iPhone turns into a stethoscope

MailOnline looks at the newest way to transform your iPhone into another gadget. The iStethoscope is a device that can turn your phone into a heart monitor. The app that records the heart beat was developed by Peter Bentley pf the University College London.

He said, "Smartphones are incredibly powerful devices packed full of sensors, cameras, high-quality microphones with amazing displays. They are capable of saving lives, saving money and improving healthcare in a dramatic fashion – and we carry these massively powerful computers in our pockets."

Panasonic introduces digital hearing devices to the US market

Panasonic is bringing their digital hearing devices to the US market. The three styles are styled and designed to meet the needs of both the patient and the doctor.

Yoshi Yuasa, Senior Vice President, Panasonic Corporation of North America, said:
"We are thrilled to bring three new Panasonic digital hearing instruments to the U.S. and make products available from a brand that is associated with quality sound. Panasonic digital hearing instruments deliver the same high-quality, reliability, and innovation that our customers have grown to appreciate from our audio products. We manufacture our own digital signal processors and have developed a unique algorithm to enable precise sound reproduction. Panasonic is known as one of the leaders in acoustic science, and is committed to provide innovative hearing solutions through advanced technology."

View the three different models that are avaialble at PR Newswire.

Smartphones are the gateway for personal health devices

The personal digital health industry is on the rise, and this is just one of the reasons Qualcomm and AT&T are teaming up to provide health devices to consumers. Don Jones, a vice-president at Qualcomm, recently stated, "We meet with one medical device company a day."

With wireless gadgets expected to sell $600 million this year, and possibly double next year, the market to develop consumer health devices is unlimited. This past July, the FDA and FCC decided to work together on regulatory issues concerning mobile health devices. The switch to electronic medical records is one of the key reasons mobile health devices are gaining momentum. Allowing physicians to easily track the progress reported by the devices will enhance the care of patients and users. Read the full article at Sci Tech Today.

Best Buy to begin selling health devices in stores

Best Buy will begin to roll out digital health devices to in more than half of its stores nation wide reports Brian Dolin at Mobi Health. Devices may include blood-pressure monitors, pedometers, and fitness watches. Senior Director Kurt Hulander believes digital home health devices will provide tremendous opportunities for growth.

Best Buy will be attending Vital 2010 this October! They'll be presenting the case study Forming Viable Partnerships—A Best Buy-Meridian Health Case Study with Meridian Health. For more on their presentation, visit the Vital webpage and download the brochure!

Medical homes using technology to remotely monitor patients

Digital home health monitoring is increasing, and Fortune Magazine looks at how it has affected residents and hospitals, saving money and improving health. Doctors use technologies to monitor patients in the home, and can alert the patient when something is wrong, rather than having expensive emergency visits to the hospital.

CNN Money also took time to look at how these pilot programs are working across the nation:

Telemedicie expanding in California

The Sacramento Bee shares California's new medical system that will help citizens of the state have access to the best and brightest doctors. The location of the doctor nor the patient is important, the digital access allows on patient room to be connected to another doctor's room. To kick off the program, there are 50 clinics that have the capabilities to contribute to the telemedicine efforts. By the end of 2011, over 900 facilities will be equipped. The UC Davis Medical Center is functioning as the effort's home base.

Consumers monitoring their blood pressure digitally

In a recent article at HTC Developers, they look at how digital blood pressure monitors are becoming the way for individuals to keep their own tabs on their own health. They are portable and reliable. How can devices like these help consumers monitor their health? If more consumers are aware of their blood pressure, could these devices become a standard in American health?

Compete in the Consumer Digital Health Market, Attend VITAL 2010

Countless technologies for fitness, wellness, senior care and disease management enter the market daily. But the question is, when and how will they impact clinical outcomes, reduce cost and help consumers take control of their health?

Join us in San Francisco on October 6 for VITAL, an all new event focused on exploring the realities of this emerging marketplace and seizing the business opportunities made possible by the creation of in-home health tools and devices.

With group discussions and case studies by leading health plans, employers, providers, and retailers, you will walk away with insight into consumer adoption trends, clinical outcomes data, unique business partnerships, reimbursement incentives, and standards for integration.

The 2010 speaking faculty includes:
• Kevin Riley, VP, Innovation and Consumer Health Solutions, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
• Craig Lipset, Director, Health Technologies, Pfizer
• Harry Wang, Director, Health and Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates
• Paul Puopolo, Director of Consumer Innovation, Humana
• Sandra Elliott, Director of Consumer Health Technology, Meridian Health
Click Here for the complete Speaker line up

PLUS! A keynote presentation from Thomas Goetz, Executive Editor, Wired Magazine and Author, “The Decision Tree: Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of Personalized Medicine”

The adoption of in home devices is on the rise and will continue to be a critical piece of the consumer centric health care model. Find out how you can compete in this exciting new market at VITAL.

Technology appearing at the gym

In a recent expose by KRWG-TV/FM Las Cruces/El Paso, they look at a local gym that has implemented a digital system to help individuals achieve their fitness needs. The system monitors progress and allows individuals to set goals, while working with fitness trainers to stay on course.

Watch the video:

Vital: The Consumer Digital Health Event: Brochure now available!

As the patient moves to the center of healthcare delivery, innovative personal health technologies empower the consumer with a wealth of data and information. This all new event unites leaders from health plans, employers, providers, and retailers, to discuss the sale and adoption of these technologies to improve health outcomes. Vital: The Consumer Digital Health Event will be taking place October 6, 2010 in San Francisco, California.

Visit the webpage to find out more about the event and download the brochure!

Intel and GE joining to market home based technologies

On Monday, GE and Intel announced that they would be forming a partnership in order to produce home based health technologies. By combining their assets, they hope to capitalize in the next five years on commercialized home health devices. They will focus on three main categories: chronic disease management, independent living and assistive technologies. One of the main barriers they will be facing together is the lack of insurance coverage for digital home health devices. Read more at Fierce Mobile Healthcare.