The idea is to create a wearable device to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis through light instead of medication. The battery-powered device will be simple to use, with only a single on/off button. It will be equipped with an array of 40 high-intensity LEDs that will shine UV-free, blue light onto the skin - a therapy that has been proven to reduce the rate at which the cells divide. The device will fit both the arms and legs and can be worn at any time, making it easier to...

A hearing aid that transmits sound to the inner ear by sending vibrations through the skull could restore some hearing in people suffering from problems in the middle ear. Most hearing aids are designed for people with problems of the inner ear, and previous bone conduction-based hearing aids require the implant to be anchored in the skull bone using a titanium screw that protrudes from the skin. In comparison, the new bone conduction implant, which measures just under six...

The vision implants will let some people do away with reading glasses by automatically adjusting to bring near objects into focus. The vision implants will be implanted in just ten minutes using topical anesthesia. The key to the technology will be the inlay, an extremely thin ring with an opening in the center that will be placed beneath the surface of the cornea. The inlay will be able to adjust automatically to focus the light entering the eye - much like a camera's aperture -...

Taking advantage of the new microneedle patch technology, I suggest developing a dissolving patch that will allow patients to self-administer vaccines - painlessly. The patch will consist of microneedles only seven-tenths of a millimeter long and use dry virus-like particles instead of the usual liquid containing the dead or attenuated virus. An added stabilizing agent means the patches will not have to be refrigerated, and the precise delivery method of the small needles will...

A skin patch that delivers drugs directly into the foot could provide a new source of relief for diabetics who frequently suffer from foot ulcers. Diabetes causes both blockages in the blood vessels and hinders the formation a protein called hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1a)--a protein that triggers the genes that form capillaries at wound sites. These two factors both slow wound healing, which can in turn lead to amputation. In order to assist in the body's healing, a...

A new method of imaging brain tumors will help surgeons see precisely where the tumor ends and healthy tissue begins, guiding the doctor through the surgery. The technique will work by hitting the brain with a non-invasive laser, and then analyzing the spectrum of light that emerges. The system will be able to sense the vibrations of chemical bonds, with healthy tissue and tumors differentiated by the amount of lipids and proteins in the cells. The data will be transmitted as a...

The polycarbonate lenses of the glasses will feature an optical coating that will remove the wavelengths of light between the colors red, green and blue. This will eliminate the overlap between the red and green cone cells and allow the colors that do get through to be amplified, reducing the effects of red/green color blindness. The sturdy polycarbonate lenses will also make the glasses safe for wearing during sports or other athletic activities.

A wrist-worn device will be made of polished stainless steel and will be comfortable and lightweight. It will encourage the body to produce melatonin - the hormone that encourages good sleep.

A retinal implant that translates camera images into pulses the brain can understand could offer new treatments for vision loss. The system features a set of tiny cameras mounted to a pair of glasses. The camera's digital information is sent along a wire to a micro-fabricated thin film implanted in the back of the patient's eye, where the electrical signals stimulate the retinal nerves. The system is sealed well enough to prevent water vapor from entering the device, which...

The sensor is designed to reduce respiratory-related flareups by making it easier for COPD and asthma sufferers to keep track of their medication use, symptoms and triggers. A small sensor device will be attached to the top of the user's current inhaler, where it will pair with a smartphone to keep a record of when and where the inhaler was used. The data will be used to help monitor symptoms and find trigger patterns, which will help to reduce the number of exacerbations.