A tiny biosensor processor chip is poised to shake up the wearables market. And we're not talking smartwatches.
Vital Connect, the Silicon Valley-based developer of the HealthPatch MD cardiac monitor, will display the VitalCore chip at the HIMSS15 Conference and Exhibition in amid-April. Eric Selvic, the company's vice president of strategic marketing, told mHealth News the processor – six to eight of them could fit on the head of a penny – is designed for wearables with biometric sensing capabilities, and could vault these devices past smartwatches and fitness bands in popularity with providers.
"It's a very significant step forward," he said. "There are a lot of good trackers on the market these days, devices and apps, but they come with challenges (based on) accuracy and reliability. This has the ability to lift a signal out of the noise."
Selvik says the new chip has enhanced power and processing capabilities, allowing for more sophisticated and accurate data measurements for a longer period of time – several days, instead of the usual 24-48 hours. This also allows for a wider range of biometric measurements.
"This puts us on the path to being able to stream vital signs in real time and … probably become predictive," he said.
The FDA-approved chip isn't designed for smartwatches or fitness bands, Selvik said, because the wrist "is a very noisy place to get accurate signals." It's better suited for patches and sensors. As a result, the company is looking to partner with other mHealth developers to create platforms for new sensors.
It also works well in the development of fully disposable devices, he said; in the past, the chip had to be embedded in a disposable portal or patch that had to be connected to a rechargeable module.
Selvik said the company is just now launching its healthcare line, beginning with the HealthPatch MD cardiac monitor, a small, Band-Aid-sized patch that's worn on the chest and transmits clinical grade ECG results, as well as skin temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, body posture and steps, wirelessly to a smartphone app. Future iterations of the patch, Selvik said, could track other vital signs, as well as pulse oximetry, blood glucose, blood pressure and thoracic impedence.
"We're continuing to develop a library of algorithms for different disease states," he said.
And while these types of sensors may someday find their way into smartwatches, fitness bands and other consumer-focused products, Selvik said Vital Connect is now intent on developing the market for healthcare providers – especially health systems and hospitals in need of reliable, real-time and unimpeded monitoring of patients over a long period of time.
"This is absolutely a great, dynamic space," he said.
