Tiny ‘plaster’ health monitoring chip gets closer
- 20 October 2006
Medical technology firm Toumaz Technology has released the Sensium modular system, a monitoring infrastructure that will support a device small enough to be attached to the body using a sticking plaster.
Toumaz, a startup founded at Imperial College, London, aims to develop a series of disposable wearable medical monitoring devices that automatically links to data collection and transmission devices such as PDAs and mobile phones.
The Sensium chip, which is currently under development, is intended to be an low-powered disposable chip, 6mm square, and monitors ECG, temperature, and respiration levels. The chip is being designed to last at least five days on its own, and Toumaz aims to make the price low enough so patients can afford to purchace the technology.
The Sensium system will run using a zinc-air battery and should be capable of continuous monitoring. It will work using some of the technology which Toumaz have developed whilst working on the Sensium chip.
The infrastructure uses a wireless data link to transmit readings to enabled Secure Digital cards or USB devices. The data on the devices can then be uploaded to PDAs, mobiles or laptops, where they can be processed and displayed via Toumaz’s proprietory ECGSoft software.
Keith Errey, co-founder and chief operating officer at Toumaz, told E-Health Insider that the modular system was a futher step towards the release of the chip. “We thought there was a gap in the industry that we could fill by using parts of the Sensium chip we are working on and the Zoum transceiver and putting them together with a few interfaces to come up with this low-powered body-worn monitoring system.
“Since making the product available we have had a lot of interest from groups who deal with chronic conditions, pharmacies and bigger companies interested in taking on the Sensium system, including using them as bedside units. We have also had interest from some NHS trusts and we hope to see the systems being used in hospitals across the country."
Errey added: “We have made the product as simple to use as possible. Patients will be given new batteries when they need replacing and can wear them all the time for ease. By integrating with standard mobile devices such PDAs and cellphones, the Sensium is defining new possibilities for low cost, disposable monitoring solutions."
Developers are currently finishing prototypes and Toumaz believes the full version product will be available within the next six months.
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