Augmented reality is also known as AR. AR a live view of a physical real-world environment with an overlay of computer-generated imagery. It's main benefit is to allow people to find information without having to be in front of a computer using a search engine. By simply looking at the environment, certain information will appear depending on what it being looked at, and what the person has chosen to view. What is being looked at is determined by the GPS position and the direction is determined by a compass. Both of these are now available in most new smart phones.

What the person decides to view as an overlay can be thought of as layers. For example they might choose to see restaurants, public transport information or even prices of objects in a shop. These layers can be switched on one or many at a time. Other permanent layers might include a clock or the current temperature.

Read more: Augmented Reality and it's Applications

Scientists separately in the U.S. and the U.K. have been working on developing an artificial liver. The artificial liver works outside the body in a way similar to kidney dialysis. The idea is to create a device that would buy time for a patient with acute liver failure where the liver has the potential to regenerate. Blood would be taken from the patient directly into the bioartificial liver, allowing their own liver a rest from processing toxins. This could allow the patient's liver to heal itself. The treatment would take a number of weeks or months before the liver was repaired.

It could also be used as a bridge to transplantation where the patient has chronic liver failure due to hepatitis, cirrhosis or other irreversible damage, and would buy valuable time before transplantation. It will provide some of the lost functions.

HepaMate™ made by Hepalife will be undergoing a new pivotal Phase III clinical trial in the United States in 2010. It follows a clinical Phase I and pivotal Phase II/III studies involving more than 200 patients. which revealed a statistically significant survival advantage for patients with fulminant and subfulminant hepatic failure when treated with HepaMate compared to controls receiving standard medical care alone.

Read more: Artificial Livers

Until recently, laser hair removal has been limited to salons and spas. But now in 2010 the FDA has cleared a laser hair removal system that can be used at home.

This new system delivers lasting, hair-free results just like the professionals provide where you'd normally pay multiples more. It comes with five enhanced comfort settings to make each treatment more effective than the last. This is because the less hair you have the hotter you can have the laser setting.

The system includes the TRIA Laser hair removal device, skin sensor, and instructions for use. After charging the system, you have to activate it by either calling a phone number or over the internet. This only has to be done once and the device won't turn on until this step has been completed.

First, you'll need to ensure your skin is light enough to be treated. The skin sensor will turn green if your skin tone is in range. If it turns red, your skin is too dark and you can’t use it. Tria can't be used with darker skin because of the possibility of getting burned, scarred or blistered.

Read more: Laser Hair Removal at Home by Tria

Although this is called the monthly poll I let this run for two months because I wanted to more accurately gauge the numbers and get an insight on what content to focus on in future.

So the Nov - Dec poll for 2009 asked the question 'Which technology will have the most influence over the next century?'

The results were:

56.1% said Stem Cells and Genetics

26.8% said Nanotechnology

12.2% said Bionics and Robotics

and only 4.9% said Cosmetic Procedures

Read more: Poll Results - Which technology will have the most influence over the next century?

BodyTite is a device made by Invasix. It uses a patented radiofrequency assisted liposuction (RFAL™) technology to contour the body as well as contract the skin. There are other types of laser assisted lipo machines on the market but this removes the hot liquefied adipose tissue immediately, as well as tightening the skin in a one-step procedure that is 4x faster than others.

Read more: Bodytite Radiofrequency Assisted Liposuction by Invasix

A panel set up by the FDA has recommended by a vote of 15-0 that they will approve the first fully-implantable hearing aid for patients with moderate to severe hearing loss.

The Esteem®-Hearing Implant™ developed by Envoy Medical is different from all other microphone-based hearing devices (hearing aids, other middle ear implants or cochlear implants). This is because it uses the eardrum to process the incoming sound and thereby preserving a natural way of hearing. The Esteem®-Hearing Implant™ is 100% implantable and therefore invisible.

The device works by being implanted under the skin behind the ear. Sound waves travel into the ear canal and set the ear drum into motion by causing the bones of the middle ear to vibrate. The device senses these movements and delivers a customized dose of energy to the cochlea which then transmits the signals to the brain. The brain interprets the signals as hearing, which in turn provides the patient with improved hearing.

Read more: Esteem Fully Implantable Hearing System