Wearable medical devices are biosensors attached to the human body to detect and monitor changes and capture biological/physiological data. These devices are usually non-invasive devices that function autonomously. Monitoring older adults and subjects with chronic conditions in the home and community are a growing focus of these applications.
This is a growing list of types of the body’s biological/physiological functions commonly measured by medical devices.
The information collected from these devices is used not only to assess the general physical health of a person but also to give insights into possible diseases and indicate progress toward recovery after diagnosis. Medical devices often regulate these devices. The measurements taken must be accurate. Some are relatively simple numbers, while others are more complex measurements like counts or ratios. For some values, the “normal” ranges vary based on the patient’s age, weight, gender, and overall health.
Recent advances in sensor technology, microelectronics, telecommunication, and data analysis techniques have enabled the development and deployment of these wearable systems for patients’ remote monitoring. Healthcare professionals often use the data from these devices to make medical diagnoses or track patients’ health as they go about their daily activities. It is critical that in capturing this physiological data, these new devices conform to standardized measurement techniques and parameters.
Wearable systems for patients’ remote monitoring consist of three main building blocks:
Voler System’s design experts specialize in ultra-low power device technology and can build small, low-cost devices to serve this market. We have helped many startups, as well as established medical device companies, develop such wearable products. The two major challenges with this type of technology are determining where on the body the measurement will be taken and, for some types of measurement, ensuring that good contact is achieved between the device and the patient’s skin so that the necessary signals can be picked up?
Many of these measurements are location-dependent. In particular, blood pressure and body temperature vary depending on where they are taken. Below are some examples of the effect of location on measurement acquisition:
To obtain precise and consistent measurements when collecting EKG, ECG, or EMG data, the device must be designed to make good contact with the skin. Not only that, but the condition of the skin itself can affect measurements – wet skin transmits electrical impulses more readily and reliably than dehydrated skin. Electrode pads are used for laboratory EKG measurements, which improve the skin-to-device connection, but they are not very convenient for wearable technology.
We provide full-service R&D consulting from concept and design to production of medical devices for human use. Since 1979, clients have turned to us for reliable new products and test systems involving sensors and measurement electronics. Our multidisciplinary team knows the regulatory process and procedures and delivers high-quality products on-time and on-budget.