New wearable communication system offers potential to reduce digital health divide

New wearable communication system offers potential to reduce digital health divide University of Arizona researchers developed a wearable device that can transmit health data 2,400 times the distance of Wi-Fi without significant network infrastructure. Katy Smith Today College of EngineeringDevice-at-desk-web.jpg A group of university researchers has developed a wearable monitoring device system that can send health data up to 15 miles – much farther than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth systems can – without any significant infrastructure. The device also charges wirelessly. Courtesy of Max Farley and Tucker StuartHealthScience and TechnologyAdaptationCollege of EngineeringExpertsResearch Media contact(s)Katy Smith College of Engineeringkatysmith@arizona.edu520-621-1992520-271-3780 Researcher contact(s)Philipp Gutruf Department of Biomedical Engineeringpgutruf@arizona.eduWearable devices that use sensors to monitor biological signals can play an important role in health care. These devices provide valuable information that allows providers to predict, diagnose and treat a variety of conditions while improving access to care and reducing costs.However, wearables currently require significant infrastructure – such as satellites or arrays of antennas that use cell signals – to transmit data, making many of those devices inaccessible to rural and under-resourced communities.A group of University of Arizona researchers has set out to change that with a wearable monitoring...
Source: The University of Arizona: Health - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Source Type: research