Medical Devices & Technology Archive

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Read More about Experimental wireless pacemaker dissolves when no longer needed
Experimental wireless pacemaker dissolves when no longer needed

Experimental wireless pacemaker dissolves when no longer needed
A wireless, battery-free device that naturally absorbs into the body within two months may one day be a safer alternative to temporary pacemakers.
Read More about Better blood sugar tracking: A benefit for heart health?
Better blood sugar tracking: A benefit for heart health?

Better blood sugar tracking: A benefit for heart health?
A continuous glucose monitor (CGM)—a small device placed on the arm or belly that measures blood sugar every few minutes—may help people with diabetes recognize the eating and exercise habits that hinder (or help) them control their blood sugar. CGM readouts, which are displayed on a smartphone or portable monitor, show your blood sugar values, trends, and the percentage of time that your blood sugar is in a "good control" range. Medicare covers CGMs for people who inject insulin at least three times a day or use an insulin pump to control their blood sugar.
Read More about Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: Beyond anti-clotting drugs
Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: Beyond anti-clotting drugs

Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: Beyond anti-clotting drugs
People with atrial fibrillation who develop or face a high risk of serious bleeding from anti-clotting drugs may be candidates for procedures that block or remove a part of the heart where dangerous blood clots form. About 90% of blood clots in the heart form in the left atrial appendage (LAA), a small pouch that protrudes from the top of the heart. Two procedures prevent clots from escaping from the LAA and causing a stroke. One delivers a device that blocks the opening of the LAA; the other removes most of the LAA during heart surgery done for another reason.
Read More about Wearable devices may encourage enough exercise to prevent afib
Wearable devices may encourage enough exercise to prevent afib

Wearable devices may encourage enough exercise to prevent afib
Getting the recommended amount of physical activity appears to lower the risk of atrial fibrillation (afib), a heart rhythm disorder that raises the risk of stroke.
Read More about Screening for atrial fibrillation: An update
Screening for atrial fibrillation: An update

Screening for atrial fibrillation: An update
Atrial fibrillation (afib), an often-silent heart rhythm disorder, increases the risk of stroke. Early detection may enable people to start taking anti-clotting drugs to prevent a stroke. Current afib screening methods include asking people about afib symptoms and taking an electrocardiogram during routine check-ups. Wearable devices such as smart watches and fitness trackers can detect afib, but they aren’t yet accurate enough to be used for widespread screening.
Read More about Listen to your heart
Listen to your heart

Listen to your heart
Monitoring one’s heart rate at rest and during exercise is easier than ever. This information can be especially valuable to people with heart conditions and those recovering from an injury or surgery, or returning to exercise after a long layoff. For others, heart rate monitoring can track workout intensity and alert them to slow or fast resting heart rates that may merit a doctor’s visit.
Read More about Wearable fitness trackers may aid weight-loss efforts
Wearable fitness trackers may aid weight-loss efforts

Wearable fitness trackers may aid weight-loss efforts
A review published online March 17, 2021, by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that fitness trackers helped overweight or obese people with chronic conditions reduce body weight and body mass index.
Read More about Sensing abnormal heart rhythms with a smart speaker?
Sensing abnormal heart rhythms with a smart speaker?

Sensing abnormal heart rhythms with a smart speaker?
Using artificial intelligence, smart speakers can be programmed to detect and monitor abnormal heart rhythms in people sitting within one to two feet of the speakers.
Read More about Treating sleep apnea: Good for your heart and mind?
Treating sleep apnea: Good for your heart and mind?

Treating sleep apnea: Good for your heart and mind?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when soft tissue at the back of the throat temporarily blocks the airway during sleep. People with sleep apnea face a heightened risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. The condition can also affect mood, and some people diagnosed with depression may actually have sleep apnea. Treating apnea with positive airway pressure improves both high blood pressure and depression.
Read More about Implanted heart device? Beware of newer smartphones and wearables
Implanted heart device? Beware of newer smartphones and wearables

Implanted heart device? Beware of newer smartphones and wearables

Research we're watching

People who have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker should avoid the iPhone 12 as well as wearable tech products — such as the Fitbit and Apple Watch — that use magnetic chargers. The magnets in these gadgets can interfere with implanted cardiac devices, possibly rendering them useless, say two recent reports.

A 55-year-old woman wearing an Apple Watch while sleeping was awakened by several beeps from her ICD. A next-day check showed the watch's magnet had deactivated her device, as noted Dec. 12, 2020, in HeartRhythm Case Reports. In the Jan. 4, 2021 HeartRhythm, doctors described how bringing an iPhone 12 near the chest of a person with an ICD immediately disabled the device.

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