A spirometer is used to make the most common of pulmonary function tests (PFTs). It is a respiratory flowmeter that determines how well the lungs are working by measuring the amount of inhaled air, amount of exhaled air and how quickly it is exhaled. Used to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other […]
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
What is an oximeter?
Unlike an oxymoron (äksəˈmôrˌän: a combination of contradictory words), a (pulse) oximeter (äkˈsimidər) is a sensing technique to measure oxygen saturation in a person’s peripheral (capillary) blood (SpO2). Using pulses in the capillaries of the tested area, the noninvasive measurement helps to evaluate a variety of medical conditions that affect the function of the heart […]
Seismometer: What is it and what does it measure?
A seismometer is an instrument used to measure seismic (ground motion) activity caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, the use of explosives or other forces. The fundamental sensing principle for the seismometer is based on the differential motion between a free mass (which tends to remain at rest) and a supporting structure anchored in the ground […]
How big is the MEMS pressure sensor market?
According to Yole Développement’s “MEMS Pressure Sensor Comparison 2018 report,” the global microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensor market was about $1.6 billion US in 2017. It will grow by 3.8% per year to reach a value of $2B in 2023. While automotive and consumer applications are the largest markets, medical and industrial markets continue to […]
How do surgeons navigate inside a patient’s body? Part 2 of 2
Part 1 looked at various uses of X-ray technology as well as ultrasound imaging. Cameras are an essential part of many medical diagnostics as well. The lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine are examined using Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). In this procedure, the scope (a video camera with light) is inserted through […]
How do surgeons navigate inside a patient’s body? Part 1 of 2
Until the invention of X-ray technology, doctors had no way of determining what was happening inside a patient without the use of surgical tools. X-ray still is one of the first steps toward identifying many body ailments. However, determining if a blockage, restriction, stone, hemorrhage, cancer or other abnormality is present also involves many other […]
How do sensors make a smart crane safer?
Watching a crane operator elevate and transport a heavy load over a significant distance to a precise location with an articulated crane is always a fascinating and thought-provoking activity. With today’s concerns about job safety, how is safety handled in this process? Safety begins with the skill of the crane operator but today’s sensors and […]
How do you make an RF energy harvester even better?
For Powercast, whose Powerharvester receiver (PCC110) has been deployed in industrial and commercial systems for seven years, today’s answer is reduce the footprint and volume. The company’s new PCC114 receiver chip’s footprint (1 x 0.6 x 0.3 mm) is seven times smaller than the PCC110 (2 x 2.1 x 0.9 mm) and has 20 times […]
What is the future of engineering education?
Whether you have interest for a family member or friend that you would like to pursue engineering as a career choice or are just concerned about how future engineering students will be educated, the answer(s) to this question are extremely relevant. Of course, you could do a web search to see what has already been […]
What do you get when you combine 3D scanning and computed tomography (CT)?
If you are in the field of analyzing ancient Egyptian mummies, something really cool and informative. In the Sherit mummy project, researchers benefited from adding the results from a 3D scanner to a CT scan. Sherit is a mummified Egyptian child who died 2,000 years ago. Even though the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose, […]
