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Last Words
IBM Takes Heart Monitor a Step Further
By Bill Berkrot, Reuters
17/12/2002
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A tiny device that reads a heart rate monitor and automatically sends a warning call to a predetermined cell phone number if the user is in distress, could soon aid people at high risk of cardiac problems.
A team from IBM Engineering and Technology Services has successfully tested the relay device and is actively seeking a customer to turn it into a consumer product, the company said.
It remains to be seen whether the instrument will be produced and marketed by a medical device company, a cell phone network provider or an athletic equipment manufacturer. But the designers see a variety of uses for it and are busy working on variations on the theme.
While portable heart rate monitors have been available to joggers, cyclists, heart patients and assorted weekend warriors for some time, this device goes a couple of steps further, explained Bryan Striemer, a development engineer for IBM and one of the inventors.
"Suddenly we were able to send heart rate information over cell phone networks," Striemer told Reuters in a telephone interview from Rochester, Minnesota.
The device uses radio frequency wireless technology, such as short-range Bluetooth technology, to read a heart monitor. When a predetermined heart rate that signals possible cardiac distress is reached, the device automatically sends a text message alert via cell phone to any pre-programmed cell phone number, such as a physician, care-giver or the emergency services.
Striemer said the developers initially focused on uses for the elderly -- "somebody who wanted to be independent and live alone but they have a heart condition that they wanted to have monitored all the time.
"Then pretty quickly we got into the issue of athletes as well," he added.
In addition to its potential life-saving function for those who want to continue a vigorous exercise regimen but are at risk for heart problems, the device could send heart rate information from runners or cyclists to coaches or conditioning trainers for reference.
Its convenient size should make it attractive to runners or other athletes who are not willing to take on extra weight or carry around cumbersome devices. "Our device is the size and shape of a few sticks of chewing gum," Striemer said.
Of course, the user must have a cell phone and it must be turned on to automatically transmit the crucial information.
Striemer is working on incorporating global positioning technology into a version of the device that would enable an elderly person or someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease who became lost or confused to send their whereabouts to their children or a designated care-giver's cell phone.
He also has a pedometer version in the works to allow athletes to send distance information to coaches or to a training database.
No price structure has been determined for the device, but a spokesman for IBM Engineering and Technology Services said they were determined to make it affordable for the average consumer.
"It will not be overboard pricewise, nothing prohibitive," promised Cary Ziter.
"What I would love to see in next coming months is that this would be available in your local athletic store and be in a price range of similar gadgets," Striemer said.
The original article appeared at Reuters
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