3. Smartphone-connected pacemaker devices
Pacemakers and defibrillators deliver electrical impulses to the heart muscle chambers to contract and pump blood to the body. They are used to prevent and correct arrhythmias, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Remote monitoring is an essential part of treatment with the devices, but remote monitoring has typically taken place through a bedside console that transmits the pacemaker or defibrillator data to the physician. However, many patients don’t understand how the device function or fail to adhere sufficiently to remote monitoring.
“The remote monitoring of these devices is an essential part of the treatment of these patients,” Dr. Khaldoun Tarakji, staff in cardiovascular medicine at Cleveland Clinic, said at the virtual Cleveland Clinic Medical Innovation Summit. “This advancement could not be accomplished without the advancement of Bluetooth technology.”
Bluetooth-enabled pacemaker devices can solve the issues of disconnection between patients and cardiac treatments. When used with a mobile app, the connected device allows patients to have greater insight into the health data from the pacemakers and transmit the health information to physicians.