Critical.
Authoritative.
Strategic.
Subscribe to CIO Magazine »

Blog: Mobile Phones to Transmit Vital Signs to Nurses Thanks to LG, Canadian Researchers

Nowadays it seems like there isn't much mobile phones can't do. Such devices deliver audio driving directions, in both male and female (electronic) voices. Phones with calendar applications remind you to wish your mother a happy birthday. Smartphones keep you connected to necessary corporate and personal information 24/7.

And if South Korean cell phone maker LG Electronics and a team of Canadian researchers have their way, folks will soon be able to measure and transmit vital signs via mobile phones to nurses or doctors.

Researchers from the University of Edmonton in Alberta and Canadian health system Capital Health, along with LG staffers, are currently working on a small sensor gadget that can measure vital signs, like temperature, heart rate and blood pressure, and then transmit them via cellular network to a doctor's office or remote health care professional, according to the CanWest News Service. Bob Haennel, chair of the university's physical therapy department, told CanWest that the monitors could eventually make their way into mobile phones, like recent MP3 players and cameras.

Users simply insert a fingertip into the device for a reading and then beam those numbers off to health care professionals.

Patients who need doctors or nurses to regularly monitor vital signs but who prefer staying home over repeated trips to the doctor's office--and who doesn't?--or folks who live in remote areas, could find the new device particularly useful.

The team also hopes to create a similar gadget in the future that can monitor diabetic patients' glucose levels and blood chemistry, according to the article.

The University of Alberta plans to test prototypes of the cell phone based vital-signs-monitor in its laboratories starting in January, and after nine months it expects to have determined whether or not the monitor is as accurate as such traditional vital sign measurement tools as blood pressure cuffs, ear thermometers and electrocardiograms.

Blood pressure measures are proving to be the most challenging, as it's apparently more difficult to get a good reading from a fingertip than the bicep using a cuff.

Cool stuff, but I really can't wait for the day the ol' BlackBerry can brew my morning java or at least toast the bagel...

Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.

More about: BlackBerry, LG, LG Electronics, VIA

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the CIO comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Latest Blog Posts
Whitepapers
  • Eight things senior managers need to know about data encryption
    Securing sensitive data is a must for every organization. Today’s encryption solutions don’t slow down your users, so you’re not compromising productivity for security. Here are eight things senior managers need to know about encryption to keep their data secure.
    Learn more »
  • How progressive companies are using social technologies
    Social networks and collaborative technologies are now commonplace in many workplaces. Having first been used “on the quiet” by highly-networked employees, in increasing numbers they are now being proactively used by businesses keen to connect more effectively with their internal and external audiences. Web collaboration is now viewed as critical to company success and as having multiple benefits and applications to the business. Read on.
    Learn more »
  • No Bull - What Customers Should Expect from Cloud Services
    This paper describes how a cloud Services User achieves the true benefits of cloud services and sends warning messages to the providers, hosting companies and telecommunications firms. It also provides clues on how a customer can gain better value from services offered by the new cloud companies and Hosting businesses.
    Learn more »
All whitepapers
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to Invitation only events CIO, reports & analysis.
Recent comments