In the summer of 2018, VitalConnect launched the VistaTablet as an extension to their FDA-approved biosensor, the VitalPatch, which measures eight vital parameters. We have previously covered the VitalPatch and the launch of the VistaTablet, but we recently had the chance to check them out first-hand. The following is a review of this editor’s experience and impressions. […]
Tag: Geriatrics
Low-Cost 3D-Printed Adaptive Aids for Arthritis Patients
Researchers and students at Michigan Technological University have used a 3D printer to create adaptive aids for arthritis patients, which could help people perform daily tasks such as opening doors or getting dressed. The devices are a small fraction of the cost of commercial alternatives, meet or improve on existing standards, and are customizable for […]
Tackling Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Using Machine Learning: Interview with IQuity CEO, Dr. Chase Spurlock
Losing one’s memories, and therefore one’s identity, must be a terrifying experience. With a global estimate of almost 50 million people living with dementia, predicted to rise to more than 130 million by 2050, the burden of Alzheimer’s and dementia are indisputable. While there are still no approved drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s, there […]
SmartBottle Opioid Administration Device: Interview with Leila Smith of Ethimedix
Ethimedix, a Swiss medical device company, has developed the SmartBottle, a drug administration device for analgesics. The device is a programmable “lockbox” which allows for the controlled administration of single doses of opioid painkillers, reducing the potential for addiction and abuse. In view of the current opioid crisis, controlling access to prescription analgesics is important. […]
Vayyar Imaging Launches Walabot Home, A Senior Care Smart Home Device for Fall Detection
This week, Vayyar Imaging, a player in 3D sensor imaging technology, announced the launch of Walabot HOME, a senior care smart home device. Walabot HOME is designed for fall detection without the use of wearables, through the use of low-power radio wave technology similar to Wi-Fi. Avoiding the need for cameras, the system allows users […]
Bucknell Students Design Device to Evaluate Patients’ Ability to Drive
In America and many other countries, driving is a part of life without which many things are impossible to do. Following injuries to the legs and feet, patients hope to recover their ability to drive more than just about anything else. The problem is that physicians don’t have objective methods to judge how well someone […]
Interview with Tobias Pforr of aktiia, an Optical Blood Pressure Monitoring Company
aktiia, a Swiss company that promises to deliver an optical blood pressure monitoring device, just raised $4 million USD in seed funding. We spoke with aktiia’s Tobias Pforr, head of business development and marketing, and Josep Sola, CTO, to learn more. Ben Ouyang, Medgadget: Tell me about aktiia. Tobias Pforr, aktiia: aktiia was founded in […]
First Blood Pressure Monitor with Cellular Connectivity Now Available in U.S.
Livongo, a Silicon Valley firm, is releasing in the U.S. its cellular-based blood pressure monitor, along with a smartphone app and accompanying online platform for managing and sharing the readings. The blood pressure unit uploads its measurements to the Livongo cloud platform, without having to connect the device to a WiFi network, what the company […]
Improving Medication Compliance with Smart Pill Bottles: Interview with AdhereTech CEO Josh Stein
Compliance with medications is considered one of the best ways for patients to stay on track in managing their health. However, driving adherence is a complex problem influenced by not only medical, but also economic, social, and geographic factors. Ensuring patients continue taking their medications, while understanding and addressing the source(s) of an individual’s tendency […]
WiFi Radio Signals Let MIT Researchers Track Movements of People
Patients that wander away from their beds are a constant headache for nurses, while those that stay bedridden for too long can create problems of their own. New technology from MIT may soon allow hospital staff to see in real time the location of all the people in the facility. Because the new tech uses […]
Smart Med Reminder System’s Electronic Vial Caps Improve Compliance
Concordance Healthcare Solutions, a company affiliated with Purdue University, has developed a medication compliance product that reminds users to take their pills and monitors how they are doing. The Smart Med Reminder system includes electronic caps that fit standard prescription drug bottles, a smartphone app that communicates with the caps, and an online cloud platform […]
Robot Learns How to Dress People Through Computer Simulations
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a technique that allowed a robot to teach itself to pull a hospital gown onto someone’s arm. By analyzing nearly 11,000 computer simulations of the procedure, the robot learned how to successfully pull the gown over an arm without imparting dangerous forces. The technique could lead to robotic systems […]
VitalConnect Introduces an Integrated Patient-Monitoring Platform: Interview with CCO, Bill Brodie
In a world of big data analytics and quantified-selfers, wearable technology companies are uniquely positioned to bring about measurable differences in our everyday lives. While Fitbits and Apple Watches are common on wrists around the U.S., some industry leaders have called their true utility into question. VitalConnect’s unique approach to wearable technology, on the other hand, […]
Accurate Cuff-less Blood Pressure Measurement on a Smartphone
Blood pressure is a critical vital sign and patients, particularly those with cardiovascular conditions, are often directed to take readings on their own on a regular basis. Of course too few of them do as prescribed, and the lack of motivation has a lot to do with the fact that blood pressure measurement devices tend […]
Pillo Automated Pill Dispenser and Personal Assistant
Things are getting pretty cute in the field of personal health. Case in point is the Pillo, an all-in-one pill dispenser, personal digital assistant, and communication device. It seems to be a mix between an automated pill dispenser, that can prepare the correct dose of multiple drugs on a personalized schedule, an Amazon Alexa-like voice-based […]
AdhereTech’s Smart System Improves Medication Compliance
Taking pills can be easy to forget and factors such as unpleasant side effects can significantly contribute to missed doses. This is especially true for serious diseases with complicated and prolonged regimens, often leading to decreased patient adherence at a time when staying on a drug regimen is especially important. AdhereTech currently helps patients around […]
Popit Sense Accurately Monitors Blister Pack Drug Usage
Smart pill bottle caps have existed for a while now, tracking every time the bottle is accessed. But, most of the world relies on blister packs and a new product will soon be coming out that can track those as well. The Popit Sense device is a small plastic dongle that bites into and tightly […]
Vaica Unveils Capsuled Drug Adherence System for Different Drug Types
Vaica Medical, a company out of Tel Aviv, Israel, is releasing a product designed to help introduce patients to new types of medications, such as injections and atomized drugs, or to complicated pill regimens. The cigar box-like device, called Capsuled, holds patient medications, like injectors and inhalators, and a touchscreen display provides a place to […]
Matching Seniors and Caregivers: Interview with Josh Bruno, Founder/CEO of Hometeam, and Dr. Jeffrey A. Sachs, Hometeam Advisor
Finding a suitable caregiver for an elderly relative can be difficult, and leaving a vulnerable loved one with a stranger can be tough, especially if they have very specific medical or care needs. An innovative platform, developed by Hometeam, a company working in New York City and New Jersey, aims to match caregivers with seniors […]
Electronic Pills Powered by Gastric Acid to Guarantee Compliance: Interview with etectRx President & CEO Harry Travis
Patients are constantly lectured on the importance of taking their medications as directed. Yet, a disturbingly low adherence across patient populations remains a major challenge for clinicians, insurance and pharma companies, and of course the patients themselves. New technologies are coming out that are trying to solve this problem, and one of the more exciting […]