A new study shows tattoo ink drains into the lymphatic system and accumulates in lymph nodes, diminishing the effects of immune cells. This accumulation of ink pigment triggers both local and systemic inflammation that persists for months.
A third of American adults, roughly 32% - or about 80 million people - have tattoos, and they should read this new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).
"Despite safety concerns regarding the toxicity of tattoo ink, no studies have reported the consequences of tattooing on the immune response. In this work, we have characterized the transport and accumulation of different tattoo inks in the lymphatic system using a murine model," researcher Arianna Capucetti wrote in the study.
Comment: From post operative monitoring to paying for goods by say... having it conveniently cattle-ironed onto your palm?
Medical breakthrough or yet another step in technocratic surveillance and conformity? The medical angle will continue to be served up as the selling point followed by its seamless roll-out into everyday life under the guise of "efficiency" and convenience."
"Yaay! Cool! All my friends have tattoos so, like ... it's just a natural step ... and it means I don't need to carry anything with me when I go to the mall. Totally awesome! And hey, don't forget Mr. Cynical...They may save lives dude...(earnest expression).
And don't forget: "At first glance, it looks no different than the multi-coloured butterflies inked on to countless shoulders"
Line up kids roll up your sleeves! It's the latest trend!
I'd like to think that people by now are not that clueless. But I'm often disappointed. After all since Google has got in the act what could possibly go wrong?
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pulse.edf.com
They may not have much in common with inked messages of love, yet electronic tattoos could help save lives. Here’s how.
Name of inventor: Nanshu Lu
Organization: University of Texas at Austin
Year: 2013
Country: USA
Prize/Award: MIT “Innovator” (category: Innovators Under 35) / Netexplo Award (UNESCO headquarters)
At first glance, it looks no different than the multi-coloured butterflies inked
on to countless shoulders. Yet there’s a lot more to this tattoo than
meets the eye. Affixed to a patient’s skin, it allows vital data and
healthcare information to be monitored remotely, transmitting it
directly to the doctor responsible. It is packed with sensors and could
prove a flexible, practical and non-invasive solution for post-operation
monitoring. The solution offers major potential, and could also be used
in areas beyond healthcare, such as measuring sports performance or
managing objects remotely. Stuck to someone’s neck, it could analyze the
vibrations of their vocal cords and transmit simple orders (left,
right, start, stop, etc.) to an object or a video console. Society is
only just getting to grips with the Internet of things, and it seems we
are already looking to the Internet of the body. Perhaps time to look at
the tattoo in an entirely new light.
Comment: First Motorola, Now Google ... Makes you realise why tattoos have been such a vital fashion accessory of late. Acclimatization?
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RT
Google has applied for a patent for a temporary neck tattoo that
would emit an electronic signal capable of connecting to a mobile device
and working as a lie detector.
Motorola Mobility, which is owned by Google, has submitted an
application for what is effectively an adhesive device “that
compromises an electronic skin tattoo capable of being applied to
a throat region of the body.”
While a low percentage of patents ever become actual products,
the intent behind this latest filing appears to be to allow a
person to wear the tattoo on their neck while keeping their
mobile device in their pocket. The temporary tattoo would
transmit the conversation from the individual’s mouth to the
mobile phone, for example, and could make it easier for them to
communicate hands-free.
The patent filing suggests the device would be used by security
teams working in noisy atmospheres or by undercover police who
would need to hide their communication devices.
“Mobile communication devices are often operated in noisy
environments,” the document states. “For example, large
stadiums, busy streets, restaurants, and emergency situations can
be extremely loud and include varying frequencies of acoustic
noise. Communication can reasonably be improved and even enhanced
with a method and system for reducing the acoustic noise in such
environments and contexts.”
The filing also notes the possibility that the technology will
not be exclusive to humans. “Here it is contemplated that the
electronic tattoo can be applied to an animal as well. Audio
circuitry can also include a microphone for emitting sound
corresponding to fluctuations of muscle or tissue in the
throat.”
The new idea is already taking on the same criticisms that Google
Glass has struggled against - that it is simply too invasive for
those who do not want to participate. Yet some critics have said
this technology would go even further than Google Glass, by
containing a “galvanic” barometer - a reference to measuring
skin’s natural electricity.
“Optionally, the electronic skin tattoo can further include a
galvanic skin response detector to detect skin resistance of a
user,” the patent application reads. “It is contemplated
that a user may be nervous or engaging in speaking in falsehoods
may exhibit different galvanic skin response than a more
confident, truth telling individual.” The tattoo would
therefore serve a similar purpose as a polygraph machine.
Power for the tattoo would come from a variety of sources,
“solar panel technology, capacitive technology,
nanotechnology, or electro-mechanical technology” among them.
Although reluctance to the product was expected, social media and
the blogosphere met the news with practicality, suggesting the
lie-detection could be beneficial.
“They could run a few tests on this patch in Washington
DC,” one commenter wrote. “Require one on the forehead of
every politician.”
See also: Motorola wants you to tattoo a smartphone microphone onto your throat
