Roundup: New algorithm detects source of epileptic seizure and more briefs

IIT Delhi researchers develop algorithms that detect epileptic seizure source

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi have come up with a novel algorithm that can localise the epileptogenic zone using a patient’s EEG data.

In cases of drug-resistant epilepsies, neurosurgeons have to first determine the exact origin and extent of structural abnormalities in a patient’s brain before they could operate on them through surgery. Evaluating such abnormalities typically involves invasive procedures that could take between 2-8 hours. 

The team developed a brain source localisation framework for epilepsy focal detection that is said to be “time-efficient and patient-friendly”. 

Based on a press statement, the array processing algorithms, which are based on novel head harmonics, can point coordinates “within minutes”. 

The researchers have validated the algorithms on clinical EEG data for epileptogenic zone localisation in a study published in Nature Scientific Reports.

University of Hong Kong engineers create coin-sized biosensing platform 

A research team in the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Engineering has developed a tiny biosensing system for personalised health monitoring.

Called PERfECT (Personalised Electronic Reader for Electrochemical Transistors), it is touted to be the world’s smallest system of its kind which can be integrated with a smartwatch or serve as a patch for continuous monitoring of parameters such as blood sugar level, antibody concentration in blood, and sweat.

“Our wearable system is tiny, soft and imperceptible to wearers, and it can do continuous monitoring of our body condition,” said Dr Shiming Zhang, who heads the research team.

According to the researchers, the coin-sized system can read weak electrochemical signals with a data sampling rate of up to 200 kilosamples per second – a performance on par with bulky commercial equipment.

The PERfECT system can serve as a miniaturised electrochemical station for wearable devices and can be immediately applied in multiple wearable systems based on low-voltage transistors. 

To make this technology accessible, the HKU research team has reportedly set up a startup called SESIC.

Mental health app ThoughtFull partners with AIA Malaysia

AIA Malaysia is integrating online mental health support from digital mental health app ThoughtFull into its corporate insurance offering.

Under this partnership, ThoughtFull’s digital mental health services will become part of AIA Malaysia’s Corporate Solutions portfolio.

The tie-up comes as a new report by Mercer Marsh Benefits found that one in three insurers in Asia does not provide mental health coverage as part of their insurance plans. 

“Physical health and illnesses have traditionally been widely covered by insurance but the same can’t be said for mental health and illnesses in this region. This coverage gap, and consequently, the inherent costs of seeking mental health and well-being services have been a barrier to access for many,” said ThoughtFull CEO and founder Joan Low.