While our favorite
Danish gadget company, Bang & Olufsen is better known for making
fashionphones and
audio gear, it also has a medical devices division, known as Medicom. This division has just released a new device to help patients make sure they're on track for taking medication. The aptly named "Helping Hand," which looks like a slightly curved handset, stores a blister pack of medication and then will send a signal to a computer or cell phone (via
Bluetooth or USB) to remind you to take your meds. The Helping Hand's red, yellow or green lights will go off to give a visual cues as to how many instances have been missed, and can upload that info to your doctor (or
medical assistant robot), so the next time you see her, she can give you a stern reprimand. Speaking of reminders, we'd like to alert B&O Medicom that its press release doesn't have a price or a release date on it -- so get on that, guys.
[Via
medGadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lou @ Sep 11th 2006 10:53PM
Whats going to be the price range for this? Is it gonna be $50 or $500? And when is it available to the public. I would be interested in getting this for my mother to help her take her medicine on time. If its a reasonable price I might pick one up.
Zach Marshall @ Sep 11th 2006 11:16PM
Right now, I think its a little before its time. The people who I feel medince (taken daily and in more amounts) is typically the elderly. I know both my grandparents do take a crapload of meds a day from their nice little pill fobs, but I also know that technology-wise... they're a little behind.
My grandmom won't touch the laptop my aunt bought her and she definitley won't ever use a cell phone. Though in 15 years, when my mom starts reaching the "elderly" age, I DEFINITLEY feel this to be a convient device... and one I can't believe wasn't thought up before?
tekdroid @ Sep 12th 2006 12:04AM
I'm reminded to take meds whenever I get sticker shock from B&O's pricing :)
Corey @ Sep 12th 2006 12:36AM
If you read the article the image is linked to, this doesn't look like it's ever going to be for sale to the general public. It appears to be targeting doctors and pharmecutical companies wanting to increase "patient compliance" in the taking medicine department. Honestly, when I read it I want to punch them and tell them I'll take what I want, when I want to take it, and to f*** off with trying to make me do something.
Constance @ Sep 12th 2006 3:51AM
Is this already available in the market? My dad can make a good use of this.
Treasa @ Sep 12th 2006 7:45AM
Thanks for covering the story, the device was launched in 2001 and as one of the comments already points out it is currently not available on a consumer basis (hence no price tag) however we are investigating this option. Today, we deliver the product in a customised format to follow the branding of our pharmaceutical clients. In addition to ensure the device size fits their blister tablet packaging and is programmed to follow the medication regime timing (once or twice daily). You can read more on http://www.medicom.bang-olufsen.com/sw431.asp. Yours, Bang & Olufsen Medicom.
David Rose @ Sep 12th 2006 5:47PM
Another startup company in Cambridge, MA has a device which is more relevant for the US market (where most medications aren't in blisters). Vitality, Inc. just launched a product called GlowCaps that embed LEDs and a wireless chipset in a standard pillcap. It can communicate back to the physician if you've been naughty or nice and refill itself by sending a request to CVS. http://www.rxvitality.com