does anybody have any great ideas for inventions for nurses or medicine?

here are a few I would like to see....though i haven't the slightest idea on how to build them.

1) bloodless device to check blood sugar (something like a pulse ox)

2) hemodyalisis machine that fits in a purse of back pack (for home use)

3) a perfusion device to keep recovered organs useable for longer periods of time

4) wireless telepack/telebox

5) iv pumps that NEVER BEEP, that is, self correcting iv pumps

6) implantable dialisis machine (like an artificial kidney)

just a few ideas.

wondering if there are any other inspiring inventers out there

For number 1, there is technology on the way. Not as good as what you had in mind, but if you are interested: http://www.orsense.com/Glucose

Good luck with your inventing career, i would definately like to see any of the above in practice!!!

hmmmmm, shoes with wings, a watch that has the ability to make time stand still so I can get ALL my work done, and a magic wand to right the wrongs. lol.

Just kidding, but I've heard about #1 being available in the near future, though not as you described it.

IV pumps that don't beep in the room ..just at the nurses station so that when it does go off patients and their families don't yell at you for not getting there for 3 minutes! They will never know when its beeping and you can finish what your doing and keep your prioritizing straight!

In addition to the above device, I know that biomedical engineering professors at my alma mater (Texas A&M) were involved in research on optical scanners for blood glucose determination several years ago. It's interesting stuff.

Peritoneal dialysis is also giving some patients a lot more freedom than the traditional routine of spending hours per day in a hemodialysis center.

I have been waiting for wireless teleboxes! Lol. I keep saying I'm going to invent bluetooth capable teleboxes and electrodes! And I think everything should be wireless....if i have to trip over one more cord i don't know what I'll do!

I'm waiting for the Star Trek scanner device the medical officers used to wave over the body parts and apparently got lab and other diagnostic readings.

I'm waiting for some genius to make the two components of the electronic fetal monitor (cardio and toco) into two small discs, maybe no larger than a silver dollar or so, without cords or wires, which would adhere to the skin and work, and not come loose with sweat, movement, and while soaking in water. They would work no matter where the patient was on the unit or at home, even in the bathroom or with thick walls. (I think if men got pregnant this device would have been invented long ago.)

Not to state the obvious here, but you do realize that lots of everyday devices in medicine have indeed been invented by nurses, right? And you've just exposed your wonderful ideas which are great, by the way, for some callous soul to research, possibly invent prototypes, hence, stealing your thunder, not to mention the potential monetary gain!

I want all nurses to be assigned a handheld unit at the start of each shift, like a Blackberry. It will have visual monitor capability as well as tele capability so I can see and hear into my patients' rooms, and glance at their EKG instantly. To heck with HIPAA.

I want everyone on a tele monitor so that some vitals are continuously done, regardless of patient's condition.

I want voice charting, so I talk my charting into dictation like docs do, and I don't have to write or type or any of that.

I want private rooms.

I want a good restaurant on premises that delivers to the floor.

I want to be able to shower and change at work before I go home. I'd actually be willing to pay to have my uniforms done at work so I wouldn't have to drag all that bacteria around with me.

I want all nurses to be assigned a handheld unit at the start of each shift, like a Blackberry. It will have visual monitor capability as well as tele capability so I can see and hear into my patients' rooms, and glance at their EKG instantly. To heck with HIPAA.

...

I want a good restaurant on premises that delivers to the floor.

I want to be able to shower and change at work before I go home. I'd actually be willing to pay to have my uniforms done at work so I wouldn't have to drag all that bacteria around with me.

Ooh, yeah, uniforms done at work! Decent sized lockers, one for every nurse, would be an improvement too. Like a concierge service for the staff! The hospital should also have discount rates available to staff for massages, health clubs, and the like. Great idea. I second the requirement for great food available to the staff -- make it 24/7. The handheld monitor is brilliant -- along with my EFM improvement I want a handheld screen so that I can look at any strip on the floor I want to, and for it to alert me if there are deviations in any FHTs.

And a good selection of decent cable TV channels, with some movies available, even if some are PPV, for the patients. And DVD players with every TV.

I'm not sure if this is correct, but I'm sure I heard somewhere that someone is on the cusp of coming out with a portable dialysis machine. All the other ideas posted would be great also. There were many oooooooo's escaping my lips as I read these posts!!!!

I want some sort of conveyer belt on the patient's mattress so you can push a button and they will slide back up to the head of the bed!!!!!

I want voice charting, so I talk my charting into dictation like docs do, and I don't have to write or type or any of that.

I want private rooms.

I want a good restaurant on premises that delivers to the floor.

Angie, I'm right there with ya, girl!

I want all nurses to be assigned a handheld unit at the start of each shift, like a Blackberry. It will have visual monitor capability as well as tele capability so I can see and hear into my patients' rooms, and glance at their EKG instantly. To heck with HIPAA.

I want everyone on a tele monitor so that some vitals are continuously done, regardless of patient's condition.

I want voice charting, so I talk my charting into dictation like docs do, and I don't have to write or type or any of that.

I want private rooms.

I want a good restaurant on premises that delivers to the floor.

I want to be able to shower and change at work before I go home. I'd actually be willing to pay to have my uniforms done at work so I wouldn't have to drag all that bacteria around with me.

Yes! I want a wireless small headset that I put on and speak into all my notes (and timing) as I go about caring for patients - it's documented as it is done - can you imagine the improved outcomes, efficient use of resources, time saved and the instant communication? Your patients HR is dropping, you are administering meds, calling codes, getting doctors and support immediately and documenting the whole process!