How to Make a Bicycle Helmet Reminder - YOU Can Do Something to Save Your Child from Bicycle Injuries!

How to Make a Bicycle Helmet Reminder, Similar to a Vehicle Seat Belt Reminder

YOU Can Do Something to Save Your Child from Bicycle Injuries!

How many articles have you seen written on the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet, especially for children? Most of these articles offer few successful solutions. Usually, the solutions offered consist of parents reminding their children to wear helmets. 

How about having a "Bicycle Helmet Reminder", similar to the "Seatbelt Reminder" in an automobile?

 

I was surprised when I looked on the Internet. There does not seem to be such a device on the market. Therefore, I wrote this article to stimulate innovation and/or discussion to make such a device. 

Will you be the first to invent this? Consider all the lives or injuries you could save with your new device. 

It seems to me certain key elements would be necessary in such a system:

• Something would sense when the bicycle is being ridden, in motion, or someone is on the bicycle seat.
• Something would sense whether the rider is wearing a helmet or not.
• Something like a buzzer would alert when the bicycle is being ridden without a helmet.

I thought of various scenarios and came up with the combination below:

• A Pressure Sensor could be inside the helmet to detect when the helmet is being worn.
• A Pressure Sensor could be on the bicycle seat to detect when someone is on the bicycle.

These Pressure Sensors could be "Wireless", maybe RFID, and could communicate to a Central Control Module on the bike or helmet. An inexpensive open-source microprocessor, like Arduino, could be used in the Central Module. This module would make a sound, like a Seatbelt Buzzer, when the bike was being ridden without the rider wearing a helmet. The module could be solar powered to eliminate batteries. Of course, all the components would need to be weatherproof. 

There could be multiple pressure sensors within the helmet to detect proper positioning of the helmet on the rider's head. Maybe there could be one buzzer tone for "riding without a helmet" and another buzzer tone for "helmet improperly positioned". 

This cannot be so far-fetched since I did find some articles and/or patents that describe "helmet reminders". 

What I found were pieces of the above concept. Perhaps you could use the above concept, previous concepts, or devise a much better way of doing this. 

Here are some possible Action Steps, if you think this is a good idea:

• If you are handy, make such a device. Previous designs are listed below, from which you could derive some ideas. If you are not handy, find someone to make this, e.g. engineering student, free lance inventor, etc. Maybe they have some better ideas on how to do this.
• If you are a parent, you can "lobby" to have this device made. Some places to "lobby" would be local bike shops, manufacturers, government officials, etc.
• Children's hospitals can also "lobby" to have such a device made.
• If you are a student, consider this as a Science Fair Project.
• If you are an engineering student, wouldn't this be a good project to put on your future employment resume?
• As a manufacturer, you could make a new and improved Bicycle Helmet Reminder.

Takeaways:

• A "Bicycle Helmet Reminder" could save lives and injuries.
• If such a device is not available, YOU can take action steps to "make it happen".

For more information:

• Put this helmet on, else bike won't start
• Smart Helmet using Arduino Microprocessor
• RFID Motivates Schoolkids to Bike It
• Helmet with an alarm - US 5697099
• Various patents by Roger W. Lehmann et al. involving "Motion Sensitive Reminders" - one application is for bicycle helmets.
• Motion sensitive bicycle alarm - US 4980667
• Personal safety system for a vehicle - US 7973652
• Vehicle helmet warning system - US 5294914
• Electronics Project Idea: Helmet Reminder
• RFID buckle closure and presence sensor system for safety childseat - US 20070096891

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical or legal advice.

There Are Not Enough Medications or Treatments for Pediatric Cancer. Here is What You Can Do About It

What Would You Do If Your Child Had Cancer and There was No Treatment?

There Are Not Enough Medications or Treatments for Pediatric Cancer. Here is What You Can Do About It

From the recent article "Cancer drugs for children remain scarce in U.S.", I was shocked to learn that only one new drug for pediatric cancer has been available in the U.S. over the last 20 years. In addition, only 4 percent of research dollars goes for pediatric cancers. 

From what I have read so far, the problem is that drug companies do not want to make new pediatric cancer drugs because the drugs are not profitable. Other than leukemia, other childhood cancers are relatively rare. 

To encourage pharmaceutical companies to develop new pediatric cancer drugs, new U.S. laws were made, but these new laws do not seem to be very effective.

 

I did not like to hear that, so I am writing this article on what can be done to improve this situation. 

Here is what you can do to help develop new cancer treatments for children: 

1. Express your concerns to your local Congress Person.

2. Tell the U.S. President more needs to be done.

3. Contact your local Children's Hospital and ask what can be done on a local level.

4. Check out the Organizations listed below. Ask how you can help, then follow through and implement their advice.

5. Promote this cause on Social Media, e.g. Facebook.

6. Pass this article around and ask others to become involved. Some examples might be your doctor, place of worship, friends, family, work, etc. The more people asking for change, the more likely change will occur.

7. Where possible and practical, use photos and true-life stories for emphasis. It is harder to say no to a person, especially a sick child, than a statistic.

8. Keep at it. Be persistent. Do not give up. Sick kids are depending on you. 

Takeaways:

• Pediatric cancer drugs are not developed in the U.S. due to lack of profit.
• Drug makers might be encouraged to develop new drugs or treatments.
• You can help effect positive change by taking action steps. Start today.

For More Information:

The Problem:

• Cancer drugs for children remain scarce in U.S.
• Little patients, losing patience: pediatric cancer drug development

Potential Solutions:

• Kids v Cancer
• Improving cancer care for children and young people
• Childhood Cancer Caucus
• Pediatric Cancer Organizations
• Treating Children with Cancer - FDA
• "Making Better Drugs for Children with Cancer", Committee on Shortening the Time Line for New Cancer Treatments, Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, National Academies Press, 2005
• "Take Action to Strengthen Pediatric Law for Children with Cancer"
• Children's Cause for Cancer Advocacy (CCCA)
• Contact the U.S. Congress and the White House
• Good Internet Search String - (cancer OR carcinoma OR malignancy OR tumor) (drugs OR medicine OR pharmaceuticals) (kids OR children OR pediatrics)

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical advice.

Consider Recycling Medical Devices as “Alternative or Complementary” Therapy Tools

A New and Unique Way to Recycle Broken or Obsolete Medical Devices

Consider Recycling Medical Devices as “Alternative or Complementary” Therapy Tools

Medical devices and equipment become obsolete too. Sometimes, these devices are recycled for use in poverty areas, which is very good. 

Some equipment cannot be refurbished for further use, however. What happens to those devices? 

 

Usually, medical devices that cannot be refurbished are destroyed. This seems like a waste to me.
Could these devices be converted to placebo healing devices? The devices would not have to work; they just have to look like they work.

 

The Placebo Effect is well known. Whether anyone likes it or not, the placebo response is a part of any medicine or medical treatment. Much of alternative, complementary, and/or integrative medicine seems to be the placebo effect. 

A device does not have to be in working condition for the placebo effect to work. The patient just has to believe, even a little, that it is working for the placebo effect to start. 

Therefore, please consider recycling unusable medical devices into "healing machines", instead of destroying them. 

Below are some thoughts on how to implement such a plan, if so desired. 

1. First, check around and see if the above is legal in your locality. In addition, check if you are legally able to heal in your locality. Many areas of the world require a license to "practice medicine". Also, see if there is a demand for placebo powered healing machines, before you go to too much trouble. With legal clearance, go ahead with below.

2. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the device.

3. Disable the devices electrically and mechanically. Remove any spring tensions, etc. You do not want to hurt someone while trying to heal them.

4. Remove manufacturer labels or anything to show that made the device initially.

5. Now, that you have a "dead" device comes the fun part.

6. Augment the device with battery powered lights, sounds, smells, vibrations, etc. Really make it look like it is doing something. Make it impressive. Have others review the emotional impact. See if they are "wowed". Again, it should not do anything, but just look good.

7. A big part of the placebo response is the healing ritual. Develop a performance surrounding the healing machine. Involve the patient in the healing procedure, if possible. Make it believable.

8. At the end of the performance, reassure them of the healing process. Give them a small token as a remembrance of this healing process. If symptoms recur, ask them to rub the object to remind them of the ongoing healing. 

Since this a new concept, it might take a while to catch on, if at all. This might be a new and exciting field for biomedical engineers. Most medical designs do not consider the Placebo Effect at all, yet about 30% of healing is attributed to the Placebo Effect, the "Will to Live", and so on. 

Takeaways:

• Broken or obsolete medical devices could be recycled into Alternative or Complementary Healing Devices.
• Biomedical engineers could design to maximize the Placebo Effect, and therefore maximize overall healing efficiency.
• A completely new medical industry lies in wait.

For more information:

• Do medical devices have enhanced placebo effects?
• Placebo Controlled Study - See section on Medical Devices in Overview
• Placebo responses to medical device therapy for pain.
• The Importance of Placebo Effects in Pain Treatment and Research
• The placebo effect in alternative medicine: can the performance of a healing ritual have clinical significance?
• Placebo effect behind many natural cures
• Think yourself better - Alternative medical treatments rarely work. But the placebo effect they induce sometimes does
• "Placebo Therapy as an Ethical Alternative"
• How to Make Your Own Healing Machine

Disclaimer - Article is for informational use only and is not medical and/or legal advice. Seek professional help, as needed or wanted.

Animals Can Now Warn Us of an Impending Disaster, Such as an Earthquake or Tsunami

Animals Can Now Warn Us of an Impending Disaster, Such as an Earthquake or Tsunami

This Life Saving Device Might Be Tested at Zoological Parks Soon

The article "Sheep Collar Texts Shepherds When Wolves Attack" was published recently. Could animals warn us of impending natural disasters too, using this concept?

Swiss biologists recently devised a sheep collar to alert shepherds of wolves, and other dangers to their sheep. This collar monitors heart rate changes in the sheep and sends a text message when the sheep are frightened, such as when a wolf is near. 

It seems to me that animals could also "text" if a natural disaster was imminent, such as an earthquake, tsunami, and/or tornado.

• Animals seem to "know" when a natural disaster is imminent. Before an earthquake, animals become agitated or excited. Before a tsunami, animals will instinctively seek higher ground. Before a tornado, animals seem to know where to find shelter. Even zoo animals predicted a recent earthquake at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
• Heart Rate Monitors are well known now, especially for humans. There are also numerous studies on animals, especially horses. As shown in the sheep article below, animals can be equipped with heart rate collars or similar devices.
• The heart rates of several animals can be monitored simultaneously, as shown in the "Technical note: a noninvasive procedure for measuring goat heart rates". If multiple animals are agitated at the same time, perhaps a natural disaster is imminent.
• As shown in the sheep article and the article "Heartbeat monitoring alert via SMS", text messages can be sent based on elevated heartbeats.

From this information, it seems obvious to me that animals could also "text" if a natural disaster was imminent, such as an earthquake, tsunami, and/or tornado.

 

To test this theory, here is a suggested protocol:

 

1. Zoo animals in earthquake prone areas could be equipped with wireless heart rate monitors. Some animals are more earthquake sensitive than others are.

2. A central computer could receive the wireless signals from each of these animals simultaneously. If multiple animals in different locations in the zoo had elevated heartbeats, perhaps a natural disaster is imminent.

3. The computer could then issue an alert to appropriate people to investigate the situation further.

4. The computer could also compare local seismograph information and develop a probability of an earthquake occurring.

5. In any event, humans could be notified that the multiple animals are frightened of "something". This "something" could very well be a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, tsunami, and/or tornado.

6. Many lives could be saved with such a system, letting the animals "text" of an impending disaster. Perhaps government agencies and/or individual people could collaborate on the development of such a system. 

Of course many other variations of this concept could be tested, some of which are below.

• Many free-range animals in the wild have implanted physiological monitors relaying body-state conditions to wildlife study groups. Many of these devices use telemetry.
• Some farm animals have external or internal health monitors to aid the farmer.
• Probably the best way to initiate experimentation would be to build on the excellent work of others. Some information resources are below that show which animals are better than others to predict events. Some examples of earthquake sensitive animals are cats, dogs, snakes, catfish, parrots, etc. Worldwide ingenuity could develop "emotion sensors" for earthquake sensitive creatures, maybe even including earthquake sensitive people.
• Emotion sensors for humans sometimes measure perspiration rate to indicate emotional stress level. Some animals perspire and some do not. For those which do perspire, some areas of the body might be more indicative, e.g. palms of the hand in humans.

Takeaways:

• It is now known that sheep can send a text message when a wolf is nearby.
• This same concept could be used to predict and warn of an impending natural disaster, such as an earthquake, tsunami, and/or tornado.
• One place to experiment with this concept might be zoological parks in disaster prone areas.
• Previous studies, research, and/or patents might provide innovation insight.

For more information:

• Sheep Collar Texts Shepherds When Wolves Attack
• How Zoo Animals Predicted the DC Earthquake
• Polar Heart Monitors - Studies on Animals
• Technical note: a noninvasive procedure for measuring goat heart rates.
• Heartbeat monitoring alert via SMS (text message)
• Earthquakes and animals: from folk legends to science, by M. Ikeya, 2004, World Scientific
• When the Snakes Awake: Animals and Earthquake Prediction by Helmut Tributsch, Mit Press, 1984
• The earthquake handbook by Peter Verney, Paddington Press, Grosset & Dunlap, 1979 - Chapter 8
• World Patent Application - (WO2002037952) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SURVEILLANCE OF ANIMALS (shows collar-like device)
• World Patent Application - (WO2007058638) EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION METHOD (shows multiple animals)

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical or veterinary advice.