According to the American Heart Association there are over 74 million Americans suffering from hypertension, killing 56,541 people in 2006 alone. One of the biggest recommendations for sufferers is to regularly monitor blood pressure.
Now there is no excuse for not finding the time to keep a record of your blood pressure results. A new device helps you take your own blood pressure at your convenience without even leaving your computer. Although you might want to make sure that you’re not playing some overly exciting computer game or reading an angry email from the boss first!
California based CalHealth, Inc, has devised an ingenious computer mouse that incorporates a compact blood pressure monitor. The MDMouse System not only lets you keep tabs on your heart health but includes a software system that allows the data to be directly stored on your computer to either send to your doctors, keep for your own record, or send to any third party. The software allows you to create graphs from the data and record blood pressure reading over an amount of time. The system involves no human interaction and the data goes directly to the computer.
As the medical world becomes more integrated with the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system devices such as the MDMouse will allow for easy recording and data transfer to medical health professionals.
The software also allows the user to set an alarm on the mouse that can send a reminder to take blood pressure medication, take a reading, or to simply remind them of a doctor’s appointment.
Stored inside the computer mouse is a blood pressure finger cuff that rotates out of the mouse, allowing the user to insert an index finger. The monitor is powered from the mouse’s USB connection. The automatic motorized air pump then inflates the tube around the finger. Pressure sensors cut off the pump when the correct amount of pressure has been applied. A blood pressure reading is then taken with results being posted directly to the software stored on the computer.
This is the first device of CalHealth, Inc, who aims to produce a number of medical devices that can be incorporated into a conventional computer mouse.
It is rumored that this device will be on the market in the next few months, although there is no word, as of yet, on pricing.
Source: http://www.mdmouse.com/957.html