Aseptika Limited (Activ8rlives), developers of a range of self-monitoring medical watch devices, some in the form of wearable technologies, aimed at assisting patients to self-manage long-term health conditions at home, is already having impact in this field. The early identification via home self-monitoring of an impending change in condition may allow for earlier intervention by starting antibiotics (“rescue pack”) days earlier, thereby reducing the need for lengthy hospitalisation.
Aseptika and Renfrew Group International (RGi) have been working together on the development of the Activ8rlives BuddyWOTCH™.This solution will provide “expert” pathways for use by both patient/carers and the healthcare team to inform, manage and report the success of self-care plans so that patients can remain independent at home, with a better quality and more sustainable model of care. Such solutions must be truly wearable, comfortable, ergonomic, attractive, and suitable for use with minimal training by consumers, often age-related. Achieving this whilst developing the packaging design, mechanical engineering and design for production has been the Renfrew Group team’s priority.
The medical watch BuddyWOTCH project (Pictured), funded under the SBRI Healthcare programme, is for the development of a wearable health monitor Class 2 Medical Device. It comprises a wrist-worn smartwatch – “WOTCH” = Walking, Oxygenation, Temperature, Camera (image capture of medication, food and liquids) and Heartrate; a fingertip-worn sensing band for measuring blood oxygen – FingerBand SpO2; and a charging base – BaseStation.
Together, they form the BuddyWOTCH. Each element of the product system requires certifiable electronics and software, and RGi have created an innovative mechanical design tooling and moulding package.