It's been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. With health care costs on the rise, the shift to real time monitoring and mobile diagnostics that require minimal visits to facilities help to contain costs. The Metria Wearable Sensor Technology keeps tabs on a wearer's vital signs, giving a doctor or patient the chance to watch for patterns that may indicate issues with the cardiovascular or respiratory systems, and allowing for preventative treatments to be initiated to avoid a heart attack or the development of other serious conditions. The sensors are designed to keep tabs on one's heart rate, physical activity, respirations, and caloric intake. In addition to diagnostic monitoring this sensor may also play a part in a fitness or sports training program, as a tool for managing homecare situations for the elderly, and for anyone recovering or living with a chronic condition.
At first glance, the Metria resembles a large bandage. Tucked inside is a low-profile wearable sensor consisting of a discreet monitoring device and a transmitter that enables a wireless connection. It is applied beneath clothing near the heart or on the upper arm, just as one would apply an adhesive bandage. A specially developed skin-friendly adhesive holds it in place for up to seven days. The Metria monitors heartbeat, pulse, temperature, and respirations as well as sleep duration and activity levels while a patient goes about his or her daily routines, including showering. The data is then sent via Bluetooth to an app on the patient's smartphone or to a website, or directly to the doctor's office. Algorithms analyze the data, providing valuable information for medical personnel and for the patient him- or herself. A user-friendly interface creates summaries of the results, reports on trends, and can plot graphs using the gathered information. The data can then be used for diagnostic purposes, treatment monitoring and planning, or for setting personal fitness goals.
Until recently, a patient had to be admitted to a medical facility or tied to a bulky, uncomfortable monitor in order to gather the needed diagnostic information, causing disruption of his or her daily routine, and incurring expenses associated with medical care, and the need to travel long distances to a doctor's office. With the help of Metria, the patient is spared the disruption of his or her daily routine while the costs of treatment and monitoring are reduced.
Prototypes of the Metria appeared in January, 2012, in the Digital Health Summit exhibit at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It received a patent in 2012 and is being presented at the Wearable Technologies Conference in July, 2012, in San Francisco, and in November, 2012, in Germany.
Fran Jablway
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Hulet Smith, OT
