New platform connects medical devices to cloud data centers

By Eden Estopace | Jan 16, 2012

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A new platform for connecting wireless medical devices to cloud-based data centers for easy retrieval, storage or transferring of biometric information was launched at the mHealth Summit in the US last December and is now gaining attention from mobile device manufacturers and healthcare organizations.

Qualcomm Life, which developed the new technology solution called 2net Platform and Hub, said more than 40 healthcare organizations are now either integrating with or considering the 2net ecosystem for creating an interoperable ecosystem of medical devices, mobile medical applications and healthcare practitioners.

The technology makes it easy for companies to connect wirelessly to their medical devices so that data can be made available across the continuum of care. The system works this way: Data is obtained from a patient’s medical device through several gateways, such as mobile phones or any cellular-enabled device that connect to the customer service platform. Once the data is acquired from the medical device, it is encrypted and then stored in the 2net Platform over a cellular connection. After the 2net Platform has received the transmission, patient medical device data is transferred to the manufacturers’ interface of choice for the end-user.

“Our services, including integration on the 2net Platform, remove the burden for medical device manufacturers of a large technical development effort, providing integration with mobile carriers and solving the operational complexities of supporting wireless medical device data in the field,” said Rick Valencia, vice president and general manager of Qualcomm Life.

The 2net Platform, he added, is ISO 13485 certified and designed to comply with the quality requirements of US and international regulatory agencies in the health care industry.

Diabetes management

Richard Strobridge, chief executive officer of Entra Health Systems, an early adopter of the solution, said the 2net Platform will expand the organization's ability to connect patients with caregivers, family and clinicians by providing a direct wireless connection within every home.

“Integration with the 2net ecosystem will open up new markets for MyGlucoHealth wireless blood glucose meter and diabetes management system within senior care, home health care and assisted living where patients have limited access to wireless technology,” he said.

MyGlucoHealth's a wireless blood glucose monitor allows patients to electronically record and monitor blood sugar levels. Data is transferred via a cellular connection to the 2Net Platform and to the MyGlucose Health Portal to be analyzed, stored and transmitted to the patient's electronic health record (EHR). MyClucoHealth can also set up reminders to encourage patients to test more frequently and to notify, family, caregivers and clinicians when results fluctuates.

The meter, along with the MyClucoHealth Network forms an integrated telehealth platform that supports patients and healthcare professionals in the control and treatment of diabetes.

Reducing healthcare cost for asthma

A case study published in the Qualcomm website said there is an estimated 25 million Americans suffering from asthma, which leads to around half a million hospital visits every year.

Working with Qualcomm Life, Wisconsin-based company Asthmapolis, is now developing wireless solution to help improve the day-to-day management of asthma to reduce healthcare cost and to provide patients with the ability to monitor their conditions, especially those who are not using mobile phones such as very small children and the elderly.

The company has pioneered the use of medical sensors to collect data from patients, which is also valuable for public health agencies in monitoring the prevalence of the disease in communities. The forthcoming 2net solution basically connects these devices wirelessly for sending the information to remote data server for analysis.
 
Help for rural health

At least 60 percent of India's 1.2 billion people live in rural areas. However, 60 percent of the population also have mobile phones and have access to wireless services. This presented an opportunity for Apollo Hospitals to bring healthcare to more people.

This year, it will be launching at least 2 programs -- one is an early discharge kit, which will allow patients to leave the hospital sooner after surgery and continue hospital monitoring at home; and 'clinics in a bag,' which will allow healthcare workers to set up pop-up clinics in remote areas.

These two services will be made possible by wireless connectivity to hospitals that would allow for patient monitoring and close communication between healthcare professionals and patients.

“We believe the 2net Platform and Hub’s promotion of medical device connectivity will enable a sea change in health care, where we observe stressed medical systems burdened by a mounting prevalence of chronic disease,” stated Don Jones, vice president of global strategy and market development for Qualcomm Life. “Already, several members of the 2net ecosystem are able to provide remote monitoring functionality for chronic disease management, enhancing the quality of care for their patients.”

Qualcomm Life is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm and the 2net Platform and Hub is its first healthcare technology solution. At the mHealth Summit last December, a $100-million Qualcomm Life Fund was also established to be managed by its investment group, Qualcomm Ventures.