DRE Medical lets loose compact, PC-based ECG system

We've seen ECG systems of all sorts (homemade included), but DRE Medical has now released what it claims to be the most compact system on the market today. Dubbed simply the Universal ECG, the system relies on a Windows-based desktop, laptop or Pocket PC for its computing component, which the company says offers a number of benefits over a standalone ECG system, not the least of which is a sizable cost savings. That savings also extends to printing costs, as the system can print reports on standard computer paper as opposed to the pricey thermal paper used by regular ECG systems. Among other things, the ECG also apparently requires no calibration, and it draws all its power from the device its connected to, so if you're using it with a laptop you may want to bring along a couple of extra batteries. Of course, while it's less expensive than a standalone ECG, that still probably doesn't mean it'll come cheap -- a likelihood further backed up by the fact that you have to contact DRE for a quote if you're interested in buying one.

[Via Medgadget]

[rock99rock @ Apr 7th 2008 2:02PM]

Cool, something that could have been made 10 years ago.

[Flashpoint @ Apr 7th 2008 2:16PM]

"beep ______/\________
beep ___________/\_______
beep _________________/\______
beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ___________________________"

[chris @ Apr 7th 2008 2:04PM]

This device will be great for being out in the field in Africa or a doctor doing a home visit. ECG equipment has always been bulky - it'll certainly cut waiting list times back in the UK.

[IT-Accountant @ Apr 7th 2008 2:12PM]

Imagine the mayhem were these ECG PC's to get a virus.... entrusting diagnostic data to a windows pc is a great idea, but there are some downsides to consider.

[Bb @ Apr 7th 2008 2:14PM]

Horrific potential for 'Blue Screen Of Death'

[monkfishbandana @ Apr 7th 2008 6:28PM]

@ Bb

Gives a whole new meaning to 'Code Blue'.

[Aytunc @ Apr 7th 2008 2:13PM]

call me crazy but I would really not like to rely on this while having a heart attack.
BSOD, or for newbies out there stands for Blue Screen Of Death and I wouldn't want it to be literally true. Blue of my face....

[dmihalic @ Apr 7th 2008 2:29PM]

What makes everyone think that the 20 year old equipment (and older in some places) that is still in use now in many hospitals/institutions throughout the world isn't anymore likely to have a critical problem when you 'need' it? By the way folks... This thing is an EKG...NOT a defribrillator. If it stops working, they just hook up another one.... It's not keeping you alive.... It's just reading the rhythm of your heart...not providing therapy...

[Aytunc @ Apr 7th 2008 2:43PM]

to dmihalic

EKG's is the first line of defense in the going into a cardiac arrest, the subtle signs of the arrest is detected by EKG's 15 to 30 mins before it requires defibrillator intervention. And yes, a calibrated and PM'ed stand alone equipment made in the 60's is more reliable than Vista.

[Interpol @ Apr 7th 2008 3:34PM]

EKG is NOT the first line of defense for anything related to cardiac arrest. EKGs are a diagnostic tool only and do absolutely nothing to treat an impending fatal arrhythmia.

If an myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest is suspected, then it doesn't matter what the EKG shows - you go straight to ACLS protocols and start treating the patient presumptively. Your doom-and-gloom scenario regarding Microsoft is just nothing but FUD.

[dmihalic @ Apr 7th 2008 10:44PM]

Aytunc....

I get to see those 60 year old machines daily... And I'll bet anything that those DRE devices are NOT running Vista.... Come on... What healthcare companies do you know that have implemented Vista? Yet damn near all of the software for healthcare out there (including hospital-wide med info systems) runs under XP... Those 60 year old machines don't integrate into anything, constantly false alarm, and use ancient wireless tech that a flippin' microwave can send into a downward spiral.... And, not sure what sort of demographic you see (if you're in healthcare), but how many times is someone hooked up to an EKG BEFORE a myocardial infarction?!

[joey @ Apr 7th 2008 2:16PM]

I imagine these would be turn key systems to not only insure the device works with the correct pc hardware but to be also locked down far enough so all it does is its intended task and one could not simply “surf the web” with these devices.

[Sam stone @ Apr 7th 2008 2:31PM]

"Its the D.R.E"

You know the rest ;)

[Jeff @ Apr 7th 2008 2:58PM]

You know, I had forgotten all about DRE before this.

[Sam Stone @ Apr 7th 2008 3:53PM]

How can you forgot the Doc?! :O

"Motherf***ers act like they forgot about Dre!"

[nosleepidiot @ Apr 7th 2008 2:32PM]

Hmm...a medical tricorder...where did they think of that?

[Bill @ Apr 7th 2008 2:39PM]

I don't know about this... this application seems too "mission critical" for a PocketPC. Having to yank the battery every couple of days to force a hard reset is really going to piss the medics off.

[chrisaroz @ Apr 7th 2008 2:43PM]

Why are they using a 8-10 year old PocketPC?

[jimmy @ Apr 7th 2008 2:51PM]

answer: the pccard expansion sleeve and that reason only.

[dajimmers @ Apr 7th 2008 2:43PM]

That guy either hikes his pants up to his ribcage, or his heart is in his colon...

[schmitty338 @ Apr 7th 2008 2:59PM]

Wow....you are s-m-r-t...

[Tim @ Apr 7th 2008 3:42PM]

Eat your heart out, so to speak...

[Martin @ Apr 7th 2008 2:44PM]

Not so revolutionary, when you consider that a similar device that comes with 4 EEG/EOG, 2 ECG/EMG channels and 2 analog inputs has been around for YEARS! http://www.gtec.at/products/g.MOBIlab/gMOBIlab.htm

[jimmy @ Apr 7th 2008 2:50PM]

wow an ipaq hp5555, we had problems procuring these obsolete pdas 2 years ago

unfortuately they are the only ones you can get with the PCCard expasion sleeve. someone needs to realize that there is a niche market that would pay big bucks for such functionality.

[KL @ Apr 7th 2008 3:59PM]

To anyone in the medical community, any company with the name "DRE" makes you chuckle....

DRE = digital rectal exam (aka prostate exam)

[Stem $ell @ Apr 7th 2008 4:18PM]

As an added benefit, this baby can compute my Vitorin™-induced reduction in life expectancy!

[Interpol @ Apr 7th 2008 4:35PM]

Too bad you spelled Vytorin wrong! Trademark THAT!

[Stem $ell @ Apr 7th 2008 4:44PM]

Thanks, Interpol--spelling was never my strong soot...

[Defman @ Apr 7th 2008 6:12PM]

Yeah, so? I implemented a USB based ECG in a doctor's office several years ago. Integrated with their EMR (Electronic Medical Records) system and dropped the ECG into the patient's record. I was also working on a USB Spirometer when I left the company. The medical industry is full of cutting edge stuff, we just don't usually notice it.

[John W @ Apr 7th 2008 6:22PM]

Hospital Admin Person

"Paging Dr. DRE, paging Dr. DRE....wait, is someone messing with me?"

[Tati Viana @ Apr 7th 2008 6:49PM]

I want to buy two of this! :P

www.tativiana.com

[Stiv @ Apr 7th 2008 8:01PM]

Typical of the way modern medical companies work:
1. Sell product at 1000% over cost.
2. Doctor/hospital charges 1/50 of the total purchase price to the patient each time they use it, thus getting 100% ROI in a couple of weeks.

[Jeff @ Apr 7th 2008 8:25PM]

If they decide to sell these for $50 or less then people could easily wear them anytime or any place under their clothes. Then we'd just need a simple software utility to automatically plug the live data into the upcoming Google Health application where it could be analyzed and provide early warning predictions based on other health information.

[Wwhat @ Apr 7th 2008 9:05PM]

Expensive thermal paper? I'm pretty sure they used thermal paper because it's a whole lot cheaper than printing with ink, why do you think cashregisters use it?

[tm @ Apr 7th 2008 9:21PM]

This was developed by Micromedical Industries a long time ago. Now owned by QRS Diagnostics.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2001/ANS01129.html
http://www.emssupply.com/pocketview.htm

[Alf @ Apr 7th 2008 9:30PM]

To the first comment that anyone could have made these 10 years ago - in fact, I (and many of my classmates) did. Texas Instruments had a popular DSP kit that went for about $100, and it was child's play to write the software, hook up some standard electrodes, and get an ECG that looked pretty damn good.

[daferris1 @ Apr 8th 2008 5:31AM]

My god you have got to be joking. No way would I leave my life in the hands of a Windows Pocket PC device!!

[Interpol @ Apr 8th 2008 12:47PM]

You're a dope. Making blanket statements like yours is simply lame.

You may be surprised to know that many current medical monitors and devices already run off Windows, whether it's NT, 2000, or XP. Examples: Pyxis, Datex-Ohmeda, Marquette.

I bet you say the same thing about certain races and creeds, right? "My god you have to be joking. No way would I leave my life in the hands of a Black man!"

[David Ferris @ Apr 8th 2008 12:50PM]

Chill out man, go and have a cup of tea LOL

[Interpol @ Apr 8th 2008 2:05PM]

Is that all you can say in your defense? You're lamer than I thought.

[David Ferris @ Apr 8th 2008 3:27PM]

Nar just better things to do with my life, have fun :-)

[Interpol @ Apr 8th 2008 5:20PM]

I would hope you'd have better things to do than posting unfunny snarks on Engadget.

Face it, you tried to sound cool but ended up looking like an idiot.

[John Gladstein @ May 8th 2008 9:52PM]

Find a real pc based EKG that works with all windows programs at www.medicaldevicedepot.com

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