Space age medical technology on show at Arab Health Conference

Smart blankets that can scan bodies and an electric toothbrush that sends feedback to a mobile phone app are just some of the items on display

Rajesh George, a product manager at GE Healthcare, presents the AIR Technology coil which is 60 per cent lighter than conventional coils. Reem Mohammed / The National

Space age technology promising to revolutionise health care and the way doctors treat their patients has been a key component of the 2018 Arab Health Conference.

One of those products on display was GE Healthcare’s AIR Technology that promises to reduce patient stress and offer a more conclusive body scan.

The blanket-type device has grown out of a $60 million development programme in collaboration with the American National Football League to help diagnose concussion in players.

GE's new set of coils are meant to increase patient comfort during whole body exams. Reem Mohammed / The National

Providing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) via an ultra-lightweight blanket that can be wrapped around the patient, it helps reduce stress and discomfort, particularly for those with injuries or conditions sensitive to pressure.

The AIR Technology coil is 60 per cent lighter than conventional coils, offering greater flexibility to help conform to patients’ anatomies and fit all patient ages, sizes and shapes.

The Signa Premier technology can perform a routine fast brain examination up to eight times faster than conventional scanning equipment.

“To detect an MRI, you need something to put on patients that can pick up the signal to collect images, but before, designs have always been fairly big and bulky,” said Rajesh George, a product manager at GE Healthcare.

“It used to be hard and heavy and needed pressure applied to the patient. This was very uncomfortable for them, particular for cancer patients.

“With a flexible coil like this, it is much lighter, so also much more comfortable. There is nothing else like this and it fits like a blanket.

“It also provides the best image quality. It can cover any part of the anatomy, and is very easy to operate.”

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Read more from the Arab Health Conference:

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Other products on display included a supersmart toothbrush by Philips.

The Sonicare Diamond Clean smart electric brush uses sensor technology to send data to a mobile phone app, helping the user with brushing techniques.

Philips also revealed its ‘parenting platform’ to help monitor sleeping behaviours of new born babies.

The Avent Digital Parenting Platform claims to be the first medical-grade baby app of its kind, allowing parents to track feeding, sleeping and access personalised health advice from a panel of health care professionals.