10 latest medical devices and wearables for patients and healthcare professionals

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Wearables can be useful for both medical purposes and daily health and wellness

Medical devices and health wearables have been the latest technology in helping bust people keep track of their lifestyle. Many healthcare professional have also taken these devices on board to help with improving the quality of patient care.

Here we compile 10 of those devices that are at different stages of FDA approval or are in the final stages of development.
1. An individualised insulin pump
A remote meter called OneTouch Ping that works in combination with the OneTouch Ping Insulin Pump to help diabetics regulate their insulin levels has been created by a company known as Animas. The meter sends signals to the pump through a wireless connection and functions up to 10 feet away.

The meter is designed to correct high blood sugar levels and factor in carbohydrates in food. The Insulin Pump will inject a dosage of insulin whenever the patient needs it, making the device individualised. The device has been approved by the FDA for those are insulin-dependent.

2. Electrocardiogram patches
A wearable electrocardiogram patch known as Zio XT Patch, has been developed by a company called iRhythm and it aims to detect abnormal heart activity over a period of time. The patches are water-resistant and can be worn continuously for two weeks. The data collected is then synced to the iRhythm's clinical app, which utilises an in-house algorithm to analyse the results. The patches have FDA approval and is aimed to be used by patients with heart arrhythmia problems.

3. Fertility made easy
Women need not mark down and calculate the days when they are ovulating or most fertile to conceive a child. A wearable device made by VivoSensMedical GmbH, has developed a biosensor known as the OvulaRing, which monitors the core body temperature during a woman's menstrual cycle.

The device is meant to be inserted into the vagina - much like a tampon - and the data is synced to a web-based analysis software on myovularing.com, which is analysed by an algorithm. It has received CE approval and is awaiting FDA approval.

4. Alleviating pain with an accelerometer
Patients suffering from chronic pain can forego a drug-diet of painkillers now, thanks to a company that has developed a wearable known as Quell. The device is designed to reduce pain through eliciting high frequency intensive nerve stimulations.

Worn on the calf, it alleviates pain regardless of where it is on the body and stimulates the nerves to trigger the release of the body's natural pain blockers. A percentage of the pain is blocked at the spinal cord, therefore providing widespread relief for the whole body.

The company, NeuroMetrix, has highlighted that it does not eliminate the cause of pain and it is not a cure, but it is a method to provide symptomatic relief to "reclaim your life". The device has been approved by the FDA for unlimited use 24/7 and can be coupled with their smartphone app over a Bluetooth connection that can be controlled by the device to track the therapy and sleep.

5. Smart hearing aids
For those with hearing problems, white noise can be an irritating sound especially during conversations. Siemens and Sivantos have coupled to develop a smart hearing technology aimed at reducing background noise, connect wireless to a smartphone and synchronise hearing aids.

It claims to be one of the best hearing aids on the market as it has clinically proven that it can deliver better in noisy places such as busy restaurants and cocktail parties. It also automatically detects the environment - for example, windy environments, at a concert or restaurant - and adapts to it automatically.

The hearing aids have FDA approval and Siemens boasts the cheapest prices for higher-end features.

6. Pulsing wristband to replace caffeine
Every morning, most workers would consume caffeine to keep themselves awake for the next 12 to 18 hours. Now, a London company has developed a non-caffeine alternative known as doppel. Like any tech wearable, the device is worn on the wrist and sends rhythmic pulses on the inside of the wrist as a heartbeat, much like a vibration.

It claims to work with the body's natural response to rhythm to change how one will feel on demand. It does so by affecting the brains perception of an individual's heart rate, creating a psychological effect. The device boasts to replace caffeine and sleeping pills, as it can be entrained to give faster rhythmic pulses to allow individuals to stay awake throughout the day or slow rhythmic pulses to calm them down.

7. Health biosensor
There are plenty of wearables that track the lifestyle of individuals, but a biosensor known as HealthPatch MD developed by Vital Connect can track a patient's condition during in-patient stays or out-patient visits, as well as in home settings.

It tracks the heart rate, respiratory rate, body posture and skin temperature. The device has extra features different from other devices on the market as it includes fall detection of the patient, improving the quality of patient care. The device is available in Europe, Japan and the US.
8. Pulse oximeter
Nonin Medical has created a pulse oximeter known as WristOx2 that monitors and measures a patient's heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Targeted to patients with a risk of congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The device is portable, therefore allowing it to be used within the hospital at all times and even when the patient goes home to allow remote and extended monitoring of their oxygenation levels and heart rates. Data is then transmitted wirelessly over to the hospital system for records and diagnosis.

9. Hydration monitor
A new LVL Hydration Monitor aim to keep track of a body's internal water levels. The device developed by BSX combines the data with the heart rate measured from the built in sensors and the tracked caloric expenditure during rest and activity to recommend the amount of water intake needed.

It also takes into account sleep, performance and mood analytics to suggest how much water is needed to optimise all three. The device is currently under development and is garnering funding on Kickstarter.

10. Sweatronics
Eccrine Systems is working on a series of wristbands, skin patches and headbands that are able to analyse sweat, which is known to contain vital information that can provide clues to a number of conditions, such as if one is depressed, stressed, dehydrated, ovulating, muscle cramping, or if cholesterol levels are too high.

The company aims to determine the different biomarkers of these conditions in sweat to provide a non-invasive method for diagnosis. The data will then be wirelessly transmitted to a smartphone or tablet in real time.

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