WIN Human Recorder Co Ltd, a Japan-based firm, has introduced a new health monitoring service to keep an eye on a person’s health by capturing data like electrocardiographic signals and body surface temperature, and then wirelessly transmitting that data to a mobile phone or computer where a professional or family member can access it remotely. The company commercialized the health monitoring system, which is called the “human recorder system,” based on the research results of the Advanced Institute of Wearable Information Networks (WIN), a nonprofit organization established by researchers at the University of Tokyo. WIN is a group led by Kiyoshi Itao, professor emeritus at the university.
HOW IT WORKS
A small, lightweight sensor — weighing only about seven grams — attaches to the patient’s chest to measure electrocardiograph signals, heart rate, brain waves, body surface temperature, and respiration among other vital signs. It can also detect stress levels and heartbeat fluctuations. Human movements are detected by a three-axis acceleration sensor. A single CR2032 battery is able to keep it going for up to four days while using 2.4GHz wireless connectivity to transmit its data — making it a whole lot more convenient to remotely monitor the health condition of an elderly person who lives alone or who cannot easily travel to a healthcare facility.
CURRENT STATUS
The service is only available in Japan at this point and is expected to cost the equivalent of about $100 monthly for software rental while the sensor itself will retail for around $300.