New wireless sensors and technologies for CV medicine

May 7, 2009 11:30 EDT


No longer the realm of science fiction, new technologies can monitor detailed physiological readings via "smart Band-Aids" and send them to iPhones and BlackBerry-style devices. With trials to validate their use under way, do you think this new technology will revolutionize the treatment of illness and clinical practice?



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Your comments
New wireless sensors and technologies for CV medicine
# 1 of 6
May 12, 2009 02:29 (EDT)
Nirmal Patodia,MD

Althogh exciting at first glance. Threre are many situation that such devices

may prove to be disruptive to normal lifestyle. e.g.

1. episode of markedly elevated BP reading in a commercial jetliner at an altitude of 38000 ft. or

high glucose levels  along  vague symptoms  in identical circumstance.

I can think of many others, but this this should drive the point I want to make.

N. Patodia,MD,FACC
# 2 of 6
May 14, 2009 03:24 (EDT)
DR.TRIPTI DEB

NEW AVENUES THROUGH NEW TECHNOLOGIES ?

ITS GREAT TO HEAR FROM DR.ERIC J.TOPOL REGARDING CONTINUOUS BIOLOGICAL MONITORING .

HOPE TO HELP MANY PATIENTS TO REDUCE THEIR INCIDENT RISKS AS WEL AS FUTURE EVENTS.

THE BIG QUESTION REMAINS ARE WE INCREASING THE QUANTITY OF LIFE BY COMPROMISING THE QUALITY AND FREEDOM OF LIVING A FEARLESS JOYFUL ACTIVE LIFE TILL THAT EVENTUAL END IS DESTINED TO COME? 

 
# 3 of 6
May 19, 2009 03:18 (EDT)
Pieter M. Vandervoort

Eric,

I fully agree that implementing these new technological advances in de field of medicine will for sure ultimately improve patient care and this is another opportunity for cardiology to lead the way into the future.

Pieter
# 4 of 6
May 20, 2009 10:38 (EDT)
Henry T.

I agree with Dr. Topol that these emerging technologies are really exciting.


But Dr. Topol should disclose at the beginning of the video that he is on the board of directors for Triage Wireless, and therefore has a financial conflict of interest.
# 5 of 6
May 21, 2009 06:30 (EDT)
Eric Topol
Appreciate the comments made here about the emerging wireless sensors and potential cardiovascular applications. These are not commercially available products and I made a major point of emphasis in the v-blog that NONE of these devices have been validated. I served in the past on the Medical Advisory Board of Cardionet (until 2004) and currently serve on the Board of Directors of Triage Wireless. Perhaps Henry T can disclose his last name. Although these v-blogs are meant to be brief and to engender thought and comments, in the future I will point out any financial, intellectual and emotional COI!
# 6 of 6
July 20, 2009 05:38 (EDT)
Frank Kempf

How do these devices measure up to low tech (and low cost) alternatives - such as teaching a patient or a family member how to take a patient's pulse or use a home blood pressure unit.  How do they compare to traditional measurements of patient's cardiovascular status?  I believe that there are very few patients who require continuous monitoring -  esp. as outpatients.

 

I do think that COI should be reported if you are going to titillate or tantalize a forum with the wonders of new devices.

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Who's talking
Photo
Eric J Topol MD
Director, Scripps Translational Science Institute
The Gary and Mary West Chair of Innovative Medicine
Chief Academic Officer, Scripps Health
La Jolla, CA