Virtual Skylights and Windows

Therapeutic Environmental Solutions markets a series of virtual skylights and windows that bring a touch of nature into the windowless rooms that are typical of many medical care settings (e.g., intensive care units and imaging centers). Looking upward at scenes from nature, as opposed to off-white ceiling tiles, has got to reduce patient stress levels, if only slightly.

Volvo Blind Spot Information System

We’re quite impressed with Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System that alerts drivers to objects in their two blind spots. So are several safety-focused organizations that have given the system awards. The system uses cameras mounted in the side view mirrors to detect objects in the blind spots and illuminates an amber lamp mounted on the pertinent mirror to notify the driver. Maybe the system is unnecessary for drivers who vigilantly use their mirrors. Then again, who hasn’t started to change lanes only to discover a car is in one’s blind spot – hopefully in time to avoid a collision. Go to Volvo’s site to see an animated demo.

Kaz’s Vicks Forehead Thermometer

Checking a child’s temperature by placing this thermometer on her forehead, rather than in her ear or other site, has considerable appeal for both child and adult. The device uses infrared technology to scan the temporal artery running across the forehead. The large LCD display’s backlight shifts from green to yellow to red to indicate if the numerical reading is normal, elevated, or indicates fever, respectively. Very intuitive! This product is one in a series of impressive, paradigm-changing thermometers from Vicks. Its innovative features and pleasing industrial design garnered it a 2007 Medical Design Excellence Award (see http://www.devicelink.com/mddi/archive/07/04/006.html).