10 gadgets that help people with various diseases

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Miniature devices for blood tests and ECGs at home, preventing asthma attacks and treating other diseases.

15 years ago, in order to have a blood test or an EKG, it was necessary to call the clinic and make an appointment, and on the appointed day, sit in line for a while. Now, thanks to smart gadgets, these actions can be performed anywhere: at home, at work or on vacation. For this, not only wearable electronics are used, which collects data about the body, but also more serious devices aimed at treating and preventing certain diseases. Here is some of them.

1. Project Emma

Project Emma is a watch-style device that helps people with Parkinson's to minimize tremors. It was originally created for British designer Emma Lawton. The girl makes a living by drawing by hand, and tremors could have robbed her of her career.

Engineers from Microsoft Research have created a wrist device that contains several vibration motors. When they work, the tremor becomes much weaker and the person can control the hand almost as clearly as before the illness. So far, Project Emma exists in a single copy, but the developers have plans to release it to the market.

2. Wheezo

Wheezo enables people with asthma to detect the slightest sign of airway inflammation. The device works like a stethoscope, only the sounds of breathing are analyzed not by a person, but by an application on a smartphone. It is enough for the user to hold the device at the throat for half a minute to understand whether he has symptoms of the disease or not.

The application not only examines the sounds of breathing, but also allows you to find out what exactly triggers the reaction of the bronchi, and also helps you adhere to the treatment plan. Wheezo was created primarily for children, but it is also suitable for adults: one gadget can be used by up to four people. The device is still undergoing Clinical trial update clinical trials, but the authors hope for its early launch.

3. Siren Socks

Some people with diabetes may occasionally get inflamed feet. This is fraught with the appearance of infection, gangrene and other complications. Siren socks are designed to monitor the temperature in different areas of the feet and alert the wearer to signs of inflammation.

The socks send information about changes in the temperature of the limb to the smartphone, where a special application collects the data and analyzes it. This helps doctors better define treatment plans and helps patients monitor their feet.

Every six months, the company sends customers a new batch of socks. This is how long it takes for one charge to be used up.

4. Apple Watch

Among the dozens of features in Apple's smartwatches, there is also heart rate detection, rhythm disturbances, and even an EKG. These features are especially useful for people with heart disease. Apple Watch in the background reads heart rate data and can send a notification if its frequency suddenly increases or decreases for no apparent reason, or if the rhythm begins to break.

The user can take an ECG by placing their finger on the bottom of the watch. The expanded heart rate information is then fed into the Health app, and can be downloaded as a PDF file if desired.

5. One Drop

The One Drop smart gadget suite allows people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose levels. It consists of a lancet, test strips and an analyzer that connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth.

In the One Drop application, you can register the types and amounts of food consumed, treatment plan, physical activity. After a few days of use, it will be able to predict when a person's glucose levels are going up and down and suggest solutions based on that data.

6. Propeller

Propeller is a smart inhaler attachment for people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The gadget is able to determine when the user has taken the medicine. Using this information, as well as GPS, temperature and air quality data, the app then calculates possible triggers for the disease.

Also, Propeller can remind you of taking medication through notifications on your smartphone. According to the creators, after purchasing the device, people suffer from asthma attacks 78% less often than before using it.

7. CoaguChek XS

People who are taking coagulant drugs or have a blood clot or bleeding disorder should have their blood International Normalized Ratio (INR) checked regularly.

Until recently, this could only be done by donating venous blood in the laboratory. But a few years ago, the CoaguChek gadget appeared, which allows you to find out the INR one drop at a time. The analyzer comes with a lancing device and test strips.

There is also a connect version of the device that comes with the transmitter. It can be connected to a PC via USB to keep a measurement diary.

8. ADAMM

ADAMM enables people with asthma to prevent and identify the events that trigger them. The device is attached to the user's chest and transmits data to the smartphone. It reads your heart rate and many breathing parameters.

The app can remind you of taking medications, and you can also add triggers for seizures to make it easier to determine when they are expected to occur. All data is then exported in a convenient format for transmission to the attending physician.

9. KardiaMobile

KardiaMobile is a small device that allows you to get an ECG without going to the doctor. To make a cardiogram with it, you just need to put your fingers on it for 30 seconds.

The device can detect atrial fibrillation, bradycardia and tachycardia. All results are recorded in a graph that shows on which days and hours the heart rate was disturbed. If desired, the gadget can be attached to the phone with a special clip that comes with the kit.

10. Motio HWTM

Medical startups Kyomed and Neogia are developing the Motio HWTM bracelet to help people with obstructive sleep apnea. For those suffering from this syndrome, frequent respiratory arrests during sleep are characteristic, often accompanied by snoring.

Motio HWTM will collect a variety of user data such as heart rate and respiration rate, oxygen saturation and more. Then the application on the smartphone will process this information and notify the user if his sleep behavior has changed.