Star Trek has been a staple of American science ficition for decades. It was cutting edge in terms of social culture and technology when it first emerged and helped to shape the direction many real scientist and inventors point their ambitions. Several pieces of “tech” from the show have become realities over the years and now it seems we are close to adding just one more to that ever growing list.

The medical Tricorder.

Two new inventions (developed seperately) seem to be on the verge of that magical gadgetry that would routinely save Star Fleets finest. The two new inventions pack a whallop of medical technology in a small form factor.

The first, a mobile vital stats monitor, based off common tech tools such as a Bluetooth interface and a PDA, connect with ECG (heart rythms), EMG (muscle tension), GSR (skin resistance), and even body temperature and movement sensors to keep your vitals right at your finger tips. Emerging from the Berkeley Institute this small form factor and “off the shelf” parts puts other monitors to shame.

The 2nd new invention, a retro-of-the-future health tool, is the ARANZ Meical handheld wound monitor. Through laser optics nurses and patients can measure a wounds width and deepth without the need for invasive and often painful medical instructments. The tool can also be used to track the healing progression and help determine the effectivness of medical treatment.

Emerging from the entertainment field (the first “silhouette camera” that this monitor is based off of was used to help Animate Gollum from The Lord of The Rings) this device shows the ever broaden scope our technical advances are taking.

The only question now is… when will ever doctor that uses these tools be as sexy as the ones from the future?

I recently reported that CNN had posted a heart wrenching story about a young boy (Youssif) who had been set on fire by masked men. I scolded them for not providing information to their readers on how they could help (the story was all but a direct request for support).

This morning, CNN has made good and posted a follow up story providing information for a fund that has been set up by the Children’s Burn Foundation based in Sherman Oaks California.

You can read the follow up here, and donate here. Make sure you select Youssif’s Fund from the drop down menu under the “Honor/Memorial Gift Information” section.

Good job CNN. Way to follow up and do the right thing.

(FOX NEWS…. are you reading this?)