The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) is the worlds largest technology show where the absolute newest tech products and concepts are released. Here are a few of my favorites that I think can potentially help people with chronic health conditions, autoimmune diseases, and disabilities.
Each year, large companies and start-ups alike reveal their newest tech at CES, an international consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, NV. I've gone twice and absolutely loved the feeling of innovation around me. It was awesome to celebrate the ingenuity of human design, and to imagine all the potential ways the technology could change for the world. Call me an optimist, but I think technology is really cool and has the potential to make our lives easier. I am so excited for all the possibilities, especially for those of us with disabilities and chronic health conditions.
The show officially opened today, Thursday, January 5th, and runs through Sunday, January 8th. Over the next few days on social media and my blog, I'll be sharing a few of my favorites and reveal some of the ways that I think they could really help patients and doctors alike!
Although there is definitely a conversation to be had about some of the risks that come with new technology in medicine, there is also a lot to be said about how the rise of technology in healthcare can heighten patient care and quality. Additionally, though things may be pricey now, prices should fall once more competitors get into the game. I believe we can celebrate the innovation, and push for greater affordability at the same time.
Without further ado, here is one of my favorites!
Withings U-Scan: The world's first hands-free connected device that attaches to your toilet bowl and measures urine for at-home urinalysis.
The Withings U-Scan might be one of my absolute favorite reveals this year! A smart urinalysis device is overdue, and this one has so much potential. We typically measure urine to track and diagnose many conditions, from urinary tract infections (UTIs) to kidney health to fertility, peeing in a cup at home and at doctor's office is not going to go away anytime soon...at least until now.
This new home urinalysis device attaches to your toilet with custom cartridges and connects to their app. It has the ability to measure over 100 biomarkers. For patients, it will be able to measure things like:
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) - LH is a hormone that is tracked when a person with a uterus is trying to conceive, or get pregnant. It can also be measured to correctly track the menstrual cycle. Typically, LH surges (aka rises) mid cycle, and signals that ovulation is about to happen and that someone can get pregnant. It is at a very low level otherwise. Multiple LH surges or a chronically high LH can also suggest medical conditions, such as PCOS. Since this measurement will link with their app, it can help relieve some of the mental load that comes with tracking ovulation.
Specific Gravity - this is a measurement that measure how dilute someone's urine is, and when abnormal can indicate suggest things like dehydration, diabetes insipidus, or renal failure. In this case, it would most likely be used to track hydration status.
pH - this measurement reveals how acidic someones urine is. This is important because different types of kidney stones are more likely to develop in very acidic or alkaline urine. Tracking pH can help prevent some kidney stones. It can help suggest if there is a bacterial infection, since some bacteria cause the urine to be a high pH, or alkaline (>7.0)
Nitrites - this is a measurement that indicates someone has a certain type of bacteria in their urine. If they are having UTI symptoms and have positive nitrites, then it's worth speaking with a doctor.
The company is also offering their device for medical professionals who are conducting medical research, clinical trials, or need remote patient monitoring.
I'm envisioning this potentially helping someone who needs frequent urinalysis and finds it difficult and time consuming. Sometimes doing regular urinalysis tests at home might be difficult due to things like executive dysfunction, arthritis, tremors, or even just forgetting. This device has the potential to really reduce mental load and make things easier for patients and physicians, especially since it tracks everything in one app.
Additionally, if someone has something like Systemic Lupus or Chronic Kidney Disease, the ability for remote patient monitoring and testing things like albumin at home would not only save time, but also be preventive. For elderly patients, this is groundbreaking and can help reduce the burden of tracking urine daily. It can also helped loved ones monitor hydration status, which can be especially useful for patients with dementia.
The possibilities are really exciting, and I will be following this device and it's research closely.
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