The 2017 International CES (Consumer Electronic Show) takes place every January in Last Vegas, Nevada and includes over 3800 exhibits from manufacturers, suppliers and developers of exciting new consumer technologies. This event is widely attended and this year over 165,000 people visited to learn about cutting edge innovations in all areas of consumer electronics.
This year, medtech took the spotlight and there were some really exciting new products that may revolutionize the area of medicine and medical device technology in the near future. Some of the medical technology product highlights are:
Neofect’s Rapael Smart Glove – was introduced to help stroke patients rehabilitate the use of their hands and fingers while recovering at home. The glove and accompanying software help improve mobility in the patient’s hands by promoting common hand movements, which increase in difficulty as the patient improves. The glove is to be worn for 30-minute sessions at a time and data is transmitted via bluetooth from sensors in the glove, back to the monitoring station. The device and monitor can be rented for $99/month.
NeuroMetrix: Quell System – is an amazing drug-free, wearable medical device, which uses stimulation of the nerve system to block pain in patients suffering with chronic pain conditions. The device is worn around the calf, like an armband. Since June of 2015, over 50,000 copies of Quell have been sold and used to control pain. Patients adjust the levels of relief through the mobile app that also monitors therapy levels, quality of sleep, body position and other physical stats.
Resound High Tech Hearing Aids – are the hearing aids of the future; connected wirelessly to your phone you can monitor settings, access WIFI and use them much like you would a headset along with the benefits of a hearing aid. They are also proven to provide relief to those patients suffering with tinnitus.
Thinfilm: YpsoMate Smart Auto Injector Pen – was designed for patients who require chronic pain medication. The injectable pen is outfitted with electronics that communicate with their mobile app, allowing the users to scan the pen and view video instructions on how to administer the pain medication. The mobile app also tracks administration, reminders, refills and usage history.
TempTraq’s Temperature Monitoring Wearable Patch – can be worn for up to 48-hours and track via Bluetooth, back to its accompanying mobile app, the patient’s body temperature and fluctuations. The app can also be set for alerts if a person’s body temperature reaches a specific number. The patch is worn under the arm and allows the patient to rest without interruption for two days. TempTraq’s thermometer patch will be available for $24.99 in early 2017.
Omron Blood Pressure Watch – is the latest in the array of blood pressure monitoring devices and is housed in a sleek, smart watch design with the ability to track blood pressure and heart health. It too connects via Bluetooth to the mobile app allowing the user not only to track their heart health data, but also see information on body index, fat percentage and weight.
These were just a few of the many high-tech, e-health medical devices exhibited at the show. The rapid pace of innovations in medical technology make this an exciting time to be a part of the medtech, and biotech industries. We believe that we are still in the age of infancy of what the future will bring to patients around the globe.