We live in a society where we want everything to be recorded, monitored, and analyzed. We have apps that tell us how long we’ve slept, the quality level of our sleep, and the best time to wake up. We wear trackers to record our steps per day or monitor our running speed and tell us how to beat our personal best. As technology has become more advanced, it has also become smaller and more portable, making collecting information an easy and natural part of our daily lives.
This trend has quickly moved into the health, fitness, and medical industries, and the options are growing increasingly complex. We have bands and straps which can monitor and record data, which can also be taken to the next level with wearable adhesives – patches applied directly to the skin to track up to the minute data and stats. Rd Medical Products Medical adhesives manufacturers are making constant updates more accessible than ever. Never before have we been so well informed about the state of our health.
Types of Wearable Technology
There are a variety of types of wearable technology, ranging from recording our fitness to some serious medical interventions.
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Temperature Control
Our temperature can tell us a lot about our overall health, our recovery, our fitness, and even our fertility. This monitoring can be instrumental in a medical setting, delivering reliable, accurate data about babies and young children who are prone to sudden fluctuations in temperature. They can also be helpful in monitoring post-operative and cancer patients, for whom a temperature could be a sign of infection, as well as the elderly. These devices are usually applied near the armpit, and they can send mobile alerts if the temperature changes, allowing for fast action.
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Glucose Monitoring
These devices can be a game-changer to those living with diabetes. A flash glucose monitor is worn on the skin, and it consists of two parts: a sensor and a reader. The sensor, which sits just below the surface, is responsible for measuring sugar levels. The reader is swiped over the sensor, and this provides both your blood sugar levels and a trend of your levels for the last eight hours, helping you to spot patterns or concerns.
In addition to monitoring, glucose delivery systems can also deliver insulin according to the checks and information gathered. With an adhesive, this can occur around the clock, removing stress from the patient and providing constant care and control.
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TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
TENS is a form of an electrotherapy device. It uses low-voltage electrical current and can help with muscle pain management, as well as offering some pain relief. The electrodes are attached to the skin, allowing for constant comfort.
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Heart Monitoring Devices
These can be invaluable in recording the heart rate and rhythm of the user and are usually left for a specified time frame, such as 24 or 48 hours.
Wearable medical technology can revolutionize treatment, allowing health care professionals more accurate readings, and making life safer, more comfortable, and easier for patients.