A new adhesive strip equipped with wireless medical sensors is helping individuals better manage their chronic conditions while allowing physicians to more closely monitor patients, NPR’s “All Things Considered” reports.
Eric Topol, chief innovation officer for the West Wireless Health Institute, said the so-called smart “Band-Aids” measure several health indicators — including heart rhythm, respiratory rate and temperature — and can display information on an individual’s cell phone or on the Internet.
The device is part of a broader remote monitoring trend, which allows patients to use diagnostic equipment at home and transmit medical data to their health care provider through an online network.
Addressing Concerns
Although some experts say such technologies could improve patient care and reduce costs, others have expressed concerns about safety issues and the lack of federal regulation of mobile medical devices.
For example, a wirelessly controlled pump could administer insulin to patients with diabetes based on the smart Band-Aid’s readings; however, there could be serious consequences if the signal is interrupted.
Julius Knapp — deputy chief of engineering technology at the Federal Communications Commission — said FCC and FDA have teamed up to draft new rules for the wireless medical industry to address some of these concerns (Whitney, “All Things Considered,” NPR, 7/30).