The USC Center for Body Computing (CBC), an initiative to study and create the future of wireless medicine, recently announced its 17 founding members. The members will support wireless health research and innovation, and help develop product prototypes.

The founding members of the CBC include Agamatrix, AirStrip Technologies, Apollo Health Resources, Avery Dennison Medical Solutions, Ayogo Games, Boston Scientific, eHow.com, Impact Sports Technologies, Independa, Karten Design, Massive Health, Medtronic, Proteus Biomedical, Sotera Wireless, St. Jude Medical,The Sexton Company, and Zephyr Technology.

CBC plans to conduct efficacy studies focused on how mobile phones can be used in the prevention of illnesses and epidemics. The center also studies social media's role in healthcare, develops medical apps, and produces conferences.

"We are establishing the University of Southern California as the epicenter of wireless health," stated Dr Leslie A. Saxon, the executive director of the CBC, in a press release. "Our founding members are a critical part of the Center for Body Computing. We are jointly creating product prototypes and economic models for wireless health. We believe wireless medicine has the potential to help millions, if not billions, of people. Wireless health solutions can democratize medicine by breaking down the barriers between health care providers and patients, leading to faster and more cost-effective cures, and increased access to health solutions for people worldwide."

Read the full press release after the jump.