News of Digital Health out of CES
First, this in from the Medical Futurist where they identify some unique offerings in wearables, devices and apps. Just click on the image below!
News from Toshiba and Wor(l)d on updates to the Helo health wearable device:
Wor(l)d uses the Toshiba ApP Lite? chip-set in their Helo wearable; Toshiba is promoting the use of the new ApP Lite LX in the latest Helo devices at a private showing during CES. At the same time, Wor(l)d has pushed out is latest updates to the device firmware and the mobile Helo app to great acclaim.
The new dashboard on the Helo app displays blood pressure, heart rate, breath rate, energy level, sleep, activity levels and distance, as well as the users latest ECG readings.
Next is news from HIMSS reporters Heather Mack and Jonah Comstock
31 new digital health tools showcased at CES 2017
By Heather Mack
While digital health doesn't have as big of a presence at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as other industries, there were a fair number of wearables, apps and sensor-enabled tools showcased. There were also several partnerships announced, which you can read about here. Some have already been covered in MobiHealthNews yet didn't make their official debuts til this week, but most were new announcements to the world. Here is a list of 31 digital health tools we've rounded up from CES.
Fitness gear company Polar, which has historically been known for its heartrate-monitoring watches and chest straps, unveiled its new product: a smart clothing item called the Polar Team Pro Shirt. The sleeveless base layer shirt is embedded with heart rate-monitoring sensors that contact the wearer’s skin, eliminating the need for a chest strap or wristworn band. Wearers also have a motion-tracking sensor “pod” to place in a pouch underneath the collar to track speed, distance and acceleration. The shirt integrates with Polar’s Team Pro coaching platform, and will also integrate with Polar Flow and the company’s other wearables.
Sleep Number debuted its sensor-enabled mattress that adjusts to movements, warms feet, nudges people over if they start snoring. It’s called the 360 Smart Bed, and it works with Sleep Number’s biometric sensor technology, Sleep IQ, to track heart rate, motion and breathing and respond in near-real time. All the sleeping activity is sent to a companion app so users can track their sleep quality over time and learn their “SleepIQ Score.”
UK-based Bodytrak showed off its in-development wearable: a pair of earbuds equipped with an in-ear thermometer to measure core body temperature during activity to give wearers physiological feedback for a range of users – from elite athletes and members of the military to hospital patients. The data is sent wirelessly to the users’ smartphone, watch or internet hub. Mainly, it’s geared towards athletes, and the device measures heart rate and VO2 as well as speed and distance while also playing music and giving the wearer feedback.
Smart oral care company Kolibree launched Ara, an artificial intelligence-embedded toothbrush that collects data through sensors every time the user brushes their teeth. All brushing data (frequency, duration, and brushed area) is captured in the toothbrush and synced via Bluetooth Low Energy when the companion app is running, and Ara uses deep learning algorithms from the sensors to understand individual brushing habits and help the brusher develop more accurate brushing techniques the more it is used.
Wearable maker Onitor unveiled its new weight loss program that consists of a wristworn activity tracking band, a biometric sensor-embedded clip that attaches to a chest band or sports bra, and a companion app. Data from both sources is combined along with weekly weight inputs from the user to create an exercise program and nutritional coaching advice that adapt to the users progress.
Motiv is taking a smaller approach on fitness tracking with its new ring, a titanium-encased wearable to be worn on the finger, all day, every day, that tracks sleep, fitness (steps, calories, distance and heart rate), and is powered by a battery that lasts three to five days. People can also wear it swimming, and it comes in seven sizes. Presales are at $199.
Digital health company Qardio launched its wearable ECG monitor, QuardioCore. The medical-grade monitor lets people monitor their heart health thanks to Qardio’s proprietary sensor technology that records more than 20 million data points that stream to a companion smartphone app. The data can be shared with medical profesionals. The strap is worn around the chest and records continuous ECG, heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, temperature and activity data, and the strap can also work alongside Qardio’s other products including their smart blood pressure monitor, a wireless scale and a the QardioMD dashboard for doctors.
Garmin announced a bevy of new apps, data fields and watch faces available for users to download from third party companies via ConnectIQ, an open platform that developers can use to build content for Garmin products. The new offerings include an ETA tracker from Uber that will display information right on the Garmin wearable, a control function for Trek/Bontrager bike headlights and taillights, and a hydration and refueling reminder and for when Garmin Edge wearers need to refuel with GU Energy Labs gels or nuun Active Hydration.
Montreal-based Cogilex launched a new health-specific search engine called Seenso Health. Seenso works as a curator and guide to health information and provides users with “knowledge maps” of key information with a guided exploratory interface. This is the first of Cogilex’s specialized search engines they are working on.
Plume Labs showed off Flow, a smart air quality tracker designed for users to take everywhere they go. The small sensor measures dust, exhaust fumes, gases and chemicals and displays different colors to indicate the air quality around the user. The data syncs with a companion app, and Plume is working on creating a crowdsourced, real-time pollution map.
The 2breathe Sleep Inducer was introduced by father-son team Erez and Benjamin Gavish, who also make an FDA-cleared hypertension wearable called RESPeRATE. Realizing that their original wearable was making its users fall asleep, they were prompted to create the new tracking module, which people wear on an elastic strap around their torso. As they breathe, the data from the rhythm of their breath feeds into their companion app, which creates a melody to synchronize with their breathing and ostensibly guide the user to slow down their respiration and fall asleep.
PillDrill officially showcased its medication adherence hub and companion app. The device, which launched in April, consists of a compact scanning system called the PillDrillHub that is designed to sit next to the user’s pills. When doses are due, it sends out audio-visual alerts, and the user waves their medication container (which has been affixed with a scanning tag). Each scan, or absence of a scan, notifies family members or other concerned parties with an update via a companion app.
HealthyMation, the healthcare animation studio started by experts from the Harvard Joslin Diabetes Center, gave the official demonstration of their recently launched digital diabetes prevention program, Why WAIT.
Wearable company Misfit showed off Vapor, their new touchscreen smartwatch. The Bluetooth-enabled Vapor has music and GPS, plus activity and sleep tracking.
Johnson & Johnson and Rest Devices announced their collaboration on a connected sleep tracking and coaching system for babies. The system, which will be fully available next month, consists of Rest’s Mimo wearable baby monitor and a companion app called Nod, which both companies built together.
Diabnext showcased its artificial intelligence tool for diabetes management. The Diabnext AI platform uses J.A.R.V.I.S. interface to connect doctors and patients, and Clipsulin, a smart connected insulin dose recorder that is compatible with a range of insulin pens, captures injection data and saved to the Diabnext AI system on either a smartphone or computer.
Gyenno technologies launched a Smart Spoon and Fork designed to offset hand tremors from Parkinson’s Disease and other unsteadiness-causing conditions. The devices also collect data about tremors, informing doctors and researchers as well as developing smarter algorithms to improve its performance over time.
London-based Doppel made the US debut of its “mood-changing” wearable, also called Doppel. The device is worn with a sensor placed on the inside of the user’s wrist and is synced with a companion app. Doppel emits a heartbeat-like vibration, and the user taps or strokes the device to adjust the beat to move faster or slower, purportedly increasing alertness or calming one down. It will be launched in a few months and is available for preorder.
Navigation company TomTom launched their new app, TomTom Sports. Pairing with the companies wearable trackers, the app can track up to 12 different activity types, create dashboards for progress and competition, and syncs with third party platforms including Strava, Nike+, Endomondo, MapMyFitness and Runkeeper.
New Balance and Intel launched fitness smartwatch RunIQ, which was built in collaboration with the two companies along with Google and Strava. Runners can upload and share workouts with a global community, and the watch has built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring and is battery powered (they estimate a battery life of 24 hours with typical use and five hours with continuous GPS and heart rate monitoring). Balance also debuted PaceIQ, a set of Bluetooth wireless sport headphones made with Jabra audio hardware. The smartwatch will be $300, headphones $110 when they are available in a few weeks.
UK-based BioBeats unveiled the latest version of Hear and Now, the company’s app designed to reduce stress and improve wellbeing. The app acts as a mindfulness coach to guide users through customized breathing exercises and identify stress triggers.
Health and nutrition app company DietSensor announced the launch of its app designed to improve chronic condition management like diabetes and obesity.
Now available on Android, the app works with the sensing enabled smartphone Changhong H2, which embeds the SCiO sensor from Consumer Physics. This capability allows users to scan the cells of their food, enabling counting of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates to monitor nutrition and fitness and providing personalized nutrition and fitness coaching.
Valencell announced the launch of two new versions of its Benchmark sensor systems – one system specifically for hearables (the new version is smaller to allow for faster time to market) and one for wearables worn on the wrist and arm. Both new modules measure continuous heart rate, VO2 and VO2 max, resting heart rate, caloric burn and recovery.
Bloomlife showed off its pregnancy-tracking wearable and companion app that helps women track and understand contractions.
Philips showed off its suite of connected health tools: The Avent uGrow digital parenting platform, which is a companion app paried with Philips' smart baby monitor and ear thermometer; Philips DreamStation Go portable CPAP device, which is designed for users to take anywhere; the connected Sonicare toothbrush and the Philips Heart Health program, which is an app-based behavior change program that pairs the Philips heath watch with mobile coaching. Philips also announced a partnership with Daimler for the Mercedes Benz Fit & Healthy project to provide drivers with health information while driving.
Round-up: Non-device launch digital health news from CES 2017
In addition to the many device launches, several digital health companies use CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronic Show) in Las Vegas as an opportunity to announce updates and major partnerships and collaborations. Read on for the biggest non-launch health news from the show.
Samsung launches $150M fund
Samsung NEXT, the tech company’s investment arm, launched a new $150M fund to support early stage startups pursuing advanced software and services innovation. While the fund isn’t health-specific, it’s certainly open to investing in health companies, and in fact Samsung NEXT has already invested in digital health company BioBeats. It also recently opened up an office in Tel Aviv, a hotbed for digital health innovation.
LifeQ partners with Garmin, Analog, and Medibio
LifeQ, a new digital health company that uses computer simulations and continuous monitoring to study biological processes, also announced several partnerships at CES. The company partnered with Garmin to launch a joint digital health solution, partnered with Analog Devices to create new, more accurate wearable devices, and partnered with Medibio to deliver mental wellness diagnostic and management solutions to users via insurance and corporate programs.
“[CES is] a huge opportunity to stand beside global brands and talk about our vision as a company and how much of an impact we can make. We want to change the way people think about their health, and this new development is finally allowing us to do that,” Executive Founder of LifeQ Dr. Riaan Conradie said in a statement. “We can now deliver incredible insights to people about their bodies, potentially even predicting a heart attack. CES speakers are watched by millions of people so it is a fantastic launch platform for us and a great place to engage with potential partners.”
Quell adds some new features
Neurometrix, which makes the FDA-cleared pain relief wearable Quell, announced several new features for the device. Users can now calibrate their devices using the app, customize their therapy dosage, and track multiple health dimensions including pain, activity and gait. The update also adds more battery life.
Data from large sleep study published
SleepScore Labs, a joint venture announced this week between ResMed, Dr. Mehmet Oz and Pegasus Capital Advisors, LP, published data from 20,000 people who both participated in a survey and used ResMed’s S+ device to track their sleep. Some highlights: 79 percent of people get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep, women sleep longer on average (6 hours, 9 minutes per night vs 5 hours, 45 minutes for men), and 50 percent of respondents reported regularly using a mix of two or more sleep aids per night, such as prescription medications, over-the-counter sleeping pills, or herbal remedies/food supplements for sleep. See more data here.
Digital health is back behind the wheel
Health economist and Health Populi blogger Jane Sarasohn-Kahn has a nice write-up on the newest concepts for digital health built into smart cars, a perennial CES idea that has yet to manifest in a meaningful way. Concepts included a stress-sensing car from Hyundai, a research project between Philips and Mercedes-Benz, and a report from Nissan that included the health benefits of autonomous cars.
Be Well,
Dr. Gordon Jones is a serial entrepreneur with his creative work born through his innovation development company, Birddog.Ventures. He is also the Principal Personal Development Coach for Createyourself.com. Follow him above, connect with him on LinkedIn, and/or view all of DrJ's Pulse articles!
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