Imagine a tiny computer that doesn’t need electricity to work, but instead uses air to keep people safe.
This is the idea behind a new invention that could help prevent blood clots and strokes by ensuring certain medical devices function properly.
The device, developed by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, is a small air-powered computer that can detect problems in a medical machine called an Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) device.
IPC devices are worn around the legs and periodically fill with air to squeeze the legs, which helps blood flow and prevents dangerous blood clots from forming. These clots can block blood vessels, leading to strokes or even death.
Normally, IPC devices rely on electronics to operate and monitor their performance, making them expensive.
However, this new air-powered computer does away with most of the electronics, making the device cheaper and potentially more reliable, especially in situations where electronics might fail, such as in very humid or hot environments.
The air-powered computer works by using compressed air to move through 21 tiny valves. These valves are like switches that control the flow of air, similar to how electronic circuits control the flow of electricity.
The device checks whether the IPC machine is working correctly by counting the air pressure changes, which correspond to a sequence of “ones” and “zeroes.” If everything is fine, the device stays quiet. But if there’s a problem, it blows a whistle to alert medical staff that the machine needs attention.
This technology, which has been around for over a century but fell out of favor with the rise of electronic computers, is now being used in a new way. Air-powered systems, like those used in old player pianos, are proving to be useful again in specific situations. For example, they can operate safely in environments where electronics might be dangerous or unreliable.
The lead researcher, William Grover, and his team demonstrated the effectiveness of their invention by intentionally damaging an IPC device. As soon as the device became unusable, the air-powered computer immediately blew its whistle, showing that it could detect the problem quickly and effectively.
But this is just the beginning. Grover hopes to apply this technology to other dangerous tasks. For instance, in grain silos, where people sometimes have to go inside to move large piles of grain, there’s a risk of getting trapped if the grain shifts. Grover envisions using air-powered robots instead of humans for these tasks, reducing the risk of accidents without the danger of sparks that could cause explosions.
This research shows that sometimes, old ideas can offer the best solutions to modern problems, especially when it comes to creating safer, more affordable technologies.
