Intel Personal Health System Cleared
The Food and Drug Administration approved a new personal in-home health monitoring system manufactured by computer chip giant Intel. The new Health Guide is designed to support patients with chronic health conditions.
The system integrates vital sign collection, as well as multimedia educational content, feedback and communication tools, and patient reminders with a personalized care management system. These are linked together with an in-home device system with online access. Communication tools include email and video conferencing.
The system can be linked to a variety of different devices used to monitor patients. Those include both wireless and wired devices, such as glucose meters, peak flow meters, weight scales, blood pressure monitors, and pulse oximeters.
Information collected is displayed on a touch screen, as well as stored for future viewing and evaluation. The data is also transmitted to caregivers wirelessly through a secure host server for review by clinicians.
Availability of these tools allows clinicians to monitor patients remotely, providing information to guide treatment. An additional benefit of this tool is the opportunity to empower patients to become more involved with their own care, as well as expanding the opportunity for more patients to be treated at home rather than in the hospital.
The group from Intel suggests that their new tool is more comprehensive than the other remote patient monitoring devices that are currently available on the market. Preliminary pilot studies with the new device have already been completed in both the U.S. and U.K.; additional pilots are planned for the future.
July 11, 2008 Related topics: Product Approval & Certification, New Technology & Innovation