Autonomic Technologies Inc. has created a new device to help individuals suffering from daily headaches and migraines. This new piece of technology is surgically implanted into one side of the head where nerves associated with headaches are located. The device is very small and is permanent. When the individual with the implanted device feels an oncoming headache or migraine, he/she is to place a wireless remote to his/her cheek, activating the device. The device is said to work within 15 minutes, ridding the individual of the throbbing headache or migraine. The device works by blocking pain-causing neurotransmitters.

 

Why it is relevant.

The reason that this design is relevant to Human-Centered Computing is because of how interactive it is with the individual it belongs to. Not only is this device a man-made object used by people, it is also implanted into the body just as a pacemaker would be implanted into the human body. The individual using a wireless remote to enable the device is another form of interaction between technology and the human.

 

Skills used to do this work.

Some of the people involved:

 

–       Neurologist

–       Surgeon

–       Doctor/with a focus on headaches and migraines

–       Designer with a background in neurology

–       A patient with chronic headaches or migraines

 

Am I interested in doing this type of work?

Although I find this work fascinating, I do not believe that this would be the type of work for me after taking this course, or even after graduating from this program. I enjoy reading about new technologies helping individuals who are struggling and especially enjoy learning about breakthroughs like this; however, due to the stressors of manipulating the human body, I believe this project would be too stressful for me to enjoy.

 

Stacklin, J. (2013). A Remote-Controlled Device to Stop Severe Headache Pain. http://news.yahoo.com/a-remote-controlled-device-to-stop-severe-headache-pain-181739418.html