“Mini-hospital” for seniors and people requiring medical monitoring – worn on the wrist

Israel-based Tadiran Spectralink has used its considerable mobile communication expertise to create a portable “mini-hospital” to make life easier for at-risk patients, chronically ill patients and people requiring nursing care. The company which is best known for its Advanced Data Links for Guided Weapons Systems, UAV datalinks, satellite communications and personal survivor radios for adventurers and the military has leveraged this expertise to develop a medical device that lets patients monitor their health and call help when there is no doctor around. The device, which is worn on the wrist like a watch, uses biosensors to continuously check vital functions, which are then transmitted by an embedded Siemens GSM/GPRS radio module to a medical center for further analysis. This innovative device will become available early in 2006 under the name MDKeeper.

The new unit measures e.g. patients’ pulse, cardiac rhythm and blood oxygen values without inconveniencing them. The user, e.g. at-risk patients with cardiac or circulatory diseases, patients with chronic illnesses and seniors can enjoy constant monitoring and support without having to visit their doctor. The information is stored on a chip, analyzed and transmitted in real time or as needed over the GSM/GPRS network to a medical center. “This is the first time that a medical control device has been combined with mobile communication technology, enabling people in need to be monitored anywhere anytime and maintain their normal lifestyle” said Itzhak Beni, President and CEO of Tadiran Spectralink.

In addition to biosensors and a radio module, the unit has everything the user needs to send emergency calls or place mobile calls to predefined people or call centers. Thanks to its integrated MC55 Siemens radio module, the device works almost everywhere in the world on all GSM/GPRS networks.

The unit is very lightweight and easy to operate. First product tests are currently being conducted in Israel and Sweden , with results expected for later this year.