Medgadget reader David. G sends us information about a physiologic wrist monitor that is under development at Charlottesville, VA based Empirical Technologies Corporation (ETC):
… company is developing a non-invasive, wrist mounted, non squeezing, comfortable sensor system that measures heart and breathing rates, heart rate variability, systolic blood pressure every heartbeat, and pulsus paradoxus every breathing cycle… It is the only blood pressure monitor that will not wake a patient that is asleep and has many home uses including self diagnosis of sleep disorders. The system under development is bluetooth enabled and can talk to similarly enabled laptops, PDAs, and cell phones. No software is required for connections.
The company is planning to test these units this summer in a preliminary trial. In addition, the company is also working on development of a non-contact mattress pad that eliminates electrodes in the NICU. The mattress is thought to eliminate the electrical hazards that could electrocute the patient if used near lightning strikes or radars. To see the mattress system, go here.
Flashback: Vasotrac Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Monitor