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Consumer Electronics Show 2016: Notable Medical Devices

Consumer tech converges ever more with medtech today.

Consumer Electronics Show 2016: Notable Medical Devices

The Project Zero Wrist and Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitors and the new Omron Connect App from Omron Healthcare

Lake Forest, Ill.-based Omron Healthcare Inc. gave a sneak peak of its Project Zero Wrist and Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitors and the new Omron Connect App – clinically-tested, highly accurate heart health tools that will be available this year and are part of a major heart health initiative that the company is rolling out in 2016. “Blood pressure monitors must go beyond tracking numbers. Omron Healthcare is aiming at a greater mission – to help improve heart health. In addition to building on our heritage of accuracy, we are designing our new products to provide more insights, encourage behavioral change, and promote healthier lifestyle habits,” said Chief Operating Officer Ranndy Kellogg.

The TempTraq Wearable Thermometer from Blue Spark Technologies

Westlake Ohio-based Blue Spark Technologies Inc.’s TempTraq wearable thermometer was a CES innovation award winner. The Bluetooth, wearable temperature monitor comes in the form of a soft, comfortable patch to provide caregivers with continuous temperature data. Additionally, the patch will also be available in a new extended 48-hour version so temperature can be monitored longer when needed. The wearable patch alleviates many concerns of those caring for an ill or recovering loved one, including eliminating the need to continually disturb or wake them. TempTraq includes a free downloadable Apple or Androidcompatible app.

Ember from Cercacor Laboratories

Irvine, Calif.-based Cercacor Laboratories launched Ember, a device that can measure hemoglobin and pulse rate in 90 seconds with a fingertip sensor. It works similarly to a common pulse oximeter, but also eight LEDs to allow for the extreme sensitivity necessary to accurately and precisely measure hemoglobin. The measurements are synced via Bluetooth to an app which can display trends over time and correlate them with the season and the altitude at which they were taken. And unlike with a blood test, users can painlessly measure their hemoglobin with Ember as often and as long as they would like.

The Healthbox from HTC and Under Armour

“The Healthbox” is a collaboration between Taiwanese smartphone/tablet company HTC Corporation and athletic apparel company Under Armour (UA) Inc. The Package consists of the UA Band, a wristworn activity tracker designed for athletes; UA Heart Rate, a chest strap heart monitor to measure workout intensity and estimate calories burned; and UA Scale, a WiFi weight scale that also measures body fat percentage. The HealthBox will be available for $400 at Under Armour stores starting January 22, and will then role out to other U.S. locations in the first quarter. International sales will begin later in the year.

The Thermo Thermometer from Withings

French Company Withings introduced its Thermo thermometer, which measures temperature from the temporal artery on the die of the head. According to the company, with just a point in the direction of the artery, without requiring any motion or scanning, the sensors take 4,000 measurements in two seconds while a specially-designed algorithm automatically corrects for biases, such as skin heat loss and the ambient temperature. The hottest point is then determined to ensure the most accurate and reliable single temperature reading. Withings plans to launch the device this quarter and sell it for $99.95. The connected app will be available for both Apple and Android phones.

The Oxxiom Disposable Pulse Oximeter from True Wearables

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based True Wearables, Inc. introduced Oxxiom, a wireless, continuous, fully disposable, single-use pulse oximeter. Oxxiom measures arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), pulse rate (PR), and perfusion index (PI). True Wearables’ design combines the electronics and biosensing technology of a clinical grade pulse oximeter into a tiny, easy-to-use, and completely wireless device that offers over 24 hours of continuous monitoring. Oxxiom weighs only 0.12 ounces (3.5 grams) and is completely disposable, eliminating the need for sterilization and significantly reducing the risks of cross contamination.