Bluetooth SIG considers health monitoring device standards

Steve Hards

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) will begin drafting a specification this year for use of Bluetooth in medical devices, with the new profile available for use in devices in the first half of 2007. There are already Bluetooth-enabled medical devices on the market but these are based on proprietary technology. The creation of an industry standard design profile will ensure interoperability and proliferate the use of the technology. According to Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG, ” Bluetooth technology is ideally suited for [such monitoring and] will provide a better quality of life for patients while reducing the cost of healthcare.” Medgadget article.