AT&T and mobile healthcare software maker OneLife Technologies have developed a medical-grade smartwatch with LTE-M certification, allowing the monitoring device to stay connected for up to five days.
Along with its onboard movement, sleep, heart rate, location, and fall tracking capabilities, the OnePulse smartwatch can connect to and collect data from medical devices like blood pressure cuffs or SPo2 monitors, according to an announcement from the companies. Data encryption and an open API also allow the device to speak with certain EHR platforms, with customization options to fine tune the device’s connected services for specific conditions. And, thanks to its network connectivity, data and alerts from the watch can be continuously communicated to family members or care teams.
“Enabling AT&T connectivity for our devices is a major step in launching our ‘Hub-of-Care’ concept in becoming a leading Population Health Platform with our innovative wearable having the ability to connect patients to their caregivers, virtually in near real-time, almost anywhere in North America,” Robert Wagner, CEO of OneLife Technologies, said in a statement. “We all want the best healthcare possible — in an emergency, as we age, for our loved ones, or to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Now, that level of service is available with the AT&T-connected OnePulse medical and health smartwatch.”
The companies plan to have the OnePulse available to providers for purchase by March, and will be demonstrating the smartwatch next week at Mobile World Congress Barcelona.
What’s the impact
Wearable medical-grade monitors have been around for some time, but advancing tech is leading to new devices that are more capable and less obtrusive. The OnePulse watch’s numerous functions and compatibilities could prove a boon to providers seeking a catch-all continuous monitor that fits into their wider network of devices and platforms.
What’s the trend
Although a swath of consumer smartwatches with health-related features have recently been the center of conversation, a handful of healthcare-focused devices are still grabbing headlines. Within the past year, aktiia and Global Kinetics Corporation both received investor support for their disease-focused watches, while the Verily Study Watch and its on-demand ECG feature landed 510(k) clearance just last month.
On the record
“Connected smartwatches developed with healthcare in mind are a step forward into the future of patient care,” Joe Mosele, VP of internet of things at AT&T, said in a statement. “The ability to connect caregivers and patients is just one example of how connectivity is transforming healthcare and creating new care models. Our network will help medical providers and caregivers monitor patients from a distance and receive alerts if something goes wrong.”
