IoT wearable sensor platform integrates hardware, connectivity, and software for remote patient monitoring

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(Image: Getty/Melpomenem) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

VivaLNK’s wearable sensor platform – currently being used in a clinical trial to remotely monitor patients – integrates hardware, connectivity, and application software, taking an "uncommon" approach in the medical technology space, says CEO.

The Campbell, CA-based company recently was selected to participate in Plug & Play's Silicon Valley Health Batch 8 Program. The program is designed to connect health care technology and solution companies with corporate partners.

According to VivaLNK, more than 30 companies are now building connected solutions on the company’s new internet of things (IoT) medical wearable sensor platform, which captures human vitals and biometrics using its eSkin technology.

The wearable sensors include reusable temperature and electrocardiogram (ECG) patches to stream ECG rhythm, heart rate, RR-interval, temperature, and three-axis accelerometer data, according to the company, which expects to add to this lineup in the future.

VivaLNK’s Founder and CEO Jian Li said the offering combines both the wearable sensors with associated data connectivity software into an open and supported software development kit (SDK).

“This approach, while common in the computer industry, is uncommon in the medical technology space,” he told us. “In the medical tech space, you either have vertically integrated device solutions or pure-play software solutions.”

The problem with this is that applications such as remote patient monitoring (RPM) require high-quality data capture and analytics, Li said, “which means an integration of hardware, connectivity, and application software.”

The challenge? According to Li, few companies can do all three well. He said, “So by solving for the hardware and connectivity issues, we free application developers to focus on their medical domain, thereby accelerating innovation.”

VivaLNK is currently involved in a clinical trial at a cancer center, as part of which the company’s technology is being used to monitor chemotherapy patients at home after discharge. “The system aims to predict the onset of neutropenic fever post chemo treatment, in order to notify clinicians and prevent hospitalization,” explained Li. Key vitals being monitored include heart rate, respiration, and temperature.

“The alternative to RPM solutions in clinical trials is simply patient-reported symptoms or reliance on patient adherence to protocols at home. This is prone to errors and omissions,” added Li. “But with RPM technologies, the monitoring can be automated and reliance on patient adherence can be greatly reduced.”

Li noted the sensors’ small and light form factor which doesn’t interfere with daily activities is important, “because if the patient doesn’t like to use it, RPM won’t work.”

The company’s goal is to cover “all basic human vitals” on a single platform, and “become the best FDA/CE cleared wearable sensor platform for all basic human vitals,” said Li. “We’re also conscious of the need to make the platform patient friendly and cost effective in order to make medical care accessible to virtually anyone in the world.”