Events

Past Webinar – Unlocking Success: FDA Regulatory Strategies for AgeTech Devices and AI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dpRR_cDPPs Abstract:  This webinar explores regulatory strategies for bringing AgeTech devices and AI innovations to market under FDA oversight. Panelists provided an overview of FDA pathways, including 510(k), De Novo, and Pre-Market Approval (PMA), highlighting how device classification and intended use shape regulatory requirements. Discussion emphasized unique challenges for software as a medical device (SaMD), clinical decision support (CDS) tools, and AI/ML-enabled technologies, including validation standards and cybersecurity mandates. Speakers underscored the importance of aligning regulatory strategy with business models and offered guidance on leveraging Pre-Submission processes and breakthrough device designation to accelerate approval. Real-world insights from wearable device development illustrated the complexities of clinical validation, reimbursement planning, and risk-based regulation.You will gain practical knowledge on navigating FDA processes to responsibly develop and deploy AgeTech innovations for older adults. About the Speakers:  Ameet Sarpatwari, PhD,…

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Award: Gold Winner at McKnight’s Tech Awards in Falls Prevention, Management or Detection Category

The Gold went to Butlr and Ranagard Community for “Butlr: AI for earlier intervention.” By passively monitoring movement patterns via thermal sensors, Butlr Care alerts staff members when residents need assistance. The sensors detect movement but are purposely designed to be unable to capture any personally identifiable information. At Ranagard Community, 2,500 Butlr sensors were installed across 700 apartments. The return on investment has been evident in time and cost savings, increased revenue, better use of staff and a reduction in falls. Source: https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/gurwin-takes-best-of-show-as-2024-mcknights-tech-awards-honors-dozens-of-winners/

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Past Webinar – Comprehending Human Behaviors using Wireless Sensing on Everyday Wearables, Cheng Zhang

https://youtu.be/glSoPDySruI?si=3vaFP2iwT9eKCDN2 Abstract: Despite the rapid advancement of AI, computers' ability to comprehend human behaviors remains limited. For instance, commodity computing devices still face challenges in understanding even basic human daily activities such as eating and drinking. The primary obstacle lies in the absence of suitable sensing technologies capable of capturing and interpreting high-quality behavioral data in everyday settings. In this presentation, I will share my research on the development of everyday wearables that are minimally-obtrusive, privacy-aware, and low-power, yet capable of capturing and comprehending various body movements and poses that humans employ in their everyday activities. First, I will show how these sensing technologies can empower various everyday wearable form factors, including wristbands, necklaces, earphones, headphones, and glasses, to track essential body postures, such as facial expressions, gaze, finger poses, limb poses, as well as…

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Past Webinar – Sustainable Ear-Worn Systems for HCI and BCI: Design, Development, and Deployment, VP Nguyen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUKKp4Fazno&t=3s&pp=ygUNYTIgY29sbGVjdGl2ZQ%3D%3D Abstract: This talk introduces curiosity-driven research that explores science and technology to build the next generation of ear-worn computer systems that are robust, sustainable, cost-effective, low-burden, and socially acceptable, thereby unlocking new applications in human-computer interaction and brain-computer interface. Yet, the development of these systems brings significant challenges, demanding a rethinking of hardware and software frameworks, advanced ML algorithms, and significant interdisciplinary efforts. I will present our approaches to fill the gaps and build practical ear-worn computers, highlighted by motivating applications our lab has worked on: interactive computing and disease monitoring and intervention. Additionally, I will share insights gained from deploying these systems in various real-world settings and discuss future research directions.  Biography: VP Nguyen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science at the Manning College of Information & Computer Science at UMass Amherst…

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Funding: $38 million in Series B funding secured with an emphasis on growth in the senior living community sector

“Our focus for this strategic funding is to continue to support enterprise customers and meet the strong demand for our technology in senior care.”Honghao Deng, CEO and co-founder, Butlr Burlingame, Calif. – August 26, 2024 – Butlr, a physical AI (PAI) startup, today announced $38M in Series B funding to meet the increasing demand for its sensors and anonymous data that can be used in any building to better understand how humans interact in a space. This results in more collaborative, energy efficient and safer buildings where people work and live. Butlr’s primary customers are in senior living communities and workplaces, with a growing interest among brick-and-mortar retailers. To date, the company has raised $68 million with Foundry as the lead investor for Series B.   An MIT Media Lab spinout, Butlr has patented the combination…

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NIH Research Highlight: 2024 NIH Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Research Progress Report – Understanding Risk and Protective Factors for Dementia | Spotlight: Blood pressure and dementia risk

The pilot project led by Ed Wang was spotlighted in the 2024 NIH Alzheimer's and Related Dementias annual research project report in the section focused on understanding the associated risk dementia factor of uncontrolled high blood pressure. Results from this early pilot study demonstrate the potential of smartphone-based blood pressure devices, which in the near future could help improve the accessibility of long-term blood pressure monitoring. This improved improved access to low-cost blood pressure monitoring has the potential to reduce a major contributing factor to dementia risk. Source: 2024 NIH Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Research Progress Report: Advances and Achievements

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New Product Versions: Sonde Health Introduces Innovative Cognitive Fitness Health Tracking Solution

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sonde Health is expanding its leading health monitoring platform beyond mental and respiratory fitness by introducing an innovative cognitive fitness tracker that allows users to monitor brain exertion, or cognitive effort, in real time. This new solution, called Sonde Cognitive Fitness, analyzes eight vocal characteristics from 30-second voice interactions and generates a score to provide insight into one’s cognitive state, helping people manage their mental well-being and productivity effectively. By tracking their cognitive fitness, individuals can identify and monitor cognitive effort levels, take steps to optimize their productivity and performance, and enhance their well-being by reducing cognitive strain. Sonde Cognitive Fitness launches as almost one in five people over age 50 worldwide is affected by mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and more than 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia — a figure that's projected to nearly triple by 2050. In early July, the U.S. Food…

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