Indiegogo Tricorder claims to simplify collection of vital signs

http://www.wired.com/design/2013/06/scanadu-scout/

by robbiep • 13 years ago

1 1 13 years ago

robbiep• 13 years ago

As someone involved in the medical field I am a bit blown away by claims that this can measure blood pressure, pulse ox, ECG and a questionable emotional stress just by being held to the temple. (I have a really hard time in particular in believing that BP can be measured with any accuracy by holding some device to the forehead)

On the one hand this is great and helpful if it is both highly sensitive and specific to all of the measured claims. It could, for instance, be very useful (with >95% sensitivity and specificity) for patients with chronic diseases.

In the grey space between meeting the sensitivity/specificity of current devices (thermometer, BP manometer, full rhythm strip or 12 lead ECG) I tend to think that this device is mostly hype - data for data's sake is not beneficial to health. Derangement of none of these measurements (or, indeed, any of the measurements it makes) are going to drastically change how you manage either your own health or anyone else's.

In the tail end of the spectrum, if it can't measure these stats with reliable specificity and sensitivity then it's worse than trivia - it's useless noise that could harm health.

will be very interested to see how the device pans out

Indiegogo Tricorder claims to simplify collection of vital signs

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