Most of us use our smartphones all throughout the day for a multitude of purposes. We use them to contact people, research, read the news, make to do lists, plan vacations, track our fitness, watch our favorite shows, listen to music and so much more. Smartphones are with us at all times so they are a natural fit for monitoring our health. This week’s Friday Five highlights companies that have turned the common smartphone we all know and love into useful and possibly even lifesaving devices.
KardiaMobile – Personal EKG Monitor
AliveCor (@alivecor) KardiaMobile is a FDA-cleared, clinical grade personal EKG monitor that captures a medical-grade EKG in 30 seconds anywhere, anytime. The monitor allows you to know instantly if your heart rhythm is normal or if atrial fibrillation is detected, and email your EKG to yourself or your doctor. Take unlimited EKGs, track your weight and blood pressure in the Kardia app.
Great day to get KardiaMobile. Buy one, and get our swanky Carry Pod free with purchase. https://t.co/Y9Yyw8V1Js
— AliveCor (@AliveCor) November 26, 2018
Steth IO – The Smartphone Stethoscope
Steth IO (@stethio) is dedicated to building technology to improve patient experience and outcomes. Their smartphone stethoscope uses the ubiquity of mobile phones with the power of machine learning to make heart and lung exams more objective. Unlike traditional stethoscopes or expensive alternatives like echocardiograms, their product allows physicians to hear, visualize, and analyze heart and lung sounds for improved diagnoses.
Oto for Clinicians
The Oto system (@Bionix1984) is a new approach to otoscopy (ear canal and eardrum visualization) that converts your iPhone into a smart, video otoscope. It includes an iPhone camera attachment, storage case, a specially designed, protective iPhone case (iPhone 5/5s/SE), connector for iPhone 6/6s, and the Cellscope companion app, available for download in the App Store (SM). The companion mobile apps record and store videos and images of the ear canal and eardrum, simultaneously syncing to a web app for easy review of ear exam data.
DermLite Dermascopes
The DermLite line of devices enable the trained eye to detect skin cancer and other types of skin conditions early. Every DermLite includes a magnification lens, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, and most have polarizing filters for glare reduction. These polarizing filters eliminate the need for skin contact and the required liquids, allowing a much quicker, more convenient examination. DermLite makes smartphone-specific Connection Kits for any iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy S series, and should you have a different smartphone, simply choose the Universal Smartphone Adapter which will work on virtually any smartphone, also making it a great choice if you are one to change phones frequently.
Smartphone Ultrasound: The MobiUS SP1 System
MobiSante (@mobisante) puts the power of diagnostic imaging in the hands of the world on a smartphone or tablet from Mobisante or a Windows™- based device of your own. MobiSante Ultrasound Systems are not just for use in the emergency department or at the bedside, but on the street, in a home or a remote village – it’s Ultrasound Everywhere™.
Bonus:
World AIDS Day is observed each year on December 1st and while not a medical device, Healthvana (@healthvana) is an app aimed at delivering electronic test results direct to patients including HIV results. Additionally, Healthvana’s digital tools make it easier for clinics to identify, educate and keep patients on PrEP, one of the most important HIV prevention tools we have today; a once-a-day pill that virtually eliminates the risk of getting HIV if taken correctly. It is an absolute game-changer.
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from HCNR’s Nurse Lauren.
