Every so often, a remarkable new patent emerges that promises to revolutionize our approach to a certain problem. Imagine a wearable gadget that's capable of detecting and relieving spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and burn injuries. Sounds futuristic, right? Johns Hopkins University has recently secured a patent (US20230363711A1) potentially capable of doing just that.
The issue at hand, as it stands, lies with the lack of effective treatment options for patients who have suffered traumatic injuries, which include devastating spinal cord injuries and severe burns. These injuries, particularly spinal cord injuries, heavily impact multiple systems of the body, such as cardiovascular and bladder control. Left unchecked, these injuries can result in persistent hypotension, bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, and episodes of autonomic dysreflexia, drastically degenerating such patients' quality of life. The stumbling block so far has been the inability to continuously and directly monitor these ailments, rendering real-time adjustment of therapies impossible.
That's where this revolutionary patent comes into play. Johns Hopkins' invention goes beyond merely monitoring the injured parts of the body using ultrasonic waves. This wearable gadget can also utilize these same sound waves to treat the inflicted areas. Although the figures provided in the patent depict its application to the human head, similar concepts can apply to other body parts as well.
In a post-patent world, patients grappling with traumatic injuries will gain more control over their life. They'll be able to regularly assess their condition and adjust treatments as required, without needing to venture to their doctor every time. Picture a person with a spinal cord injury sitting comfortably in his living room, his wearable gadget offering real-time data on his condition and catering to his needs without the necessity for an external aid or medical professional.
Though these inventions hold promises of altering the landscape of injury management, it's crucial to keep in mind that a patent is merely a blueprint. The possibility of seeing these wearable gadgets at your local drugstore in the imminent future remains conjectural. Nonetheless, the patent represents a profound stride towards offering much-needed relief for people living with traumatic injuries.
P.S. This is a patent and just like any other patent, there is no guaranteed that it will come in the market and become a part of our daily lives. Only time can tell if this invention becomes a reality.