Beyond Steps Counting and Biometric Stats Monitoring

By: Yasunari Ramon Suarez Taguchi

Fitness bands and activity trackers may largely be the face of wearable health devices these days, but as popular as these products are, they are not the only devices in the arena of health-oriented portable/ wearable tech. The emergence of healthcare-oriented devices that do more than just keep records of steps or calorie burn counts proves that there’s more to what’s known about the product class. Here are examples of such devices.

A “meditation headband” A portable stress management device

Stress has been widely attributed to be the cause of various medical afflictions, and in response to stress’ links to various medical concerns, a Dublin-headquartered firm developed a consumer-grade device that can “measure” stress levels to give users an idea on how they can better stay stress free.

Named the “Pip Stress Management Biosensor”, the device can monitor stress levels based on electrodermal activity. It requires users to link the device to a compatible smartphone or tablet, hold the device between the thumb and index finger, then go through a series of smart deviceanchored assessments that translate biofeedback readings as stress level visualizations.

The device can give feedback and information on stress levels and issue recommendations on how one can relax/destress, thereby help users better get through a day.

For those who can’t focus or keep their thoughts calm during meditation sessions, a device called “Muse” may be of assistance.

Developed by a Toronto-based firm, this “brain sensing headband” is designed to wirelessly connect to a smartdevice, which, though a bundled application, can issue meditation guide prompts that’re based on biofeedback readings.

Essentially, the device helps users “train” themselves to calmer, level-headed mindsets by issuing meditation guides that’re based on real time “mind activity measurements” for better, more calibrated meditation sessions.

It has an updated version in the “Muse S”, which features sleep tracking functions that help users monitor their sleeping habits, in a bid to stay fit and healthier.

A menstrual/fertility cycle monitoring bracelet

Poised as a real-time alternative to ovulation strips, the “Ava” bracelet is a fertility and menstrual cycle monitor that boasts an 89% accuracy rate, based on clinical studies.

It looks no different from the form factor of most fitness bands and activity trackers, and the device houses sensors that keeps track of its wearer’s breathing and sleep cycles, skin temperature levels, resting pulse rates and other data that correlates indications of a rise in reproductive hormone levels.

The device essentially arms its wearers with a real time detection of fertility windows, which is ideal for users who are trying to have a baby or simply want to have a real-time monitor for menstrual cycles.

A “breath-based” metabolism tracker

Equipped with a CO2 sensor and flow meter, the “Lumen” device is touted as the “world’s first hand-held portable device to accurately measure metabolism”.

It works by determining CO2 concentration levels from a single breath, which, as its proponents describes, conducts real-time analysis and assessments if a user’s body fuel is fats or carbs.

Basing its assessments from a single breath, the device can provide users information on what their body needs, which ranges from personalized nutrition/dietary recommendations, guidelines pertaining to better sleeping habits, more effective workout routines and regimens and more.

The device has been scientifically validated, and is largely praised for being able to provide a lot of information that would traditionally take a lot of tests and time to come up.

A personal/ portable EKG machine

Though not recommended for those that have pacemakers, the “KardiaMobile” device is a functional “personal EKG” machine that can provide medical-grade electrocardiogram readouts.

Developed by the US-headquartered AliveCor Labs, it is a portable device that wirelessly connects to a smartphone which, when paired with a dedicated app, adds a portable EKG function to a phone.

Noted by its proponents to have passed

US FDA checks, it affords users with access to EKG data which they can email to their doctors as a way to provide basic assessments on their heart health. The device can do basic tests for doctors to interpret, and it is not designed to check for heart damage or warning signs of a heart attack.