Wearable Medical Diagnosis Devices

        Advancements in science within the medical sector have increased as a result of advanced 

information and technological innovation.  Devices designed to monitor temperature, heart rate, oxygen

 and glucose levels, blood pressure, and respiration rates have emerged to obtain point-in-time patient 

information; however, the discovery of more comfortable materials and the innovation of flexible, low-

powered silicon-based electronic sensors have expanded the utility of medical devices into constant 

wearable technology (Khan, Ostfield, Lochner, Pierre, & Arias, 2016).  In the following research, the 

sociotechnical plan proposed for the deployment, monitoring, and use of wearable medical diagnosis 

devices seeks to introduce further advancements in technology in the medical environment beyond 

basic monitoring competencies into a more comprehensive role in patient health diagnosis capabilities.


Scope

The medical diagnosis technology scope will focus on leveraging existing monitoring capabilities 

of current wearable medical sensors into more of a comprehensive analysis of those symptoms in 

conjunction with other information gathered from the host.  Additional host information will include the

 aggregation of blood, saliva, and other diagnostic sources to analyze the presence and indicators of 

emerging existing illness or disease. The indications and warning capabilities of wearable medical 

diagnosis devices serve to identify early signs of potential disease and illness beyond the typical 

symptomatic nature of the host feeling ill.  Many conditions and diseases manifest in the host without 

noticeable symptoms. The wearable medical device, much like a check engine light in a motor vehicle, 

indicates a potential underlying problem when traditional symptoms of illnesses are not present. 

Overall, the wearable medical diagnosis device is designed to provide a more comprehensive view of 

the host's general health with capabilities to identify the onset of acute or chronic illness for more 

effective and proactive means of taking care of oneself. 

While the wearable device contains diagnostic connotations, the design of the device's intent is 

not to replace or serve as an alternative to a clinical diagnosis conducted by tests in the medical 

community and medical professionals.  As seen in the innovative advances in the automotive industry, 

sensors have evolved with technology to provide more timely notification of the vehicle's emerging 

mechanical issues and system status.  While tire pressure sensors alert the driver of a developing flat 

tire or merely an anomaly in the current pressure due to changes in environmental temperature 

condition, the definitive diagnosis requires an inspection of the tire.  Similarly, the wearable medical 

diagnosis device intends to serve as a more comprehensive sensor for the human host in collecting 

more information that may not be felt or identified by existing biological sensing capabilities. 

Purpose

The Covid-19 pandemic illustrated the importance of timely and accurate testing of illness based 

on the accuracy in the testing capabilities, methodologies, and the varying symptomatic nature of the 

population's illness.  The asymptomatic nature of Covid-19 in many infected hosts contributed to the 

wide-spread nature of the disease.  Through a systematic analysis of illness indicators in an otherwise 

asymptomatic individual, early indications and warning of potential illness can prompt a more 

proactive response in restricting contact with others and promoting the individual to seek a more 

definitive diagnosis through a certified medical facility. 

Chronic and more severe illnesses, such as cancer, often go unnoticed until more significant and 

noticeable symptoms emerge.  Timely identification of white cell counts and other signs of infection 

early in the process can help patients more proactively capture the onset of indications and precursors

 of more serious illnesses to seek medical attention, early treatment and improve their chances of 

survival.

Finally, the wearable medical diagnostic device can facilitate more medical community

 advancements in the form of additional diagnostic information for identification and treatment options 

for patients and a more precise understanding of an illness's origin.  By analyzing more comprehensive 

data, the availability of more information on a patient's health, behaviors, and physiological changes

 can assist in defining characteristics and additional causes of specific disease and illness.


References

Khan, Y., Ostfeld, A. E., Lochner, C. M., Pierre, A., & Arias, A. C. (2016). Monitoring of vital signs with flexible and wearable medical devices. Advanced Materials, 28(22), 4373-4395.

Yousuf, Muhammad Imran (2007) "Using Experts` Opinions Through Delphi Technique," Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation: Vol. 12, Article 4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7275/rrph-t210


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