News Brief
Nonin Medical Inc, Plymouth, Minn, has joined 18 other companies, including IBM, Intel, Motorola, Philips Electronics, and Welch Allyn, in a Bluetooth SIG (special interest group) medical devices working group to create a Bluetooth medical device profile. Once ratified, the new protocol would enable health-related devices, such as weight scales, blood pressure monitors, and exercise equipment, to communicate wirelessly with other Bluetooth-enabled medical devices and consumer electronics products, such as cell phones, PCs, and PDAs.
“Establishing wireless interoperability is key to bringing the advantages of today’s communication technologies to patient care,” said Gary Tschautscher, president and CEO of Nonin Medical. “Standardized wireless communications will help improve care and reduce the need for costly office, home, and emergency room visits.”