European body area network consortium

A European consortium led by Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique has launched the WiserBAN project to develop "ultra-tiny and ultra low-energy" radiofrequency microsystems for use in wireless body area networks. The group aims to incorporate the technology into hearing aids, cardiac implants, insulin pumps and cochlear implants, according to a March 22 press release. The project has received funding from the European Commission.

In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission is considering whether to allocate wireless RF spectrum for a medical body area network system to allow wireless patient monitoring, primarily in health care facilities. (See " Also see "Industry Meets With FCC On Medical Body Area Network Spectrum Proposal" - Medtech Insight, 24 January, 2011. " – "The Gray Sheet" Jan. 24, 2011.)

Humana launches telehealth pilot

Humana CEO Mike McCallister this month unveiled an 18-month telehealth pilot project to provide interactive care for congestive heart failure patients. Humana Cares, the insurer's patient outreach arm, plans to monitor 2,000 congestive heart failure patients using the in-home Intel Health Guide PHS6000 plus the clinical Intel Health Care Management Suite , which allows Humana Cares nurses to monitor patient weight, heart rate, blood pressure and other vital signs by telephone and online video. Last summer, GE Healthcare and Intel's Digital Health Group formed a joint venture focused on home telehealth. (See " Also see "Intel-GE Care Innovations Targets Aging Populations" - Medtech Insight, 10 January, 2011. " – "The Gray Sheet" Jan. 10, 2011.)

Wireless trade show highlights medical apps

At the International CTIA Wireless 2011 show March 22-24 in Orlando, Fla., Patrick Soon-Shiong, CEO of the Institute for Advanced Health, demonstrated a non-invasive central telemetry unit placed on a patient's head to collect brain signals. According to Soon-Shiong, the unit can collect EEG waves, send them through a Bluetooth-enabled device and use them to control robots wirelessly. Envisioning health care applications during a March 23 Wireless Health Day keynote speech, he said the technology could allow a paraplegic patient to dial a mobile phone for medical help, for example.

Third annual mHealth Summit

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and the mHealth Alliance will host the third annual mHealth Summit Dec. 5-7 in the Washington, D.C., area. The mobile health summit is expected to draw more than 3,500 attendees from nearly 50 countries, organizers said. Last year's summit featured high-profile health care philanthropists including Bill Gates and Ted Turner. (See " Also see "Mobile Health Requires Validation To Reach Critical Mass – Bill Gates" - Medtech Insight, 15 November, 2010. – Bill Gates" – "The Gray Sheet" Nov. 15, 2010.)

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