Bertalan Mesko has dedicated his work to the present and future of wearables, and digital IT for patients. Some of these are useful.
After testing over 100 digital health gadgets, sensors, and technologies, I'm excited to share the current landscape of the digital health market with you. If you're looking for a device or technology to improve your lifestyle or health management, this is the video you've been looking for.
Here's an overview of the digital health revolution:
Headbands: Headbands can be used for multiple purposes. For example, there are headbands that measure EEG activity, which can help detect seizures in epilepsy. Other headbands can be used to track sleep patterns or monitor brain activity during meditation.
Enhance your meditation practice with this method, or consider using sleep headbands for quality measurement. While they may not be the most comfortable option, they offer more detailed insights into your sleep sessions.
Smart earrings: I haven't tried any yet, as I haven't found any available on the market. However, there have been reports about the development of earring-based sensors capable of measuring body temperature, which could potentially be useful for fertility management.
Continuous blood glucose sensor-CGM, allowing management of diet and exercise upon blood glucose. While they are recommended for diabetic patients, it is also useful to see the effects of your intake of carbohydrates, fats, and sugars.
Smart tattoos offer a similar function, using thin, flexible electronic sensors that can be placed anywhere on the body to measure vital signs and other parameters. While not widely available, MC1 is one company reported to be developing such technology.
Blood Pressure Monitors can be cuff-based worn on the wrist or arm for a one-time reading of your blood pressure. Some smartwatches can monitor BP, pulse rate, and oxygen levels.
Smart clothing is based on a straightforward concept: sensors are embedded into the fabric. This isn't a new idea; millions of football players worldwide have been utilizing such materials to monitor basic vital signs and fitness activities during their training sessions. Even astronauts can wear these fabrics on the International Space Station. Additionally, smart socks can track essential vital signs for both newborns and adults.
Smartwatches are popular, with over 220 million users in the U.S. alone. These devices can measure vital signs and various health parameters, with some even capable of performing ECGs. Future versions may also measure blood glucose and blood pressure in a single device.
Smart bracelets are similar to smartwatches but lack a screen or interface. They serve specific purposes; for instance, some are designed for continuous blood pressure monitoring, which can last for weeks with monthly recharging, making them great for blood pressure management.
Smart rings can track vital signs and parameters like body temperature, similar to what smart patches and bracelets do. For those who prefer a more discreet option, a simple ring can provide the same data without the bulk of a smartwatch.
About a decade ago, the idea of using jewelry as a health sensor gained attention, but the market wasn't ready. Now,
Smart necklaces are primarily used by the elderly for fall detection, which is crucial for emergency care. These devices automatically call a monitoring service via a cellular phone connection.
Smart glasses represent a significant category in wearable technology. Augmented and mixed reality glasses can also measure basic vital signs, similar to Google Glass. Devices like these can integrate with smartphones for enhanced functionality.
Different types of medical smart glasses cater to specific healthcare needs:
Fitness and Health Tracking Smart Glasses: Designed for monitoring vital signs and activity levels, these glasses often include features like heart rate monitoring and activity tracking. Examples include Google Glass for Enterprise and Vuzix Blade.
Prescription Smart Glasses: These devices combine vision correction with smart technology, offering customized lenses for individuals with specific visual needs. Brands like Vuzix, North, and Ray-Ban provide options in this category.
Healthcare and Advanced Technologies For more information, visit medicalfutures.think.com to explore our courses on digital health and the role of AI in shaping the future.
Artificial intelligence will merge these functions into several devices which will also communicate with a smartphone via a Bluetooth link. The AI software can be incorporated in almost any wearable. The wearer will pick the most comfortable device.
