Each new year a plethora of IT gadgets are flooding the show floor at the Consumer Electric Show, in Las Vegas. We picked up this year’s five best health gadgets.
Omron Heart Guide, blood pressure monitor
The gadget’s first debut was in 2018, but it took one year for the FDA to approve the monitor. What sets it apart from the competition, that this is the first and only wearable, that can take reliable, FDA approved blood pressure reading right on the wrist. It also tracks primary health metrics such as the number of steps, sleep patterns, alert about incoming calls, texts. The monitor works just like other blood pressure monitors: the watch band inflates at the touch of a button, after 30-40 seconds, the readings appear on the screen – of course, data is ready to be shared with your therapist.
ECG in a watch
This year several manufacturers came out with watches that also measures our electrocardiogram right from our wrist – capturing hearth rhythm in a moment when we experience rapid or skipped heartbeats. Apple and Withings are the most well-known ambassadors of the feature.
Pria, home care companion, by Black+Decker
What we love about Pria, the home care companion is the fact that it comes equipped with an automatic medicine dispenser that stores up to 28 doses. If the patient takes her medication twice a day, the caregiver refills the machine after 14 days. The pills drop out into a small container. Pria senses when the patient removes the bottle from its place – if the patient forgets to take the pills an electronic alert goes out to the caregiver. The home care companion also serves as an assistant who reminds the patient living alone about his appointments, upcoming events, etc.
Quell 2.0 pain relief
Chronic pain affects millions of people, so it is essential to manage our pain without drugs. Quell offers nothing much but effective pain relief 24/7. The device uses a technology called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or tens. What this device primarily does it stimulate nerves to give significant chronic pain relief. The device strapped around the area in pain delivers a pulse through an electrode that feels like a warm vibration that stimulates the sensory nerves. They relay signals to the brain stem which then releases natural opioids into the central nervous system to block pain. On the matching app the patient can follow the treatment. Whether or not this device will work for any particular person depends on several factors, but it’s worth a try!
Testcard urine test
A urine test in a postcard is not science fiction anymore: the card contains a small pee strip, that changes color according to the problem encountered. After the patient pees on this strip the color changes. The mobile app scans this strip and provides the diagnostic. It can save a trip to the doctor and also tells the user what to do next. For 3,99 dollars it is a bargain.
Author: Zoltan Gelencser
