A MedTech wristband is a digital band that serves a variety of purposes, including tracking vitals, providing relief for some conditions, and contacting paramedics or loved ones in the event of an emergency. Although there are several kinds of MedTech wristbands, they are all designed to be small and lightweight so that they can be worn comfortably at all times. Many are even waterproof.
In this post, we explore the different types of MedTech wristbands, their benefits, and what features to include if you wish to design an app that is compatible with these devices.
Types of MedTech Wristbands
There are several different types of MedTech wristbands, and they all serve a variety of purposes, offering integrated solutions. We can find simple alert bands that help people seek help if they have experienced a medical condition or suffered an accident, also those that help track daily fitness and remind the person wearing them to take their medications. There are even some that offer relief for the pain. Below are some of the most common types of MedTech wristbands and how they can help keep the wearer healthy and potentially save their lives in an emergency situation.
MedTech Wristbands: Medical Alerts
One of the most common types of MedTech wristbands is a medical alert band. The main purpose of medical alert wristbands is to contact 911 or a loved one when an emergency occurs and the victim is unable to get to a phone.
MedTech alert bands are relatively simple devices with a button that can be pushed to get help. When the victim presses the button, they will either be connected with an emergency operator or their loved one of choice.
Many medical alert bands are also equipped with fall alert detection, access control solutions, and GPS tracking in the event the person becomes incapacitated and unable to press the button. That way, the person can contact an emergency responder and paramedics can be sent to their location, whether or not they can physically contact them.
Alert MedTech wristbands can be linked to a home monitoring system or they can be wireless, allowing the wearer to feel confident that they will be protected while on the go. Plus, these bands are waterproof and can be worn in the shower or when taking a swim.
Health and Fitness Wristbands
Health and fitness MedTech wristbands are a great choice for people of any age and can be worn both day and night. These devices, often referred to as “smartwatches,” offer a host of innovative MedTech features, such as heart rate and blood pressure monitoring, step counting, sleep pattern tracking, and more. They are especially beneficial to those who suffer from cardiovascular conditions because they enable the user to track their vitals around the clock.
Many can be linked to your phone so you can make and receive calls or send and read text messages. Plus, some of these MedTech devices can be programmed to alert the user of important tasks, such as when it’s time to take their medications or remind them of upcoming doctor visits. Some of them can easily be linked to other devices through IoT technology.
Some smartwatches, like the Apple Watch, are also equipped with an SOS feature so you can contact paramedics if you become hurt or experience a medical emergency. You can also include important information about any conditions you suffer from, or allergies in the Health app to let emergency responders know how best to treat you and what medications to avoid that may have a negative effect.
Pain Relief MedTech Wristbands
There are some MedTech wristbands that can provide relief for certain minor conditions, such as pain or nausea. They work by sending a pulse to the median nerve, which is located in the underside part of the wrist, and the pulse then triggers a reaction in the part of the brain that controls nausea.
These MedTech devices are very useful in preventing or minimizing nausea in pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness, those who frequently experience motion sickness, people undergoing chemotherapy, and even those who suffer from anxiety. They can even remedy the effects of a hangover.
MedTech Wristbands vs Medical ID Tags
Many people confuse MedTech wristbands for medical ID bracelets or tags. The main difference between the two concepts lies in the fact that MedTech wristbands are digital devices while medical ID bracelets are simple bands that can be made out of silicone or metal and display a person’s medical condition or allergies. Their purpose is to alert doctors, paramedics, and even civilians of their conditions, such as diabetes, or any other important information, such as blood type or communication barriers, in the event of an emergency and the person is unresponsive. In other words, they are medical identification devices.
These tags will let the emergency responders know what medications to use and which to avoid based on the individual’s condition, as they may have an adverse reaction to certain drugs. Some medical ID bracelets will also display emergency contact information or advanced directives that let responders know who to reach out to in case a regular identification card cannot be found.
Below is a list of important information that should be inscribed on a medical ID bracelet:
- Conditions: Any chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, allergies, epilepsy, heart conditions, high blood pressure, and so on. Pacemakers should also be listed, because these can interfere with imaging devices. Organ transplants should also be listed because those persons are more susceptible to adverse reactions to certain medicines.
- Medications: Any medication the person is currently taking and those the individual is allergic to so healthcare professionals don’t accidentally administer a potentially harmful medication.
- Communication difficulties: These may include any language barriers or conditions that may make it difficult for the individual to speak to healthcare professionals on their own.
- Emergency contact information: The names and phone numbers of family members or those in charge of making critical medical decisions if the person becomes incapacitated.
Developing an App for a MedTech Wristband
MedTech app development is no small feat. If you are thinking about creating an app for a MedTech wristband, it’s important to first understand who your target audience is so you can include features that they will find relevant.
For example, if you are targeting an older demographic, consider adding simple features that will help them remember when to take medications and a function that allows them to contact first responders in the event of an emergency. If you are trying to create an app for either a younger demographic or one that can offer benefits for people of all ages, consider a health and fitness tracking app.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding on what features to include in your app:
- Do you want to provide an app that allows users to track their vitals?
- Do you have an idea for a medication reminder app?
- Are you thinking about creating an app that can help users find a healthcare provider in their area?
- Do you want to create an app that offers a range of solutions, such as healthcare tracking as well as medical appointment or medication reminders?
Your target audience makes all the difference when determining the main purpose of your app and how simple or complex its features will be so that it will offer a positive User Experience (UX).
When developing a MedTech app, you should also make sure it complies with HIPAA regulations. HIPAA rules ensure patient data is secure at all times. You will need to implement several safety protocols, such as two-step authentication systems to ensure your users’ personal information remains private and free from potential hacks.
Design a MedTech App That’s Compatible with Modern Smart Devices
Regardless of the actual purpose of the medical or healthcare app, you need to make sure that it will meet the requirements of wristband manufacturers and other MedTech devices. An experienced app developer can assist you in determining what features to include and how to integrate them into a MedTech wristband. MedTech apps need to be developed by highly skilled professionals who understand what is at risk.
