Day: September 13, 2006

Pingbuzz Blog & First Responder RTLS

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I came across the Pingbuzz weblog while doing some research. The site offers an interesting amalgam of posts on wireless mobile devices for health care, fitness and wellness applications. Check em out. A recent post on Pingbuzz that caught my eye - a somewhat questionable patent application for a combo patient worn monitor and RFID (press release). QuadTech International, Inc., an asset monitoring technology solutions company, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary MRID Technologies has filed a U.S. patent application for the company's iMPak on-location human asset monitoring technology. Short for "intelligent mobile pack," iMPak is a wireless, two-way, data/voice communication system embedded in a 5" X 5" X 5/8" package that allows the device to transmit location, vital sign and other critical data immediately and effortlessly to a central control room or handheld device. My comment regarding the "questionable" patent app refers to the obviousness of the overall solution. The company is targeting the emergency responder market segment. "iMPak will be ideal for individuals in high-risk occupations and can be a life-saving tool in emergency situations," said QuadTech CEO John Meier. "iMPak fits easily into a work vest or uniform, and is capable of reading the wearer's heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and even his or her state of consciousness, as well as location -- all without any attachments to the body." The system uses ultra...

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Hoana PSA Technology Update

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MedGadget has an update on Hoana's Passive Sensor Array technology measures heart rate and respiration without any patient connected sensors. Hoana has updated their website considerably since my last post about them (it seems there's been some management changes as well). Field-testing of the initial prototype demonstrated accurate, safe, reliable and convenient measurements of heart and respiration rates, (as compared to conventional measurement methods) including tests under severe conditions, such as the high noise and vibration environment of US Army Medevac helicopters. Hoana has targeted med/surg units with the goal of reducing "failure to rescue" situations and the resulting adverse and sentinel events. Working their technology into emergency response is intriguing. You can check out my previous posts here (funding Series C round) and here (getting their 510k). Pictured right is a snazzy new shot of the Hoana bedside...

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Bang & Olufsen Medicom's Bluetooth Pillbox

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Bang & Olufsen's medical division, Medicom, has announced that they will develop a meds compliance product with AstraZeneca (press release). Designed to improve compliance with complex drug regimens, the Helping Hand will be sold through pharmaceutical companies. While reimbursement for such products remains forthcoming, the need is well known: In a survey conducted in the US in 2005, nearly two-thirds (64%) of patients who were prescribed regular medication reported that they have simply forgotten to take their medication, with 11 percent saying that this has happened "often" or "very often”. This non-compliance is said to cost an estimated $30 billion (€24.9bn) annual cost to pharmaceutical companies from prescriptions and repeat prescriptions that are never filled, there are also additional costs related to Healthcare providers, the government and society in general. Health-wise, non compliance has serious consequences for the patient themselves, including hospitalization and in some severe cases, death. The feature set for this new device is typical: Acoustic and/or visual reminder function adjusted to dosing regime. Patented feed-back to patient in terms of medication taken. The feedback is relayed to the patient with a visual signal (red is poor compliance, yellow is average and green is good). Discreet, portable storage and protection of medication. What sets this device apart is the size, and of course the typical B&D eye-candy appeal (pictured right). [Hat tip:...

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