Some more new (and old) ideas

It has been a while since I updated this intermittent stream of consciousness… Since the last post I simply kept a running log of ideas in my phone (a rather large yet handy 3650). As usual, some of the thoughts are new, while others are simply memories of old inventions.

1 :: There is a multitude of regular and immunohistochemical stains currently being used to reveal tissue qualities for diagnosis by pathologists. Why not use high resolution spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy to scan an unstained slide and correlate the pixel signatures to the colors obtained from staining a slide? Can a single spectroscopic scan of an unstained slide be later used to digitally emulate multiple conventional stains?

2 :: During a brain cutting session, I was surprised that an egg slicer was not used to do the job. The resident said that apparently one exists, but it was not used in order to pay more attention to each cut surface. Why not make a slicer with separately moving blades then?

3 :: If a brain was sequentially cut in 5 micron slices, and each slice was stained for a neurotransmitter receptor, could we recreate a three-dimensional map of the brain?

4 :: During dictations, some physicians say the word "period" so many times, that it made me think: "There ought to be a button on a digital Dicta[tor]phone for that!" Of course such a button would record the word period onto the tape (or into memory) when pressed...

5 :: I wonder how long it will take for live context-based microscopy help to appear... This could be a nice way to train a neural net during sign outs. For now it’s the residents getting trained...

6 :: A pathologist often needs to mark a slide with an arrow – not a very comfortable task. What if a slide cover would be coated with a chemical which would change color in response to a red (but not green) arrow projected by the microscope? I am sure a more elegant solution is out there…

7 :: There seem to be a very large number of billboards constructed around us. Yet, so many trucks drive around with clean sides. There must be a way to map interstate truck routes of various parcel companies and centrally resell ad space on the sides of the trucks in bulk.

8 :: Could a TV set with a built in microphone have a mode to auto adjust the volume according to the noise level in the room?

9 :: From what I understand, parking meters are simply a source of revenue for the city. Now, a two dollar Metrocard allows you to ride the subway in New York once, while a thirty day unlimited ride card costs seventy dollars. Why isn't there an "unlimited parking" card? There has to be a price point for monthly prepayment that would allow you to park at any meter for as long as you want. All a meter maid would do is check the license plate against a list of customers. She could even call into an automated system…

10 :: While thinking of a two-dimensional treadmill, I remember thinking that a torus can not only be rolled like a tire, but rotated "inside out" around the center of its cross section (as long as the material allows). It would be interesting to see such concept employed for instant parallel parking (or in two dimensional treadmills of course.) This idea appeared in my head at least eight years ago...

11 :: As soon as the New York City subway metrocards came out, I asked my friend why doesn't some company pay the city to place a phone card on the back of each card. If it is worth the effort, the phone company could even link into the metrocard account and charge from it in two dollar ride increments.

Well – that's enough for today. I'll add more once I have time. Now I have to read some Neurology and sleep.