The same devices used to take selfies and type out tweets are being repurposed and commercialized for quick access to information needed for monitoring a patient’s health. A fingertip pressed against a phone’s camera lens can measure a heart rate. The microphone, kept by the bedside, can screen for sleep apnea. Even the speaker is being tapped, to monitor breathing using sonar technology.
In the best of this new world, the data is conveyed remotely to a medical professional for the convenience and comfort of the patient or, in some cases, to support a clinician without the need for costly hardware.
But using smartphones as diagnostic tools is a work in progress, experts say. Although doctors and their patients have found some real-world success in deploying the phone as a medical device, the overall potential remains unfulfilled and uncertain.
Smartphones come packed with sensors capable of monitoring a patient’s vital signs. They can help assess people for concussions, watch for atrial fibrillation, and conduct mental health wellness checks, to name the uses of a few nascent applications.
Oona Tempest/Kaiser Health News/TNS
Although doctors and their patients have found some real-world success in deploying smartphones as medical devices, the overall potential remains unfulfilled and uncertain. (Oona Tempest/Kaiser Health News/TNS)
Companies and researchers eager to find medical applications for smartphone technology are tapping into modern phones’ built-in cameras and light sensors; microphones; accelerometers, which detect body movements; gyroscopes; and even speakers. The apps then use artificial intelligence software to analyze the collected sights and sounds to create an easy connection between patients and physicians. Earning potential and marketability are evidenced by the more than 350,000 digital health products available in app stores, according to a Grand View Research report.
“It’s very hard to put devices into the patient home or in the hospital, but everybody is just walking around with a cellphone that has a network connection,” said Dr. Andrew Gostine, CEO of the sensor network company Artisight. Most Americans own a smartphone, including more than 60% of people 65 and over, an increase from just 13% a decade ago, according the Pew Research Center. The covid-19 pandemic has also pushed people to become more comfortable with virtual care.
Some of these products have sought FDA clearance to be marketed as a medical device. That way, if patients must pay to use the software, health insurers are more likely to cover at least part of the cost. Other products are designated as exempt from this regulatory process, placed in the same clinical classification as a Band-Aid. But how the agency handles AI and machine learning-based medical devices is still being adjusted to reflect software’s adaptive nature.
Ensuring accuracy and clinical validation is crucial to securing buy-in from health care providers. And many tools still need fine-tuning, said Dr. Eugene Yang, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington. Currently, Yang is testing contactless measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation gleaned remotely via Zoom camera footage of a patient’s face.
Judging these new technologies is difficult because they rely on algorithms built by machine learning and artificial intelligence to collect data, rather than the physical tools typically used in hospitals. So researchers cannot “compare apples to apples” with medical industry standards, Yang said. Failure to build in such assurances undermines the technology’s ultimate goals of easing costs and access because a doctor still must verify results.
“False positives and false negatives lead to more testing and more cost to the health care system,” he said.
Big tech companies like Google have heavily invested in researching this kind of technology, catering to clinicians and in-home caregivers, as well as consumers. Currently, in the Google Fit app, users can check their heart rate by placing their finger on the rear-facing camera lens or track their breathing rate using the front-facing camera.
“If you took the sensor out of the phone and out of a clinical device, they are probably the same thing,” said Shwetak Patel, director of health technologies at Google and a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Washington.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
As the core of the cardiovascular system, our heart does quite a lot, pumping blood and oxygen throughout our bodies, which is vital to sustaining life. Having a healthy heart can prevent heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S., which kills more than 650,000 people annually, with stroke being the fifth-leading cause of death in the nation.
There’s no specific cause of heart disease but there are risk factors such as smoking, remaining sedentary, and lifestyle choices that greatly increase chances of developing the condition. A nutrient-rich diet is one of the best ways to combat cardiovascular disease. The American diet and its obsession with salt certainly captured the attention of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), which, for the first time, in October 2021, issued final guidance within the food industry to reduce sodium in packaged and prepared foods for the next two and a half years. This is an effort to help Americans limit their sodium intake as high sodium poses a higher risk for high blood pressure, which maximizes the risks for heart disease and stroke. Taking this initiative to push for reduced sodium in packaged foods could potentially prevent thousands of premature deaths and chronic illnesses in the future.
Thistle compiled a list of how people can support a healthy heart, citing research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Heart Association. Read on to see some ways you can take care of your body and be on your journey to better heart health. It’s never too late to start.
Studio Romantic // Shutterstock
As the core of the cardiovascular system, our heart does quite a lot, pumping blood and oxygen throughout our bodies, which is vital to sustaining life. Having a healthy heart can prevent heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S., which kills more than 650,000 people annually, with stroke being the fifth-leading cause of death in the nation.
There’s no specific cause of heart disease but there are risk factors such as smoking, remaining sedentary, and lifestyle choices that greatly increase chances of developing the condition. A nutrient-rich diet is one of the best ways to combat cardiovascular disease. The American diet and its obsession with salt certainly captured the attention of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), which, for the first time, in October 2021, issued final guidance within the food industry to reduce sodium in packaged and prepared foods for the next two and a half years. This is an effort to help Americans limit their sodium intake as high sodium poses a higher risk for high blood pressure, which maximizes the risks for heart disease and stroke. Taking this initiative to push for reduced sodium in packaged foods could potentially prevent thousands of premature deaths and chronic illnesses in the future.
Thistle compiled a list of how people can support a healthy heart, citing research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Heart Association. Read on to see some ways you can take care of your body and be on your journey to better heart health. It’s never too late to start.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
FabrikaSimf // Shutterstock
Sodium, a mineral found in many of our favorite foods, can be challenging to avoid. Sodium is frequently found in packaged foods and meals from restaurants. The body uses sodium for better muscle and nerve functionality. A high-sodium diet regularly, however, causes the body to retain excess water and, as a result, the organs have to work harder.
This increases the risk for high blood pressure, which damages the arteries, minimizing the oxygen and blood flow, and leading to heart disease. Some methods to limit sodium intake include eating more fruits and vegetables, opting for fewer sauces, mixes, and “instant” meal products, and simply asking for nutrition information when dining out.
FabrikaSimf // Shutterstock
Sodium, a mineral found in many of our favorite foods, can be challenging to avoid. Sodium is frequently found in packaged foods and meals from restaurants. The body uses sodium for better muscle and nerve functionality. A high-sodium diet regularly, however, causes the body to retain excess water and, as a result, the organs have to work harder.
This increases the risk for high blood pressure, which damages the arteries, minimizing the oxygen and blood flow, and leading to heart disease. Some methods to limit sodium intake include eating more fruits and vegetables, opting for fewer sauces, mixes, and “instant” meal products, and simply asking for nutrition information when dining out.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
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Saturated fats, known as “unhealthy” fats, are found in animal-based products such as beef, pork, and dairy items like milk and butter. A diet rich in saturated fats can lead to high cholesterol and put people at risk for heart disease. Trans fat is considered the worst type of fat because it increases bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol.
Some ways to limit consuming saturated fats and trans fats include watching the intake of fried foods, desserts like cookies and muffins, and other items baked with hydrogenated vegetable oils.
miroha141 // Shutterstock
Saturated fats, known as “unhealthy” fats, are found in animal-based products such as beef, pork, and dairy items like milk and butter. A diet rich in saturated fats can lead to high cholesterol and put people at risk for heart disease. Trans fat is considered the worst type of fat because it increases bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol.
Some ways to limit consuming saturated fats and trans fats include watching the intake of fried foods, desserts like cookies and muffins, and other items baked with hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
Day Of Victory Studio // Shutterstock
Beverages such as soda, energy drinks, coffee, and sweetened teas all contain added sugars. Too much sugar places people at risk for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease. The American Heart Association suggests that men do not consume more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams) per day of added sugar and limits most women and children over 2 years old to 6 teaspoons (25 grams) daily. Overall, adults average 17 teaspoons of sugar daily.
Day Of Victory Studio // Shutterstock
Beverages such as soda, energy drinks, coffee, and sweetened teas all contain added sugars. Too much sugar places people at risk for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease. The American Heart Association suggests that men do not consume more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams) per day of added sugar and limits most women and children over 2 years old to 6 teaspoons (25 grams) daily. Overall, adults average 17 teaspoons of sugar daily.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
Whole foods are processed minimally or not at all and are free from additives or artificial ingredients. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and unsalted nuts and seeds are some examples of whole foods. When cooking, the American Heart Association suggests using oils with fewer than 4 grams of saturated fat and avoiding hydrogenated oils and trans fats. Healthier oils include olive, sunflower, and soybean, all of which contain fewer saturated fats.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
Whole foods are processed minimally or not at all and are free from additives or artificial ingredients. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and unsalted nuts and seeds are some examples of whole foods. When cooking, the American Heart Association suggests using oils with fewer than 4 grams of saturated fat and avoiding hydrogenated oils and trans fats. Healthier oils include olive, sunflower, and soybean, all of which contain fewer saturated fats.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
fizkes // Shutterstock
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as “good stress.” A happy, exciting event such as a marriage or job promotion can cause stress just as much as a diagnosis of an illness or a family crisis that can bring “bad stress.” Stress impacts all areas of the body and affects everyone differently.
Stress often manifests physically through aches and pains, muscle tension, and high blood pressure. It causes harmful reactions such as an irregular heart rate and a decrease in blood flow to the heart. Relaxation techniques such as meditation or listening to music can help lower stress levels. It also helps to exercise regularly and carve out quality time with loved ones.
fizkes // Shutterstock
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as “good stress.” A happy, exciting event such as a marriage or job promotion can cause stress just as much as a diagnosis of an illness or a family crisis that can bring “bad stress.” Stress impacts all areas of the body and affects everyone differently.
Stress often manifests physically through aches and pains, muscle tension, and high blood pressure. It causes harmful reactions such as an irregular heart rate and a decrease in blood flow to the heart. Relaxation techniques such as meditation or listening to music can help lower stress levels. It also helps to exercise regularly and carve out quality time with loved ones.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
Halfpoint // Shutterstock
Regular exercise, or any type of physical activity for that matter, is important for health overall, but especially heart health. Exercise improves circulation and cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and helps to keep blood sugar in check. For adults, the Surgeon General suggests incorporating exercises like brisk walking and bicycling into your routine on a weekly basis for better heart health.
Halfpoint // Shutterstock
Regular exercise, or any type of physical activity for that matter, is important for health overall, but especially heart health. Exercise improves circulation and cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and helps to keep blood sugar in check. For adults, the Surgeon General suggests incorporating exercises like brisk walking and bicycling into your routine on a weekly basis for better heart health.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
Nopphon_1987 // Shutterstock
Smoking plays a huge role in the cause of cardiovascular disease, causing 1 in 4 deaths. Smoking has many effects on the heart such as causing a rise in blood pressure and an increase in plaque in blood vessels. Secondhand smoke—when smoke is inhaled by someone who isn’t smoking—can also cause strokes and serious conditions like heart disease.
Nopphon_1987 // Shutterstock
Smoking plays a huge role in the cause of cardiovascular disease, causing 1 in 4 deaths. Smoking has many effects on the heart such as causing a rise in blood pressure and an increase in plaque in blood vessels. Secondhand smoke—when smoke is inhaled by someone who isn’t smoking—can also cause strokes and serious conditions like heart disease.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
Me dia // Shutterstock
It’s not always convenient to go to the doctor’s office, but luckily, at-home digital blood pressure monitors give accurate readings (as long as the arm is held straight).
Some people may keep a logbook to record blood pressure readings: It’s best to record anything significant that took place prior to the reading, such as a stressful moment at work or exercising a few minutes before. Over the course of a few days or weeks, it’s beneficial to discuss the readings with your doctor.
Me dia // Shutterstock
It’s not always convenient to go to the doctor’s office, but luckily, at-home digital blood pressure monitors give accurate readings (as long as the arm is held straight).
Some people may keep a logbook to record blood pressure readings: It’s best to record anything significant that took place prior to the reading, such as a stressful moment at work or exercising a few minutes before. Over the course of a few days or weeks, it’s beneficial to discuss the readings with your doctor.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
skipper_sr // Shutterstock
The stethoscope is a device that allows physicians to listen to the sounds of your heartbeat as well as those of the lungs. By listening to these sounds, a doctor can determine if there’s a heart murmur or irregularity in the lungs. Regular health check-ups are important as they can help detect health issues early and before they become serious. Some key screenings for examining cardiovascular health include monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose levels, and body weight.
skipper_sr // Shutterstock
The stethoscope is a device that allows physicians to listen to the sounds of your heartbeat as well as those of the lungs. By listening to these sounds, a doctor can determine if there’s a heart murmur or irregularity in the lungs. Regular health check-ups are important as they can help detect health issues early and before they become serious. Some key screenings for examining cardiovascular health include monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose levels, and body weight.
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Will your smartphone be the next doctor’s office?
JohnKwan // Shutterstock
Family health history is an important factor in determining whether a person has a higher probability of developing common health conditions such as heart disease or hypertension. These chronic conditions are often influenced by genetics, environmental, and lifestyle choices.
If more than one close family member has or had a specific disease, you have a greater chance of developing that same health issue. This doesn’t mean you will automatically have the same disease, it just means your chances of having the condition are higher. If you’re unsure of your family’s health history, start with asking your immediate relatives such as your parents, siblings, and grandparents.
This story originally appeared on Thistle and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
JohnKwan // Shutterstock
Family health history is an important factor in determining whether a person has a higher probability of developing common health conditions such as heart disease or hypertension. These chronic conditions are often influenced by genetics, environmental, and lifestyle choices.
If more than one close family member has or had a specific disease, you have a greater chance of developing that same health issue. This doesn’t mean you will automatically have the same disease, it just means your chances of having the condition are higher. If you’re unsure of your family’s health history, start with asking your immediate relatives such as your parents, siblings, and grandparents.
This story originally appeared on Thistle and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
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School lawsuits over social media harm face tough legal road
"If you're reading this article, kudos to you for thinking about reevaluating social media," Agarwal said Trying to meet your goals is all about celebrating the small wins.
At the least, set small benchmarks for yourself like spending 10 minutes less on social media than the day before. The right amount of social media time is different for everyone since some people actually use these apps to brand and help market themselves. Find your own social media sweet spot, and remember, even if you scroll too much on social media one day, you can try and meet your goal tomorrow.
Another way to keep you on track is to share your goal with someone you trust. A friend or loved one who can kindly nudge you when they notice you've been on social media for awhile.
"If you're reading this article, kudos to you for thinking about reevaluating social media," Agarwal said Trying to meet your goals is all about celebrating the small wins.
At the least, set small benchmarks for yourself like spending 10 minutes less on social media than the day before. The right amount of social media time is different for everyone since some people actually use these apps to brand and help market themselves. Find your own social media sweet spot, and remember, even if you scroll too much on social media one day, you can try and meet your goal tomorrow.
Another way to keep you on track is to share your goal with someone you trust. A friend or loved one who can kindly nudge you when they notice you've been on social media for awhile.
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School lawsuits over social media harm face tough legal road
Scrolling through social media while hanging out with friends isn't uncommon nowadays, but when you think about how unengaged you are in those moments, it can put social media use into perspective.
Agarwal suggests the next time you're in a room with others at a family or friends gathering and you see yourself scrolling through social media instead of engaging with others, take a minute to physically remove yourself from the room and isolate in another room. Listen and feel how much you may be missing out on.
"What that does is it gives your brain a signal. If you force yourself to leave the room, you realize how much you're using that app and missing out on other people," Agarwal said. "It's a good physical reminder of being present in the moment and not on your on your phone and scrolling through social media."
Scrolling through social media while hanging out with friends isn't uncommon nowadays, but when you think about how unengaged you are in those moments, it can put social media use into perspective.
Agarwal suggests the next time you're in a room with others at a family or friends gathering and you see yourself scrolling through social media instead of engaging with others, take a minute to physically remove yourself from the room and isolate in another room. Listen and feel how much you may be missing out on.
"What that does is it gives your brain a signal. If you force yourself to leave the room, you realize how much you're using that app and missing out on other people," Agarwal said. "It's a good physical reminder of being present in the moment and not on your on your phone and scrolling through social media."
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School lawsuits over social media harm face tough legal road
Most smart phones nowadays track your screen-time and usage already. It's a good idea to figure out your average screen time per day so you have a benchmark that you can work on.
On iPhone, you can go into your "Screen Time" settings, which displays the amount of time you spend on each app and allows you to put timers on specific apps to limit how long you're on them. Android phones have similar features in the "Digital Wellbeing" settings. Additionally, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok offer the same features within the app settings themselves.
Most smart phones nowadays track your screen-time and usage already. It's a good idea to figure out your average screen time per day so you have a benchmark that you can work on.
On iPhone, you can go into your "Screen Time" settings, which displays the amount of time you spend on each app and allows you to put timers on specific apps to limit how long you're on them. Android phones have similar features in the "Digital Wellbeing" settings. Additionally, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok offer the same features within the app settings themselves.
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School lawsuits over social media harm face tough legal road
When you're at home and have free time, put your phone in a drawer or somewhere you can't see it. Oftentimes limiting the ability to quickly and easily pick up your phone is enough to keep you off of social media, said Agarwal. If your phone is what keeps your hands from fidgeting, try to have some objects around the house that relieve stress, like a stress ball, fidget toy or yarn and crochet hooks.
Hide your social media apps on your phone by placing the app on the second or third page of your home screen or bury the app inside an "app folder" with a bunch of others. When you're waiting in line or have a free five minutes, instead of grabbing your phone — take in the view, practice some breathing exercises or read a book.
When you're at home and have free time, put your phone in a drawer or somewhere you can't see it. Oftentimes limiting the ability to quickly and easily pick up your phone is enough to keep you off of social media, said Agarwal. If your phone is what keeps your hands from fidgeting, try to have some objects around the house that relieve stress, like a stress ball, fidget toy or yarn and crochet hooks.
Hide your social media apps on your phone by placing the app on the second or third page of your home screen or bury the app inside an "app folder" with a bunch of others. When you're waiting in line or have a free five minutes, instead of grabbing your phone — take in the view, practice some breathing exercises or read a book.
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School lawsuits over social media harm face tough legal road
Ever hear of "text neck?" It's the result of looking down at our phones when scrolling or texting, straining the neck muscles over a long period of time. Taking a break from social media helps relieve neck pain and gives your eyes a break from bright screens.
People may also be more connected than ever through social media, but a 2018 University of Pennsylvania study found that people who limit their time on social media experience less depression and feelings of loneliness.
Taking a break from social media will give you better sleep, too. Research suggests that nighttime use of social media is driven by FOMO (fear of missing out), and keeps people scrolling longer at night instead of going to sleep.
Ever hear of "text neck?" It's the result of looking down at our phones when scrolling or texting, straining the neck muscles over a long period of time. Taking a break from social media helps relieve neck pain and gives your eyes a break from bright screens.
People may also be more connected than ever through social media, but a 2018 University of Pennsylvania study found that people who limit their time on social media experience less depression and feelings of loneliness.
Taking a break from social media will give you better sleep, too. Research suggests that nighttime use of social media is driven by FOMO (fear of missing out), and keeps people scrolling longer at night instead of going to sleep.
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School lawsuits over social media harm face tough legal road
What is the reason that brought you onto social media? This is the question Agarwal said to ask yourself when trying to figure out if it's time to take a social media break. If you're not getting the same satisfaction from the reason you use social media, it may be time to look for alternatives.
If you joined social media to...
1. Find community: Look for clubs and groups in your neighborhood where you can meet and interact with others IRL (in real life).
2. Be inspired: Consume other forms of media like magazines, books, podcasts, movies or live events.
3. Buy and sell things: Try using other apps, like OfferUp or NextDoor, or visiting local events and marketplaces in person.
What is the reason that brought you onto social media? This is the question Agarwal said to ask yourself when trying to figure out if it's time to take a social media break. If you're not getting the same satisfaction from the reason you use social media, it may be time to look for alternatives.
If you joined social media to...
1. Find community: Look for clubs and groups in your neighborhood where you can meet and interact with others IRL (in real life).
2. Be inspired: Consume other forms of media like magazines, books, podcasts, movies or live events.
3. Buy and sell things: Try using other apps, like OfferUp or NextDoor, or visiting local events and marketplaces in person.
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School lawsuits over social media harm face tough legal road
Dreamstime/TNS
Two and a half hours — that's the average amount of time people spend on social media each day.
It may not sound like a lot, but that time can really add up — and at what cost? Social media has proven negative effects on mental health (especially for teens), self-image and for some is a huge time-waster.
University of Penn's Anish Agarwal, an emergency physician, researcher, and deputy director for the Center for Digital Health, said it's important to constantly be reevaluating the role social media plays in daily life.
The bottom line: taking a break from social media is healthy for you. Read on for guidance and tools to help you limit screen time on these apps.
Dreamstime/TNS
Two and a half hours — that's the average amount of time people spend on social media each day.
It may not sound like a lot, but that time can really add up — and at what cost? Social media has proven negative effects on mental health (especially for teens), self-image and for some is a huge time-waster.
University of Penn's Anish Agarwal, an emergency physician, researcher, and deputy director for the Center for Digital Health, said it's important to constantly be reevaluating the role social media plays in daily life.
The bottom line: taking a break from social media is healthy for you. Read on for guidance and tools to help you limit screen time on these apps.
Google’s research uses machine learning and computer vision, a field within AI based on information from visual inputs like videos or images. So instead of using a blood pressure cuff, for example, the algorithm can interpret slight visual changes to the body that serve as proxies and biosignals for a patient’s blood pressure, Patel said.
Google is also investigating the effectiveness of the built-in microphone for detecting heartbeats and murmurs and using the camera to preserve eyesight by screening for diabetic eye disease, according to information the company published last year.
The tech giant recently purchased Sound Life Sciences, a Seattle startup with an FDA-cleared sonar technology app. It uses a smart device’s speaker to bounce inaudible pulses off a patient’s body to identify movement and monitor breathing.
Binah.ai, based in Israel, is another company using the smartphone camera to calculate vital signs. Its software looks at the region around the eyes, where the skin is a bit thinner, and analyzes the light reflecting off blood vessels back to the lens. The company is wrapping up a U.S. clinical trial and marketing its wellness app directly to insurers and other health companies, said company spokesperson Mona Popilian-Yona.
The applications even reach into disciplines such as optometry and mental health:
—With the microphone, Canary Speech uses the same underlying technology as Amazon’s Alexa to analyze patients’ voices for mental health conditions. The software can integrate with telemedicine appointments and allow clinicians to screen for anxiety and depression using a library of vocal biomarkers and predictive analytics, said Henry O’Connell, the company’s CEO.
—Australia-based ResApp Health got FDA clearance last year for its iPhone app that screens for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea by listening to breathing and snoring. SleepCheckRx, which will require a prescription, is minimally invasive compared with sleep studies currently used to diagnose sleep apnea. Those can cost thousands of dollars and require an array of tests.
—Brightlamp’s Reflex app is a clinical decision support tool for helping manage concussions and vision rehabilitation, among other things. Using an iPad’s or iPhone’s camera, the mobile app measures how a person’s pupils react to changes in light. Through machine learning analysis, the imagery gives practitioners data points for evaluating patients. Brightlamp sells directly to health care providers and is being used in more than 230 clinics. Clinicians pay a $400 standard annual fee per account, which is currently not covered by insurance. The Department of Defense has an ongoing clinical trial using Reflex.
In some cases, such as with the Reflex app, the data is processed directly on the phone — rather than in the cloud, Brightlamp CEO Kurtis Sluss said. By processing everything on the device, the app avoids running into privacy issues, as streaming data elsewhere requires patient consent.
But algorithms need to be trained and tested by collecting reams of data, and that is an ongoing process.
Researchers, for example, have found that some computer vision applications, like heart rate or blood pressure monitoring, can be less accurate for darker skin. Studies are underway to find better solutions.
Small algorithm glitches can also produce false alarms and frighten patients enough to keep widespread adoption out of reach. For example, Apple’s new car-crash detection feature, available on both the latest iPhone and Apple Watch, was set off when people were riding roller coasters and automatically dialed 911.
“We’re not there yet,” Yang said. “That’s the bottom line.”
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