Smart patches on the path to becoming multi-talents

In comparison to T-shirts with integrated sensors, the risk of artefacts is, for example, considerably less in the case of smart patches and the products are almost invisible. These “smart patches” could mean a great improvement in the future, particularly for diabetics. As an example, Christian Stammel mentions the “Diabetes Care’s FreeStyle Libre”, which has been approved by the FDA. European approval is still pending, but: This is a patch for measuring blood sugar that can be worn while showering, swimming and when exercising and only has to be changed every two weeks. By means of a painless scan, the patient obtains the current glucose value, the glucose data over the course of the last eight hours and trend information concerning where the glucose value is heading. As another example for the usefulness of smart patches, Christian Stammel sites “UpRight”, which monitors body posture while it is worn on the back. The product belongs to the generation of “trainables”; it triggers an alarm if body posture is wrong and helps to correct it. This indicates a new trend: The continuous correction of poor posture by means of the devices. At the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM, co-exhibitors of the Wearable Technologies joint stand will present the new intelligent patches, Feeligreen and RootiLabs for example.


What should be done if patients collect data on their own?

Another trend to be taken seriously is that physicians are increasingly confronted with data that originate from devices that have not been certified for the medical field. Christian Stammel is quite sure that these products provide reliable data: “Physicians should not simply disregard this data as irrelevant.” Data that is collected by patients and brought to the attention of their physicians can provide at least a reference value, providing a basis for consultation and, maybe, this data will also contribute to making a diagnosis or finding a therapy. Qardio is a good example for this. At the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM and at the Wearable Technologies joint stand, the company will show products for measuring blood pressure and ECGs, among other things. The devices are supposed to be very user-friendly and, having an appealing design, be able to be perfectly integrated into everyday routine.

Clinical applications for wearables are also possible

Wearable technologies can also provide support in hospitals for optimizing processes and organization. For example, they can help in avoiding decubitus. Using sensors, it is detected if patients have been moved or not and can serve hospital personnel as a memory aid. Christian Stammel emphasizes: “Today, many existing technologies already available can be used without taking any major measures with regard to infrastructure.”

More HCB News