Micro-stethoscopes, tidy-sized ECGs and pocketed ultrasounds all can be carried in your pocket in the medical tools carried will do the diagnosis for you.
Traditionally, doctors put much emphasis on already-established consultation processes in the patient room and the prescription template has been kept intact. As a rule, the patients attend the doctors, who make their physical observations and clinical diagnostics by means of such non-invasive methods as auscultation with a stethoscope. The physician may prescribe medications, or recommend the adoption of healthy living practices such as dieting and exercising. On special instances; alongside and with diagnosis, procedures like ultrasounds and X-rays are also used as well as specialist referrals which the doctor can suggest.
In the 21st century, the last decade has already faced some of the major disruptions caused by digital health now in Patient consultation, disruption has taken center stage. Since time passes we can observe significant paradigmatic transformations in the general model of medical care.
In today’s era, the modern doctor can carry an array of diagnostic tools in a single briefcase, rendering even the iconic stethoscope outdated.
So, what are these essential devices for the contemporary physician? And why haven’t we witnessed an influx of high-tech doctors embracing these advancements? Moreover, do these innovations signify a replacement for the traditional healthcare system? Join us as we delve into these inquiries and more in our latest article.
The Stethoscope Embraces Digitalization and Integrates with ECG Technology
The stethoscope has been digitised, its success uniting with the numerous features of an ECG. Imagine today we were in the mission of going back in time to the 19^{th} century, not only are our minds boggled by the new technology but also did we face rejections like what people have done during the time of the invention of the stethoscope. Many physicians were hesitant to rely on a piece of equipment over their own ears, fearing a detachment from the patient. It took the S-shaped stethoscope two decades to attain global acceptance and be the defining symbol of a doctor. However, even this traditional tool has become outdated with its digital evolution.
The Eko Core, FDA-approved, CE-cleared, and compatible with HIPAA-compliant apps, epitomizes the evolution of the stethoscope. Its latest flagship product, the 3M Littman Core, offers remarkable features such as 40x heart sound amplification in digital mode, active noise cancellation, seven amplification levels, and automated murmur detection. Users can fine-tune readings based on the organ of focus (heart, lung, or other) and the patient’s position (sitting or standing). Additionally, the device’s app enables users to save, share, and even livestream audio for telemedical purposes.
The Eko Duo ECG+Stethoscope is another notable innovation, offering combined digital stethoscope and wireless ECG capabilities. With features like automated murmurs and AFib detection, 32x sound amplification, Bluetooth connectivity, and FDA clearance, the Duo represents cutting-edge technology in healthcare.
Pocket-Sized ECG Device: Your Heart Monitor On-the-Go
What comes to your mind as soon as you hear of ECG equipment may be a big machine with alarming wires being another connected to the monitor for heart rate readings. However, the necessity does not vanish in the era of advanced digital health at all, since the device has become portable and now can fit your pocket.
KardiaMobile devices have undergone significant evolution, as depicted in the generations displayed in a recent picture we shared. In this last version of their product, the size was reduced further with the development the KardiaMobile Card, a pocket ECG that is like a credit card and is FDA-cleared. This six-in-one tool is a diagnostic test for AFib, Bradycardia, Tachycardia, SVE, PVCs and Sinus Rhythm, among others, with wide QRS. It is device-activated by either Bluetooth or Bluetooth LE, and runs on Android app version 6.0 or higher (for V1 device) or iOS App version 10.3.3 or higher (for V2 device) It is enabled by subscription to enable deeper insight and analysis of your heart health.
We recently conducted tests on the Card, and the video will be released shortly on our YouTube channel, so stay tuned if you’re interested. In the meantime, let’s not forget about the impressive previous model we examined, the Kardia 6L. This device, also FDA-cleared, is a 6-lead pocket ECG capable of detecting conditions like atrial fibrillation (AFib) and abnormal heart rates (tachycardia/bradycardia). It seamlessly transmits readings to your smartphone for storage and sharing purposes.
Rapid Blood Pressure Monitoring: Readings in Just 30 Seconds
The digital transformation of centuries-old medical devices extends to blood pressure monitors, first invented in 1881. In the 21st century, the evolution is evident in FDA-cleared devices like the iHealth blood pressure monitors. Take the iHealth Clear, for instance, a lightweight and portable device capable of measuring systolic, diastolic, and heart rate readings in just 30 seconds. It seamlessly connects to smartphones, enabling users to store results in a digital logbook and compare readings to previous measurements for informed decision-making on prevention and treatment.
Manufacturers are continuously striving to develop more convenient and comfortable solutions for blood pressure monitoring, exemplified by innovations like the Omron smartwatch we recently tested. While the ambition is commendable and the effort necessary, it’s clear that we have yet to achieve the ideal solution. Even though the areas in which the smartwatch failed were minimal, they did not perform up to their expectations.
Ultra-Portable Ultrasound Devices: Revolutionizing Point-of-Care Imaging
Patients actually live in an era where pocket-size can be used by busy oximeters to detect through ultrasound. Earlier, we tested the Convex Pro and the Tri-Scan Max Portable Ultrasound, two devices that liberate ultrasound-based diagnosis from the confines of the hospital, providing access to it wherever you may be. These devices pair with a smart device to deliver real-time, high-resolution ultrasound images, akin to those produced by traditional ultrasound machines.
The latest addition to our inventory is the Tri-Scan Max by DrSono, currently the only portable ultrasound device benchmarked against cart-based machines that I’ve had the opportunity to try. This AI-backed, portable device continues to impress me.
This epitomizes the promise of digital health: delivering cutting-edge medical care wherever it’s required, rather than necessitating a visit to a state-of-the-art facility when the need arises.
Pocket-Sized Ear Technology: Revolutionizing Auditory Healthcare
Ear examinations can be uncomfortable for patients and challenging for physicians, especially in cases involving small or partially obstructed ear canals. However, there’s a solution: the Cellscope otoscope. This innovative device, paired with an accompanying app, transforms a user’s iPhone into a smart video otoscope. With the app, users can record and store videos and images of the ear canal and eardrum, which are seamlessly synced to a web app for convenient review.
Additionally, the pocketable WiscMed otoscope addresses these challenges with its built-in nano camera, which captures clear images of the eardrum. In this way, a patient can see these things without any uncomfortable contact with them; rather he/she can look from the screen monitor.
Cutting-Edge Eye Technology: The development of optic devices.
The door is opened for people who do not live close to an optometrist, thanks to an MIT patent of EyeQue’s technology. This allows everyone to have access to technical eye testing through devices. The Personal Vision Tracker assesses an individual’s refractive status, identifying near- or farsightedness and astigmatism, while the EyeQue Insight measures visual acuity. These devices are lightweight, affordable, and accurate, facilitating remote eye testing and delivering it where it’s needed. Once again, they fulfil the promise of digital health by making essential eye care accessible and convenient.
The All-in-One Solution: A Health Care System Incudeding of Multiple Dimensions
Star Trek had aided the freedom that physicians all over the planet enjoyed when it was demonstrated how complex parameters could be examined within a few seconds using a tricorder. However tricorder is not yet valid, Viatom CheckMe Pro contains similar specs. This pocket-sized and FDA-approved device can measure. ECG, blood oxygen level, body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate It also serves as a gauge for step count, especially in addition to other health parameters. There are also other companies that studied this concept such as BioSTicker of BioIntelliSense and MedWand which was introduced in 2021 CES. We are now waiting, with shortened breath, for their arrival and we sure are that they will bring bracely to health care.
Diminished resistance to changes is universal whether it is health care or other areas of human activity. Despite the fact that statistics from the year 2019 indicate that most doctors are not ready to adopt the latest health technologies such as telemedicine and artificial intelligence fully at all, they merely use these technologies at most 50 percent of the time. Consequently, maybe the actual fact of the grounds has been affected by the outbreak and, thus, we expect to see new figures showing the real and accurate figures.
One of the main barriers that stand in the way of these system’s adoption is that many physicians are not aware of their existence at all. There is no wonder that the lack of time and a huge number of new studies in the area of healthcare cause many healthcare professionals who are unable to be up to date with the apparatuses that are used in the treatment of sleep disorders. Others think they cannot be purchased or very expensive, so some smugly claimed that they are not for you. From the very start they already had an approval of the regulatory bodies and the medical authorities, are truly inexpensive in comparison with traditional devices and can be found on every market.
This is not a Hospital in a Bag
As appealing as the idea may be, these devices are far from capable of replacing hospitals entirely. Hospitals will continue to play a crucial role in providing in-depth tests such as MRI scans, lab analyses, surgeries, and specialized care for critical cases. Moreover, portable diagnostics can play a significant part in helping the overwhelmed healthcare facilities to treat the patients whatsoever, which caused a shortage of personnel because of the pandemic.
As per the WHO, by the end of 2035 the gap between demand for and availability of health care workers will be 12.9 million i.e 12.9 million workers are expected to shortage in world. Using these devices as portable diagnostic platforms, non-physician healthcare professional technicians are able to run out parametric tests even at premises outside a hospital, while they can send the data to a doctor for deeper assessment when it is necessary. Through Digital Health, this potential is seen to be very great especially in areas that are remote and underdeveloped.
These devices as well alleviate the strain on health system by the fact, that they allow patients to govern their own well-being. The constant drop in prices and wide distribution of these devices among the common people will lead to a tsunami as the point-of-care is being pushed right at the patient. Patients will be capable of seeing their health statistics, upload the data and if they find out they have abnormality in their data, they can react quickly. Home diagnosis tests are also an option and patients who will need hospital treatment will be routed to hospitals if they show any suspicious signs during the process.
Digital health is ushering in a real revolution by democratizing diagnosis, communication, and health education, while also shifting the point-of-care to where it rightfully belongs: a person who receives medical care. The policies will generate motivation to about linking devices by various health facilities and physicians into normal health systems. Moreover, overseeing these technologies among patients by teaching them the advantages that these technologies have to offer and helping them bring there own devices as well as sharing their data with their physicians when they are with them will also increase the role of digital health.
While we move towards the future, the bank would definitely witness the more changes where the technology will be taking over the health arena, probably for our benefits.
The potential for positive transformation in healthcare is immense, and embracing digital health innovations will undoubtedly lead to improved patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery.