An article in today's
Wall Street Journal,
New Medical Devices Get Smart, discusses several companies that are using wireless technology to deliver innovative solutions for patients.
Orthocare Innovations is leveraging the insight that observing a patient in the clinic is not the same as observing a patient in their natural environment engaging in normal activities. The company's Magellan Microprocessor Foot Ankle System, expected to be introduced later this year, employs mesofluidics (miniaturized hydraulic systems) to achieve better comfort and performance for lower limb prostheses. Magellan uses wireless technology (most likely Bluetooth) to enable patients to adjust their prostheses via a smartphone app.
Rest Devices, founded by three MIT graduates, is developing a wearable product for sleep apnea patients. The firm's SleepShirt contains wireless sensors that monitor respiration.
Scanadu, a company we mentioned earlier that is competing for the Qualcomm tricorder X PRIZE, makes a handheld diagnostic tool that works together with smartphones to enable patients and their families to identify illnesses such as strep throat--a serious infection that may require immediate intervention.
The article also mentions that the cost of sensor technology has come down significantly in recent years. This is important not only to personal health technology but the larger "Internet of things" market. Growth in other areas could benefit personal health technology--both by driving down sensor costs and spurring development of related tools.