Markets in Everything: Android-based Healthcare Smartphone Packed with Medical Sensors
MedGadget -- "LifeWatch AG (Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland) has presented the LifeWatch V (see video above), a feature-packed healthcare smartphone for patients and health conscious consumers. At its core, the LifeWatch V is a pretty standard Android-based phone. However, what sets it apart is the presence of a plethora of medical sensors powering seven health tests, combined with wellness-related applications and cloud-based services. The health tests are operated by placing a finger on one of the sensors, allowing users to measure, track and analyze their medical measurements, take corrective action, plan meals, activities and more.
The tests include one-lead ECG, body temperature, blood glucose, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, body fat percentage and stress levels as expressed by heart rate variability. Each medical test is presented as an application and, in addition, there are diet applications and programmable reminders for medications. All collected data is automatically and securely saved to a remote server and can be retrieved from the cloud for follow-up anytime, anywhere. Results and historical data can be shared with doctors, family or others on the user’s request through e-mail or text message.
There is no information on pricing or availability yet, but LifeWatch intends to launch the healthcare solution smartphone world-wide in collaboration with local partners."
There is no information on pricing or availability yet, but LifeWatch intends to launch the healthcare solution smartphone world-wide in collaboration with local partners."
12 Comments:
Well, that is one way to control medical costs.
FDA either has or will label this a medical device and it wont be available in the US until it passes medical device approvals.
Unsurprisingly, all the things that make our life better come from market innovation.
I fully expect that as Obamacare decays medicine within the United States, those willing to pay out of pocket will find relief in the form of clinics and surgery centers set up outside the U.S. but close to the U.S. mainland. Perhaps in the Caribbean. Free from the shackles and burdens unnecessarily imposed by the United States and facing competition from other clinics, prices should drop and outcomes should be as good or better than what we have now.
FDA either has or will label this a medical device and it wont be available in the US until it passes medical device approvals.
I'll smuggle it in.
If you want to buy this device then do so before 2013. An excise tax on medical devices will be implemented as part of the "Affordable" Care Act.
"I fully expect that as Obamacare decays medicine within the United States, those willing to pay out of pocket will find relief in the form of clinics and surgery centers set up outside the U.S. but close to the U.S. mainland. Perhaps in the Caribbean." -- Methinks
You may be right. However, I would be willing to bet that no matter how degraded the medical system in the U.S. becomes, nobody will go to Cuba for healthcare - not even Michael Moore.
Aren't Americans forbidden from visiting Cuba? Wouldn't the government force you to pay a "tax" or go to jail or something for disobeying it's decrees?
I don't know much about Cuba's medical tourism business. I assume that since it must compete for patients in a global market, the facilities are quite good.
Given the option, I'm sure some people wouldn't go for ideological reasons. However, the people working in those clinics feed their families in that miserable country and my ideology prevents me from refraining from trade with people who subscribe to different ideologies or who live in countries whose governments do. Interactions between the free world and Cubans can show Cubans (who live in a closed country like the former Soviet Union) what life could be like and can help loosen Castro's grip. Trade is the easiest way to win battles.
BTW, I wasn't thinking of Cuba when I mentioned the Caribbean. There are plenty of beautiful Islands that would be delighted to house clinics.
Even with medical smart-phones flooding the market, Americans will still be fat...
Methinks
"I'll smuggle it in."
I'll help you. Big Bucks. A new market is created. Thank you FDA
I learned how to deal in the black market from my grandma back in the USSR. Grease a few palms, lean on a couple of connections and you're in business. And it's not like you report the income to be taxed. Win.
Methinks
"I learned how to deal in the black market from my grandma back in the USSR. Grease a few palms, lean on a couple of connections and you're in business. And it's not like you report the income to be taxed. Win."
Win is right!
I've noticed that grandmas often go around disguised as frail, helpless, little old ladies, but they are some really smart cookies. Much can be learned from them.
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