Watching your heart beat on a cell phone, just the beginning!
Sometimes seeing is believing. If you do not believe that wireless technology will transform medicine then I recommend you check out the following presentation by Dr. Eric Topol. Dr. Tripol is a researcher Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla and is Vice Chairman of the Board/Chief Innovation Officer at the West Wireless Health Institute.
In his presentation, Dr. Topol discusses several of the technologies currently being used and how wireless technologies can help the lives of millions of people. Just one example from his presentation is his “Top 10 Targets for Wireless Medicine” listed here.
| Disease | No. Affected | Wireless Solution |
| Alzheimer’s | 5 M | Vital signs, location, activity, balance |
| Asthma | 23 M | RR, FEV1, Air quality, pollen count |
| Breast cancer | 3 M | Ultrasound Self-Exam -->Web |
| COPD | 10 M | RR, FEV1, Air quality, oximetry |
| Depression | 21 M | Med Compliance, Activity, Communication |
| Diabetes | 24 M | Glucose, Hemoglobin, A1C |
| Heart Failure | 5 M | Cardiac pressures, weight, BP, fluid status |
| Hypertension | 74 M | Continuous BP, Med compliance |
| Obesity | 80 M | Smart Scales, Glucose, Caloric in/out, Activity |
| Sleep Disorders | 40 M | Sleep phases, quality, apnea, vital signs |
| Source: Presentation by Dr. Eric Topol. | ||
You can view his entire presentation below.
CCW Commentary: Innovations like these flourish in an environment that encourages investment and rewards creativity. This is one example of medical science meeting wireless broadband technology to enhance people’s lives by giving them the opportunity to participate in their own health care in the 21st century. If we encourage investment and limit needless government restrictions, the possibilities for the health care industry and others are endless.
In addition, he recently did a question and answer session with the San Diego Union-Tribute, which can be viewed here.