Last week we discussed the Meaningful Use criteria of the federal incentive program for electronic health records (EHRs), created through the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) in the 2009 stimulus package. The standards have proved … Read More
Masonry Blog
September 14, 2014
This week’s highlight was the receipt of a very promising proposal from Pasadera Capital. They are obviously excited about the prospect of working with us and their engagement letter and Gantt chart are compelling. We’re negotiating on fees and hopefully … Read More
September 7th, 2014
With the impending rollout, we’re testing the software in the “real-world” and quickly identifying and fixing those bugs that never appear during development. It’s amazing what happens when the app is in the hands of a user versus the hands … Read More
Many men wish death upon me;
Blood in my eye, dog, and I can’t see.
I’m trying to be what I’m destined to be,
And [they are] trying to take my life away.
– 50 Cent, rapper and mHealth entrepreneur
50 Cent is entering the medical arena, and hoping to help you keep track of your blood, not through your eyes, but through your ears. 50’s company SMS Audio has been recruited as a partner by Intel to create the BioSport In-Ear Headphones with heart rate tracking, available this fall.
Wearable PPGs
Intel’s headphones follow the emerging trend of incorporating optic sensors in wearables for PPG (photoplethysmography), the same technology used in a standard pulse oximeter used on the patient’s finger in many hospitals. PPG devices emits light into the skin and measure changes in reflection with a light sensor. Blood flowing through a vessel scatters light in a distinctive pattern, altering the signal enough for extremely accurate pulse monitoring. PPG has been shown to be more reliable in motion than alternative biometric fitness devices like chest straps and wrist bands.
Intel’s headphones will be powered by Valencell’s Performtek system, which is also used in competing products from iRiver and LG. Performtek crams the light emitter and receptor, along with an accelerometer, into a device than can fit within the ear.
Biometrics from the Ear
While the size constraints of an earbud offer unique challenges not faced by developers of wristbands and other wearables, the ear has advantages that outweigh the added difficulties, Valencell’s founder Steven LeBoeuf told the MIT Technology Review. The ear has a simple, consistent route for blood flow, with less ‘noise’ and movement than other locations.
While heart rate is the only biometric data advertised to be available with these devices, LeBoeuf claims that Performtek could measure much more, including temperature and respiration rate. With the movement data from the accelerometer, Performtek’s algorithms may be able to accurately estimate calories burned and VO₂ max (maximum oxygen consumption during exercise). Valencell says the accuracy of this method is supported by a study performed by LeBoeuf and researchers from the Duke University School of Medicine.
Useful data can be collected through the headphones even if the user wears them only sporadically; it is not necessary to wear them constantly. Products like this are enabling health monitoring without the need to buy or wear special, health-focused gadgets. More people are likely to make use of the advances in mobile health technology if the capability is already included in everyday consumer products they own and use already.
August 31st, 2014
We’ve had incredible success with AthenaHealth, and after just a little work, their software integrates very tightly with our authentication methods. We took the time to generalize our code so that adding compatibility with additional EMRs is even easier in … Read More
August 24th, 2014
Since we’ve all met recently for a board meeting, this post will be just a short update! The proposal for our first clinical integration is almost complete. The draft was presented and reviewed by the board, and a few minor … Read More
The (Near) Future of Wearable Health Tech
The market for wearable health devices has exploded in recent years, mostly due to the rising popularity of fitness bands. These bands track biometrics like heart rate, steps taken, and hours slept for health-conscious consumers, particularly those interested in athletic … Read More
August 17th, 2014
We’re really getting to the finer details of Mobius Clinic’s code. The app and server are approaching readiness, and, after writing the proposal text, we’re more excited that ever. One thing we noticed while writing the proposal is that the … Read More