Low-Cost Water Well that also Monitors Water Level

There seems to be interest in low-cost methods of making a dual-use water well. This well would supply drinking water and also monitor the water level below ground.

Here are some links that might be helpful to those especially in developing countries....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_well - basics laid out here...also mentions "....a well constructed for pumping groundwater can be used passively as a monitoring well and a small diameter well can be pumped, but this distinction by use is common."
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/wwg410 - level monitoring methods...
http://ec.europa.eu/research/growth/pdf/nanotechnology02-conference/presspacklyngby-6d-microchem-revised-release_23-9-02.pdf - shows low cost water quality monitoring too
http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/600r03041/600r03041.pdf - remote monitoring and more...
http://people.hws.edu/halfman/Data/Reprints/RileyDataLogger.pdf - low cost data logging...
http://www.webs.uidaho.edu/gwemo/reports/Water%20Level%20Measurement%20Techniques.pdf - water level sensing methods...
http://www.cee.mtu.edu/sustainable_engineering/resources/technical/Human_Powered_Pumps_FINAL.pdf - human powered pump considerations vs. water level and other concerns
http://www.aqualliance.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/well_sounder.pdf - electric sounder and other water level considerations...
http://www.thewaterchannel.tv/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewvideo&Itemid=0&video_id=511 - info. from the WaterChannel
http://books.google.com/books?id=tzr3RiW4UhgC&pg=PA249&dq=low+cost+monitoring+well+water&hl=en&sa=X&ei=soJbT-yhFIGVgwef5fihCw&ved=0CGAQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=low%20cost%20monitoring%20well%20water&f=false - book on ground water monitoring..
http://thewaterproject.org/digging-wells-in-africa-and-india-how-it-works.asp - The Water Project
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=Water+supply+and+sanitation&title=Special%3ASearch - Water Supply and Sanitation in various countries worldwide.

Good Luck in your Ventures! 

I hope my work helps you or others.

HOW AIRPORT SCANNERS COULD REVOLUTIONIZE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

"Aside from catching flak from privacy advocates and inconvenienced travelers, airport scanners might one day serve a higher purpose. In fact, these devices could actually save your life. - http://www.trade4all.com/view_newsletters.php?email_id=40178&thetitle=How+Airport+Scanners+Could+Revolutionize+Medical+Technology&desc=...

Article has good explanation of one of the paths to a Star Trek Tricorder - T-Rays.

Great idea above, but how about using something similar to a Vulcan Mind-Meld for medical diagnosis? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_(Star_Trek)#Mind_melds - mind melds explained.

I'm working on something like a mind-meld for medical diagnosis, but you can do much better.  Springboard off my work, please!  Don't let me slow you down.  Wave as you go by.

• http://doctor-within.blogspot.com/ - my humble attempts so far...

Cheers!

Disclaimer - This and all my writings are for informational use only and are not medical advice.

Could Open Innovation Hasten The Creation of an Actual Tricorder?

Lots of folks are working to develop a device similar to a Star Trek "Tricorder".  If interested, here's some links that might help you....

• http://www.dailytech.com/New+Miracle+Diagnosis+Handheld+Medical+Scanner+800+Times+More+Sensitive+Than+Fullsize+Scanners/article12322.htm - medical scanner
• http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/13/nasa-turnes-iphone-into-chemical-sensor-can-an-app-store-reject/ - NASA creation
• http://tgideas.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html - I had forgotten I wrote this in 2008....maybe prior art for those concerned about patenting?
• http://tgideas.blogspot.com/2012/02/could-interfacing-with-doctor-within-be.html - recent post of mine...this is what I'd really like to see...is to access the "inner self" which knows everything about the body...and who knows what else?
• http://www.voicebase.com/voice_file/public_detail/86609 - recorded conversation
• http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iscanner-tricorder/id298654660?mt=8 - I-Scanner Phone App...what a wonderful brainstorming tool 
• http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/turn-your-android-phone-into-a-real-star-trek-tricorder/ - similar to above link.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yjo5QrcJkM - Using Arduino Open Source Prototyping
• http://www.scanadu.com/ - Scanadu Scanner Site
• http://nanopatentsandinnovations.blogspot.com/2012/01/star-trek-tricorder-revisited-toward.html - Laser Scanner
• http://nanopatentsandinnovations.blogspot.com/2011/09/star-trek-reality-darpa-developing.html - DARPA research
• http://nanopatentsandinnovations.blogspot.com/2011/07/cell-phones-now-global-health-tool-able.html - cell phone device
• http://www.extremetech.com/computing/114975-nano-scale-terahertz-antenna-created-hand-held-tricorders-incoming - nano antenna
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPBZuonR0LI - medical tactical station
• http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.hp48/browse_thread/thread/87e906138dd220fe/673e4d0a8b104cb5?pli=1 - tricorder simulator....brainstorming tool?
• https://www.google.com/search?tbm=pts&q=(star-trek+OR+startrek)+(tri-corder+OR+tricorder)&btnG= - patents that mention tricorder....text or prior art...
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricorder - lots of information, links to those working on this, etc.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trekkie - Star Trek fans, many of which are engineers, doctors, scientists, etc. - Great source of idea-seeds for an actual device.
• Search String - (star-trek OR startrek) (tri-corder OR tricorder) (patents OR patent OR patent-application OR how-works)
• https://www.google.com/search?q=(star-trek+OR+startrek)+(tri-corder+OR+tricorder)+(patents+OR+patent+OR+patent-application+OR+how-works)&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=h59WT5mUFJC_gAejsfiYCg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CAwQ_AUoATgK&biw=1280&bih=714 - images to brainstorm with....for those who visually invent....make brainstorming slideshow?

Tom sez - If this is such a hot topic, how about someone making a wiki for open innovation, i.e. crowd-sourcing?  This approach would benefit the world, and could very well speed along development.  Think of all the good information and idea-seeds Trekkies could provide,  many of which are now engineers, doctors, scientists, etc.

Have Fun!

Disclaimer - Article is for informational use only and is not medical advice.

Inventors Project Book...old but good brainstorming tool today.

If you're looking for ideas for inventions, here's a book that you might like...



http://books.google.com/books?id=K5QrAQAAMAAJ&q=inventors+project+book+lawrence&dq=inventors+project+book+lawrence&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xd1UT4adC4OYgwfTkZHCDQ&ved=0CEsQ6AEwAA - Inventors Project Book by Lawrence, Lucas George.  Use the Search Box to find topics of your interest.

About the author....willing to explore life as we know it....and don't know it....

• http://research.borderlands.com/wiki/L._George_Lawrence
• http://journal.borderlands.com/1997/detecting-biodynamic-signals/
• http://books.google.com/books?id=V5JwHAAACAAJ&dq=l+george+lawrence&hl=en&sa=X&ei=YuBUT-WROYGSgQfdj9W_AQ&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAA

Steam Putt-Putt or Pop-Pop Vehicle, Boat, or Who Knows What?

The movie "Ponyo" had a little putt-putt boat in it.  I thought this design might be helpful for a low-cost boat design.  Solar powered?  Applicable for big boats, ships, snowmobiles, water jets, who knows?  Power generation, green machines, why knot?

Please see below for start materials....

• http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/boat/index.htm - make your own plus lots of links...
• http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/boat/howBoatWorksl.html - explains how it works...
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_pop_boat - wiki, links, history, etc.
• http://books.google.com/books?id=R2b1ObGdR6AC&pg=PA70&dq=steam+(putt-putt+OR+pop)+boat&hl=en&sa=X&ei=V9ZUT4vxFMW0gwf2hPXyDQ&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=steam%20(putt-putt%20OR%20pop)%20boat&f=false - Make Magazine
• http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/archive/putt-putt-boats-and-engines-talk-build-tips-and-how-to__o_t__t_40752.html - Forum...networking opportunity...
• http://www.google.com/patents?id=kbdPAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=steam+(putt-putt+OR+pop)+(boat+OR+ship+OR+car+OR+automobile+OR+vehicle+OR+airplane)&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GdhUT9DrE4rjggehrYnrDQ&ved=0CD4Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=steam%20(putt-putt%20OR%20pop)%20(boat%20OR%20ship%20OR%20car%20OR%20automobile%20OR%20vehicle%20OR%20airplane)&f=false - heating railway cars...idea seed?
• http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/thermo/thermo.html - solar powered
• https://www.google.com/search?q=solar+steam+(putt-putt+OR+pop)+(boat+OR+ship+OR+car+OR+automobile+OR+vehicle+OR+airplane)&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=vdhUT6HcCsP3ggeIjI3ZDQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=714 - images...make slide show for brainstorming meeting?
• http://solarenergy4everyone.com/make-a-steam-engine-convert-to-a-solar-steam-engine-air-hog-electricity/ - solar steam power generator
• http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070303164140AAgpBhl - solar boat/water purifier
• Search String - solar steam (putt-putt OR pop) (boat OR ship OR car OR automobile OR vehicle OR airplane)

Have fun.  Be the first on your block to have a solar powered steam putt-putt tin-foil hat!

Alternative to Nitrate Fertilizer

Inexpensive nitrate fertilizers have overshadowed the research in other means of stimulating plant growth.  One such alternative explored was Electroculture.  Is this a Green Opportunity today?  Worth exploring? - Others seem to have thought so....

Start Materials...

• http://home.earthlink.net/~kernels/Diss4.html
• http://books.google.com/books/about/Inventors_project_book.html?id=K5QrAQAAMAAJ - Topic 99 and 100
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#Negative_environmental_effects
• http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1981IJBm...25..309P
• http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1918Natur.101...64V
• http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=5314723
• http://www.thebirdman.org/Index/Others/Others-Doc-Environment&Ecology/+Doc-Environment&Ecology-FoodMatters/StimulatingPlantGrowthWithElectricity&Magnetism&Sound.htm
• http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?38949-Electro-Culture--Increase-plant-growth-using-all-kinds-of-alternatives-
• http://dwechsler.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/experimenting-with-electroculture-part1/
• http://www.guelphorganicconf.ca/2011/01/electroculture-magnetoculture-new-ways-for-agriculture/
• http://www.google.com/patents?id=tJ8gAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA4&dq=(plant+OR+crop+OR+agriculture)+(electroculture+OR+electro-culture)&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0Z1TT5jsJcf_ggetn_jtDQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=(plant%20OR%20crop%20OR%20agriculture)%20(electroculture%20OR%20electro-culture)&f=false 
• http://www.google.com/patents?id=8NUZAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA8&dq=(plant+OR+crop+OR+agriculture)+(electroculture+OR+electro-culture)&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0Z1TT5jsJcf_ggetn_jtDQ&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=(plant%20OR%20crop%20OR%20agriculture)%20(electroculture%20OR%20electro-culture)&f=false 
• http://www.jstor.org/pss/2808576
• http://www.jmpee.org/JMPEE_PDFs/20-2_bl/JMPEE-Vol20-Pg65-Nelson.pdf
• http://www.google.com/patents?id=XdDWAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA18&dq=high+frequency+electrostatic+field+agriculture&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GqFTT-PtCKni0QGX98zvDQ&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=high%20frequency%20electrostatic%20field%20agriculture&f=false
• http://www.google.com/patents?id=ts0ZAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA3&dq=high+frequency+electrostatic+field+agriculture&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GqFTT-PtCKni0QGX98zvDQ&ved=0CE0Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=high%20frequency%20electrostatic%20field%20agriculture&f=false
• Search String - (plant OR crop OR agriculture) (electroculture OR electro-culture)

Good Luck in your efforts to make this a better Earth!

A New (Old) Form of Insect Control

Controlling insects by chemicals is widespread, yet it may be harmful to other than the insects.  In the past, it has been proposed using a Radio Frequency Catalyst for Insect Control.  Green Opportunity today?

Start Materials...

• http://www.bsyse.wsu.edu/tang/Previouswebsite/Resources/pdfdocs/articles-published/tang209.pdf
• http://public.wsu.edu/~sjwang/review-rf-insect.pdf
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_pest_control
• http://books.google.com/books/about/Inventors_project_book.html?id=K5QrAQAAMAAJ - Topic 98
• http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/34207/1/IND20548389.pdf
• http://www.bsyse.wsu.edu/tang/main/publications/pubmain08.html
• http://www.scribd.com/doc/51792211/magnaculture
• http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/5896696.html

Please consider this for Open Innovation, since it could benefit so many.  Wiki?

How to Reduce Fuel Consumption When Plowing

In the 1920's, research was done on using electroendosmosis to aid plowing.  Is this an untapped opportunity to reduce fuel consumption in tractors, excavators, drillers?  Green Opportunity?   Hmmm?

Start Materials...

• Inventors Project Book by L. George Lawrence - topic 15 Even shows Picture -  http://books.google.com/books?id=K5QrAQAAMAAJ&q=(Electro-osmotic+OR+electroosmosis+OR+electroendosmosis)+(plowshare+OR+plow+OR+moldboard)&dq=(Electro-osmotic+OR+electroosmosis+OR+electroendosmosis)+(plowshare+OR+plow+OR+moldboard)&hl=en&sa=X&ei=L41TT5yHN87SgQfzzPzmDQ&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAQ
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-osmosis
• http://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=13317&t=2&redir=&redirType=
• http://books.google.com/books?id=chLOAAAAMAAJ&q=(Electro-osmotic+OR+EOF+OR+electroosmosis+OR+electroendosmosis)+(plow+OR+moldboard)&dq=(Electro-osmotic+OR+EOF+OR+electroosmosis+OR+electroendosmosis)+(plow+OR+moldboard)&hl=en&sa=X&ei=44xTT-CVE4Ougwfxo6jSDQ&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAQ
• http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-NYJX602.000.htm
• http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-NYJX404.014.htm
• http://biomimetic.pbworks.com/f/Soil%2BAdhesion%2Band%2BBiomimetics%2BofRen.pdf
• http://books.google.com/books?id=ACpBAAAAYAAJ&q=(Electro-osmotic+OR+electroosmosis+OR+electroendosmosis)+(plowshare+OR+plow+OR+moldboard)&dq=(Electro-osmotic+OR+electroosmosis+OR+electroendosmosis)+(plowshare+OR+plow+OR+moldboard)&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Y45TT7TFIMSa0QGxyO3MDQ&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAw
• http://www.google.com/patents?id=5NLCAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=(Electro-osmotic+OR+electroosmosis+OR+electroendosmosis)+(plowshare+OR+plow+OR+moldboard)&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1Y5TT7KwHYiygweVy7nXDQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=(Electro-osmotic%20OR%20electroosmosis%20OR%20electroendosmosis)%20(plowshare%20OR%20plow%20OR%20moldboard)&f=false
• Search String - (Electro-osmotic OR electroosmosis OR electroendosmosis) (plowshare OR plow OR moldboard)

OK, now you have some start materials....what can you build with them?  What else can be done than that before?  Pulse voltage?  What harmless chemical can increase this effect?  

Please let others know of your results - Open Innovation. - Open Wiki?

Disclaimer - Article is for informational use only.

Bacteria Seeks Out Wounds, Promotes Rapid Tissue Growth, and Prevents Scarring - Why Not?

Your mission is to make a substance that  "When a patient was exposed to bacta, the bacterial particles within sought out wounds and promoted rapid tissue regeneration while preventing the emergence of scar tissue." - http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bacta

If you make such a substance, you will have made a new "Miracle Drug".  Science Fiction often becomes reality by the science fiction author blurting out what they imagine.

Maybe Bacta doesn't even have to work according to Science...yet it works for patients????? - Please consider the Placebo Effect.  If it works, it works.  Let Science debate how it works.

Here is some start material, in addition to the link above:

• http://guide.swcombine.com/wiki/Medicine
• http://www.swtorstrategies.com/2011/01/how-stuff-works-bacta-tanks.html
• http://www.sirstevesguide.com/archive/index.php/t-12156.html?s=df0ccd32541e83fccc4effa2f8e32453 
• http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bacta+(medical+OR+health+OR+clinic+OR+)&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=714&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=985226538653463994&sa=X&ei=1nNTT5LsDcHyggeK3eXhDQ&ved=0CEUQ8wIwAA
• http://geekbeat.tv/nexagon-makes-wounds-history/
• http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/8063023.html
• http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/search/en/WO2009075881
• http://www.google.com/patents?id=AIHZAAAAEBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Impaired+wound+healing+compositions+and+treatments%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=undTT7nyF9OG0QH934XMDQ&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAQ
• http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/11754/what-other-medical-options-are-there-in-star-wars
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo

Have Fun!....and please tell the world about your work....so others can  build on your work...open innovation....

Tom's Writing's is Now Working!

Please see http://toms-writings.blogspot.com/

Thanks

'10-Cent Medical Checkup' Using Cell Phones...Wow!

Students Strive to Develop '10-Cent Medical Checkup' Using Cell Phones - http://www.qmed.com/mpmn/medtechpulse/students-strive-develop-10-cent-medical-checkup-using-cell-phones

Bully for you CalTech Students!  :-)))))

I'd like to see more of the same from.... students all around the world...plus retirees....plus  underemployed talented people...plus engineers or scientists between jobs....plus Engineers Without Borders....Plus Doctors Without Borders....Plus Doctors, Nurses unhappy with current health methods....OK, I'll stop now....not give up, just stop for now....

Once we're on this roll.....how about having a wiki for open innovation in designing medical devices for the other 90% of the world - http://www.qmed.com/mpmn/article/little-can-go-long-way and http://www.designother90.org/cities/home

By the way....How about hooking this gizmo to Online Symptom Checker? Please see
Do It Yourself Doctoring – Wish List - http://tgideas.blogspot.com/2008/11/do-it-yourself-doctoring-wish-list.html

Low-Cost Mobile-Phone Stethoscope

I came across this article - Mobile phones offer heart lifeline- http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/science_blog/160911.html

Reminded me right away of my Electronic Stethoscope and Analyzer for under $5.00 - http://tgideas.blogspot.com/2009/07/electronic-stethoscope-and-analyzer-for.html

***********************

Tom sez - So, what's new? Looks like the idea of a home based heart monitor is indeed possible. Where do we go from here, folks?  Yes, one path is the usual where companies make it into a money making product, but.....

Here's a few ideas of what else might be done....

Take the two starts above, learn about the concepts therein, and design a cell phone that coincidentally can accurately hear heart sounds. Make the cell phone a cell phone and do not claim it can hear heart sounds. I'm not going to say why you would want to do this....but please just think of two objects....a pretty cell phone and then think of a medical device.

Maybe think of an adapter to a regular cell phone to enhance hearing ability, which coincidentally is particularly sensitive to heart sounds.

Launch these products in countries where they really need them....third world developing rural areas....then let them trickle back to the developed countries.

Start a wiki on this topic and let it be developed open source...similar to the open eeg project.

Write articles on how this could be done, so others can build on your work. Retired engineers come to life!

Find work to build on....libraries can help....post on Facebook or LinkedIn...."anyone working on a cheap cell phone device that is good for listening to heart sounds?  Collaborate all around the world.

See if there are some good open source heart sound diagnosis tools to couple the cell phone too.  Cell phone app?

Maybe expand your thinking to more than heart sounds....bowel sounds....pediatrics....etc.

Once you get this open innovation thinking going on the Affordable Home based Stethoscope....please keep it going for other low cost health devices....make a list and check it twice....

Good Luck!

Ideas for Medical Devices - Imagine, if you will, a "Little Black Bag" from the Future

Here's a brainstorming tool, if you're into Medical Device Innovation.  Please see below.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Black_Bag - ""The Little Black Bag" is a short story by science fiction author Cyril M. Kornbluth, first published in the July, 1950 edition of Astounding Science Fiction."


Videos....
 From BBC - 

The Little Black Bag (1/3)

The Little Black Bag (2/3)

The Little Black Bag (3/3)

Original....

Tales of Tomorrow - The Little Black Bag (1/3)

Tales of Tomorrow - The Little Black Bag (2/3)

Tales of Tomorrow - The Little Black Bag (3/3)

Could "Interfacing with the Doctor Within" be viewed as a Star Trek Tricorder?

See "$10million prize offered to design a Star Trek tricorder" - http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronics-blogs/10million-prize-offered-to-design-a-star-trek-tricorder/39536/

After you have read that, then please see - "Interfacing with the Doctor Within" - http://doctor-within.blogspot.com/

It seems like the brain knows what's going on in the body....or we would have died out long time ago due to a simple cold, flu, or minor injury. By and large, the body heals itself.  How would it do that if it didn't know what needed fixing.  Why not tap into that knowledge base?

Who sez it can't be done?  I'm working on it.  I'm sure you can do much better though.  If interested, build on my work.  Have at it...and make yourself a bundle!

Good Luck to You!

For history of Tricorder, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricorder

Design Notes for Low-Cost Products

Here’s an ongoing index of my DESIGN NOTES FOR LOW-COST PRODUCTS for Low-Income People throughout the world - https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASxQMXIbYsLcZHN3eHE0a18zNWM5Znd4YzVz



Some uses for this might be....

• Brainstorming new products or services
• Research for low cost solutions
• Springboard to find more of the same
• History lesson of old patents
• Science Fair Projects

Good Luck!

Innovation and New Product Development in Do-It-Yourself Healthcare

Innovation and New Product Development in Do-It-Yourself Healthcare - 

Are you looking for new product or diversification ideas for your company, particularly in this economic recession? Well, there is a hidden gem out there that you might be able to cash in on – Do It Yourself Healthcare.

There is a growing trend in the world for this DIY Healthcare, partly out of need and partly because people want to be more active in their own healthcare. 

As a gauge of public interest, Google gives the following results:
Symptom Checker - 1,630,000 hits
Do It Yourself Health Doctor - 34,200,000 hits

The do-it-yourself movement is not new. Some examples of how this happened before are as follows....

http://www.brainreactions.com/innovation-and-new-product-development-in-do-it-yourself-healthcare.html

Tom's Writings - New Blog - News of all my writing and inventing

Hello All – FYI – I now have a news hub for all my writing and "virtual inventing" – Tom's Writings | TG Ideas LLC

If you want to know of all my activities then please “Follow by E-Mail” or “Subscribe” on Tom's Writings.

I’m off to a fresh start in my blogging. Stay tuned. I’m so excited to start writing, researching, inventing again. 

Best Wishes to you in your endeavors. 

Tom

1. Tom's Writings | TG Ideas LLC (Hub) – New Blog

2. Ideas for Products or Inventions

3. Do It Yourself Health Care

4. Health Information Your Doctor Might Not Even Know About....(Or Might Not Want You to Know About!) – New Blog

5. Interfacing with the Doctor Within

6. Mind-Body Healing Machines - formerly titled Virtual Healing Machine

7. Exploring Life As We Don't Know It – New Blog

8. Other Writings – Yahoo Voices, Helium, etc.

Tom's Personal Clinic

Here's what "Tom's Personal Clinic" looks like so far. See my Do It Yourself Doctoring Blog for the progress reports.

Let me know if you want to know more or would like to see this setup in person! Feel free to pass this along to others who might be interested.


So far, here's what I can do....

Urine/Saliva pH,

10 panel urine test,

Average Blood Pressure,

Phonocardiograph, - Click here for "how to make"

Endoscope/Otoscope, etc. - Click here for more "how to" information

* Internet access to Symptom Checkers and other Health Information.

* Ability to send my test results to my Healthcare Professional, or anyone else, if I want to - Telemedicine.


All this was done for under $500, including $250 for a used computer.

Click here to see the report I took to the doctor. My doctor was impressed!

Future activities include additional DIY tests, "Super Symptom Checker", Telemedicine, and Interfacing with the Doctor Within. Good Luck on your own DIY Healthcare Journey!

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW-COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.. I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://my.athenet.net/~ideas


Thanks!

Home Endoscope

Hello All - I've added a Home Endoscope to "Tom's Personal Clinic" and it works great! I can use it as an Otoscope, for closeups of skin conditions, and for other endoscope functions. I've taken pictures to my doctor and he was impressed. We both could see telemedicine opportunities for this.

You can see pictures of this at http://picasaweb.google.com/tgideas/20090729#.

I bought it on eBay for about $60 using the words home endoscope. I'm still learning how to use it but thought I'd get this out to you via this Blog, in case you haven't heard of it.


That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW-COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.. I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://my.athenet.net/~ideas

Thanks!

Electronic Stethoscope and Analyzer for under $5.00

Hello All - This posting looks at designing "Low-Cost Electronic Stethoscopes – Heart/Lung Sound Analyzers."

First off, here's something I made for under $5.00. Essentially, I modified a pre-natal heartbeat monitor with a standard stethoscope head, then fed the results into an open-source heart/lung analysis software program.

Below are instructions and see photo album at http://picasaweb.google.com/tgideas/20090716#

1. Find a prenatal heart monitor. I bought mine at a charity shop for $3.00.

2. I found it works better to have an external standard stethoscope head attached to the monitor. Use a plumbing gasket and flexible tubing. Glue the gasket into the monitor head. Push the tubing into the gasket. Connect the other end of the tubing to a standard stethoscope head. I suppose you could use a small funnel if you can't find a stethoscope head.

3. On my monitor, I force the LISTEN button permanently down with a soda bottle cap and duct-tape. I then only use the ON/OFF volume control to turn the monitor on/off and adjust volume.

4. Connect the output of the monitor to the input of a laptop.

5. Download for free - Thinklabs Phonocardiography Open-Source Software

6. You're done! I plan to take a printout of my heartbeat and lung sounds with me on my next physical exam, along with normal heart and lung sound printouts too.

7. Long term, I plan to send these sounds and analysis to my doctor (telemedicine).

If you don't like what I did – here's a few others...plus some other links you might find useful.
http://nielsolson.us/Haversian/2007/12/stethophone.php

http://www.ymec.com/hp/signal2/heart1.htm

http://www.electronics-lab.com/projects/science/019/index.html

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-a-high-tech-spy-stethoscope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqjxOapIKbE

http://www.openheartsurgery.com/heart_sounds.html

If you still don't see what you're looking for, check out these patents. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active. Patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date) are free to use by anyone. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
Electronic sound amplifier stethoscope with visual heart beat and blood flow ...US Pat. 4783813 - Filed Dec 24, 1986

Universal stethoscope amplifier with graphic equalization and teaching and ...US Pat. 5832093 - Filed Jan 4, 1996

Compact hybrid stethoscopeUS Pat. 4528690 - Filed Mar 12, 1984

ACOUSTIC AND ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPEUS Pat. 3247324 - Filed Jun 26, 1964

AMPLIFIED STETHOSCOPEUS Pat. 2419471 - Filed Oct 28, 1944

Noise-reducing stethoscopeUS Pat. 5492129 - Filed Dec 3, 1993

In addition, here's some Idea Seeds for new and improved versions.
* Computer assisted heart/lung sound analysis with preliminary diagnosis. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17701776 and http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=548236

* Garment showing best places to place the stethoscope head for untrained people. Also, this could be shown in a training video.

* Indicator on stethoscope head showing best place for heart and lung sounds for the untrained user.

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW-COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.. I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://my.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Low-Cost Village Sanitation

Hello All - This posting looks at designing a "Low-Cost Village Sanitation" dedicated to the Engineers Without Borders, University of Wisconsin-Platteville chapter. Good Luck on your upcoming trip to Ghana!

The topics in this posting might be helpful in providing basic survival needs, making into products to sell, or instructions for people to make devices themselves.

As a start, how about these Low-Cost Village Sanitation patents. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active. Patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date) are free to use by anyone.

DECOMPOSITION TOILETUS Pat. 3921228 - Filed Apr 1, 1974 -

IMPROVEMENT IN PRIVIESUS Pat. 109160 -

PRIVYUS Pat. 432461 - Filed Apr 7, 1890

PRIVYUS Pat. 1290886 - Filed Jan 3, 1918 -

READY-BUILT METAL OUTSIDE PRIVYUS Pat. 2573838 - Filed Feb 3, 1947

COMBINED SEPTIC TANK AND PRIVYUS Pat. 1281528 - Filed Sep 5, 1916

IMPROVEMENT IN PRIVY-HOUSESUS Pat. 147266 - Filed Dec 9, 1873 -

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FERTILIZERS FROM NIGHT-SOILUS Pat. 151905 - Filed May 23, 1874 -

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING FERTILIZERS FROMUS Pat. 183242 - Filed Jun 21, 1876 -

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MANURE FROM NIGHT-SOILUS Pat. 200731 - Filed Jan 4, 1878 -

FERTILIZERUS Pat. 232756 - Filed May 19, 1879 -

APPARATUS FOR MAKING FERTILIZER FROM NIGHT SOILUS Pat. 548561

IMPROVEMENT IN TREATING NIGHT-SOIL FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSESUS Pat. 39472

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FERTILIZERS FROM NIGHT-SOILUS Pat. 129739 -
IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FERTILIZERS FROM NIGHT-SOILUS Pat. 151905 - Filed May 23, 1874 -

Weak alkaline organic fertilizer from organic waste including food waste and ...US Pat. 6793704 - Filed Dec 10, 2001

METHOD OF CLARIFYING NIGHT SOIL WITH BACTERIAUS Pat. 3219576 - Filed Apr 20, 1962 -
MEANS FOR DEODORIZING AND DRYING NIGHT-SOIL AND THE LIKEUS Pat. 950977 - Filed Jul 15, 1908 -

COMPOST TOILETUS Pat. 3840907 - Filed Sep 6, 1972 -

Method for natural biochemical decomposition of latrineUS Pat. 4001108 - Filed Jun 23, 1975

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting.

CLTS - Community-Led Total Sanitation

Community-led total sanitation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Google results for Community Led Total Sanitation

Google results for Rural Sanitation

YouTube - THE NEW WAVE- Scaling Up Sustainable Sanitation in Rural ...

YouTube - Awakening - Total Sanitation in Bangladesh - Part 1

YouTube - Water and sanitation: a partnership for change

YouTube - Sanitation: A Perfect Deal!

YouTube - WECF film on Safe Sanitation

YouTube - Community-Led Total Sanitation in Bangladesh

YouTube - East Timor Water & Sanitation - Part 1 of 5 Community ...

YouTube - Awakening: Achieving Total Sanitation in Bangladesh

YouTube - Ecosan toilet in Bangalore,India - Towards sustainable ...

How to Build a Composting Toilet - wikiHow

How to Build a Compost Toilet eHow.com

How to Build an Outhouse eHow.com

YouTube - Ecosan toilet in Bangalore,India - Towards sustainable ...

YouTube - Pump Aid and the Elephant Toilet

YouTube - Water and sanitation: a partnership for change

YouTube - Sanitation in Ethiopia

YouTube - WaterSanitation's Channel

How to Build a Dry Toilet eHow.com

YouTube - Affordable Compost Toilets for the World's Rural Poor

YouTube - Towards Clean Cities: Addressing Sanitation in Urban India

Water And Sanitation Videos - Metacafe

Find your local library at Libweb and ask about Community Led Sanitation or Rural Sanitation.

You could ask for help from an Engineering School. Find schools at All Engineering Schools.

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.

+ You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.

+ You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.

+ You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.

+ Existing manufacturers could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.

+ Build on the work of others. Maybe, use patent images instead of starting with a blank sheet of paper. Computer model other's designs and make the designs better or cheaper or simpler. You don't have to "reinvent the wheel" . Design around active patents.

+ You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas.

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW-COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.. I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Low-Cost People Powered Corn Grinder

Hello All - This posting looks at designing a "Low-Cost People Powered Corn Grinder" dedicated to the Engineers Without Borders, University of Wisconsin-Platteville chapter. Good Luck on your upcoming trip to Ghana!

The topics in this posting might be helpful in providing basic survival needs, making into products to sell, or instructions for people to make devices themselves. Good Luck!

As a start, how about these People Powered Corn Grinder patents. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active. Patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date) are free to use by anyone.
GRINDING-MILLUS Pat. 525473 - Filed Nov 25, 1893 -
CORN CUTTING AND GRINDING MILLUS Pat. 230547 - Filed Dec 12, 1879
GRINDING-MILLUS Pat. 11181
IMPROVED PORTABLE GRINDING-MILLUS Pat. RE316
GRINDING-MILLUS Pat. 20734
Mill for grinding granular materialUS Pat. 4807818 - Filed Oct 27, 1986
DRIVING DEVICE OPERATED BY THEUS Pat. 1933654 - Filed Jun 9, 1930
CORN HUSKERUS Pat. 224588 - Filed Jan 2, 1879

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting.
Pedal Powered Grain Mill Project Summary - Looks Good!
Pedal Power Dynapod
Processing Machines,Hand Operated Machine,Juice Machine,Pop Corn ...
Appropriate technology sourcebook‎ - Page 469
by Ken Darrow, Kent Keller, Rick Pam, Volunteers in Asia, inc - Technology & Engineering - 1981 - 816 pages
Appropriate Technology Sourcebook‎ - Page 196
by Ken Darrow, Kent Keller, Rick Pam, Volunteers in Asia - Technology & Engineering - 1981 - 816 pages
Appropriate technology sourcebook‎
1978
Page 196
How to Build a Plumping Mill: 9 steps - wikiHow
How to Build a Plumping Mill eHow.com
Michigan Tech Media Relations Story#876 - Low Tech, High Impact ...
Gristmill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Find your local library at Libweb and ask about People Powered Corn Grinders.
You could ask for help from an Engineering School. Find schools at All Engineering Schools.

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.
+ You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
+ You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
+ You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
+ Existing manufacturers of Trash Handling System/Incinerator could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
+ Build on the work of others. Maybe, use patent images instead of starting with a blank sheet of paper. Computer model other's designs and make the designs better or cheaper or simpler. You don't have to "reinvent the wheel" . Design around active patents.
+ You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas.

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW-COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.. I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!