Walyou

Biovigil Tells If Doctors Washed Their Hands When Entering a Patient’s Room

Posted: 22 Aug 2014 01:40 PM PDT

Rumor (and statistics) has it that doctors often forget to wash their hands before entering a patient’s room, something that should be mandatory in any health institution. Biovigil is a badge that reminds them of this detail, just in case it slips their mind.

By no means am I trying to accuse doctors and nurses of negligence. I know how stressful of an environment a hospital can be, and even though most of them are accustomed to this way of life ever since med school, it is not impossible for them to forget such small things as washing their hands.

Brent Nibarger, chief client officer at Biovigil Hygiene Technologies, points out that “the problem is invisible. The bacteria and things that get transported, you can't see it. We often say if the bugs glowed orange or green or yellow you could solve this more powerfully.”

He also added that “A five-year-old can understand it, and a 90-year-old patient understands it. Everyone understands traffic light simplicity. Once you wear this on your chest and have your first patient interaction it instantly changes the accountability and behavior, because no one is going to be running around with a red badge, except in rare circumstances.”

Even though wall-mounted solutions for this problem already exist, Nibarger explained that “if you slow down the natural work flow pattern, when you're doing this 140 times per shift, users will have a very hard time adopting a solution.”

As Niberger knows, “If you're not solving the problem at the point of care, and not communicating that the problem is being solved to patients, family members, coworkers in a tangible way, you're not going to see the impact you're expecting.”

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the bizarre 3D printed mold that cleans your teeth in 6 seconds, and the Oral-B smartphone-connected toothbrush.

New Matter MOD-t Is a Desktop 3D Printer for Enthusiasts

Posted: 22 Aug 2014 01:39 PM PDT

Once a field dominated by industrial applications, 3D printing is now becoming more accessible, not to mention more affordable. New Matter’s MOD-t 3D printer is an example of both, as it is crowdfunded and comes at a relatively low price.

A day and age will come when every household will have a 3D printer. As with conventional printers, the consumables might actually be more expensive than the device itself, but in time the prices will inevitably drop, while the quality will rise. New Matter made a purpose from creating a desktop 3D printer that’s easy to use and affordable, while also providing great quality. MOD-t, the latest 3D printer developed by this company, seems to tick all the boxes.

What makes MOD-t a lot cheaper than its counterparts is the 2-axis motion system that moves and supports the build plate at the same time. In numbers, this 3D printer measures 380 x 280 x 365mm and weighs 5kg, fact that makes it quite suitable for desktops. It is also customizable, to some degree, as buyers can opt to get it either in black or white.

Another aspect that distinguishes MOD-t from other similar products is the online model store that will be launched simultaneously with the printer. That doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to make your own designs at home, just that a lot of relevant models will be available right away for you to download or buy.

On top of that, New Matter will enable people to sell their designs and earn money. This is definitely a new take on 3D printing that other companies dared not approach.

New Matter’s MOD-t 3D printer was featured on Indiegogo until the end of July, where it raised nearly double the initial goal of $375K. Since the campaign was successful, anyone who pledged $249 will get their MOD-t printer in June 2015. Judging by the success of this project, I’d say that a lot of people were excited to have a 3D printer on their desktop, and considering the low price and the innovations brought by New Matter, MOD-t clearly made it to the top of their lists.

The Indiegogo page has far more details than I could write in here, including technical ones, so if you’re into that, head over there to learn more about what MOD-t can do.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the BioPen that helps surgeons 3D print orthopedic implants, and the dinosaur models that can be 3D printed at home.