The Journal of mHealth Vol 1 Issue 1 (Feb 2014) | Page 50

Product Profiles Product Profiles SensiMAT for Wheelchairs Canadian company SensiMAT Systems have recently begun taking pre-orders for their SensiMAT for wheelchairs product. A unique mobile enabled system that allows wheelchair users to monitor and track the pressure being exerted by them, as they use the chair, and to identify when high levels of pressure build up. The SensiMAT for Wheelchairs is a thin mat containing pressure sensors that is inserted underneath the gel, air, or foam cushion. These sensors send pressure data to a mobile device, where SensiMAT System’s proprietary PressureRisk™ algorithm alerts the user when there is a high amount of built up pressure, it then facilitates and tracks pressure relieving exercises. The system uses Bluetooth Low- Energy, to consistently monitor pressure, using a mobile device, completely wirelessly, and without draining the battery. The mat itself is simply charged once a week, making it easily integrated into everyday life. This unique product has great potential to enable wheelchair users to limit pressure related sores and problems commonly associated with the use of a chair. At the same time the system actively encourages people to manage their condition and prevent further complications. In the long-term this is likely to have significant appeal to healthcare organisations seeking to reduce admissions of wheelchair users with common pressure related problems.  Nextremity Solutions adopts GOOGLE Glass for product and surgeon training Recently, North Carolina based orthopaedic surgeon Selene G. Parekh, M.D. utilised Google Glass during a successful foot and ankle surgery in Jaipur, India. Dr. Parekh commented, “This technology opens up a whole new world for surgery. Not only are we able to obtain a different view of the surgery, we are also able to communicate live with fellow surgeons at the same time. Simply amazing technology.” Dr. Parekh conducted surgery while wearing the technology and broadcast live streaming video via the Internet. The technology allowed for hands-free recording video without the operating room disruption of a video crew and related risk of infection. Additionally, it provided viewers the surgeon’s unique vantage point during the surgery. Nextremity Solutions, an orthopaedic medical device company which specialises in forefoot surgery implants, recently obtained Google Glass and will be evaluating its applications in its surgeon training initiatives. The company will work closely with Dr. Parekh to ensure the technology is used in a manner most beneficial to surgeons.  48 February 2014