Remote patient monitoring sector increasing rapidly

(HealthDay)—The remote patient monitoring sector is growing rapidly and could have a considerable impact on health care, according to an article published in Medical Economics.

The remote patient monitoring sector is growing rapidly and is projected to reach sales of $8 billion in three years. Some of the most promising devices highlighted by Medical Economics include the ZIO XT Patch, a noninvasive, water-resistance device, which continuously records a patient's heart rhythm for up to 14 days, and Sensoria fitness smart socks and electronic anklet, which monitor steps, speed, distance, cadence, and foot-landing patterns.

Other gadgets include Cue, a portable system that can monitor users' vitamin D and testosterone levels, fertility, and inflammation levels, as well as diagnose flu via analysis of saliva, blood, or mucous. Google's smart contact lens project will allow monitoring of glucose levels for individuals with diabetes but has not yet been released. The Glooko MeterSync Device allows patients with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels. Other monitoring devices include the BodyGuardian Remote Patient Monitoring System heart-monitoring device, which allows physicians to view data remotely, and the Kinsa Smart Thermometer. This thermometer connects to mobile devices, allowing patients to view their temperature and use a smartphone app to enter their symptoms and receive information as to what illnesses are "going around."

"As millions of dollars in venture capital pour into the development of remote patient monitoring technologies, these devices, available now or in development, could have profound effects on the ways physicians communicate with, schedule, monitor, and engage patients," according to the article.