TTA Archives 2005-2012

Researchers at the University of Chicago Hospitals Pediatric Epilepsy Center, with Chicago-based Wave Technology Group, are developing a smartphone-based system which can help monitor severely epileptic patients 24/7 from anywhere.  A small EEG (brain wave) set (contained in a hat) transmits data to the patient’s smartphone and sends to a monitoring center.  The center determines patterns, and patients then receive text alerts on if a potential seizure may occur. Cost savings are substantial:  an EEG used in hospital monitoring costs $10,000 and there are only 100 epilepsy centers in the US; the Wave monitor is fully portable and estimated to cost $1,500 – $2,500 per patient per year.  There are an estimated 3 million people with epilepsy in the US–with 10% categorized as severe cases. Here may be a significant advance for them.  MedGadget.  Bloomberg Business Week.