As wearable technology helps healthcare sector cut costs, the top companies making fitness trackers is revealed by GlobalData

The integration of wearable technology with augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing solutions is driving increased demand for fitness trackers, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The company’s latest report, ‘Wearable Technology in Healthcare – Thematic Research’, reveals that the wearable tech market was worth nearly $23bn in 2018 and is set to grow to $54bn by 2023. The technology has great potential to help the healthcare sector address spiraling healthcare costs, aging populations, and the burden of chronic disease.

The leading companies making fitness trackers according to GlobalData, are;

Fitbit

Fitbit is a pioneer in the wearable technology domain, offering a range of connected health and fitness devices, including fitness watches, smartwatches, wristbands, activity trackers and wireless headphones. The company offers a personalised online dashboard and mobile apps that sync automatically and display real-time data from wearable devices. The Fitbit platform offers social features such as access to an online community of users, leader boards and challenges.

FitBit recently announced its push into the smartwatch market as 70% of its revenue growth is coming from the company’s Health Solutions programme, which primarily caters to employers and payers.

Samsung

Samsung’s wearables portfolio includes smartwatches, smart fitness trackers, and virtual reality (VR) headsets. The company initially developed wearable devices in association with other firms such as Oculus VR and Google. It has now taken control of the subsequent developments and replaced the Android Wear OS with its own Linux-based Tizen operating system (OS).

The company is developing Exynos system-on-chip (SoC) microprocessors for its smartwatches, as well as software and hardware for VR devices. It recently expanded into the hearables segment and is foraying into smart clothes, a segment that has less competition and is gradually gaining market traction.

Garmin

Garmin offers a range of products designed for use in fitness and activity tracking. The company’s fitness trackers and GPS smartwatches are marketed worldwide with the majority of its clientele located across North America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

Garmin introduced the wearables payment platform Garmin Pay and long-term evolution (LTE) enabled smartwatches, apart from the Garmin Connect and Garmin Connect Mobile platforms, which enable users to track, analyse, and share their fitness and wellness data and compete with community members.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi, often referred to as ‘the Apple of China’, is the leading wearables vendor in China. The company is known for delivering high-tech devices at low prices and has a strong command in a number of matured markets, including the US. It procures wearable devices, especially smartwatches, from its exclusive technology partner, Huami.

Xiaomi’s product offerings include the Mi Band fitness trackers, which accounted for approximately one-quarter of the company’s shipments in Q4 2018. Xiaomi is set to introduce new wearables in 2019, which will feature Huami’s new Huangshan-1 chip that is capable of screening the heart rate patterns of users via cloud-based AI.

Nike

Nike is a manufacturer of sporting goods, including wearables that track physiological parameters.

Express Scripts Canada Launches Country's First Medication Nonadherence Early Detection Solution

As many as 70% of Canadians don't take their medications as prescribed, depending on the treatment 

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 27, 2019 /CNW/ - Express Scripts Canada (ESC), one of the largest providers of pharmacy benefits management services in Canada, today announced the launch of a medication nonadherence early detection solution that can identify the individuals who are most likely to stop taking their prescription medication. 

Plan sponsors lose millions of dollars annually in benefits costs, lost earnings, avoidable medical costs, and lost productivity due to patient medication nonadherence. Set to launch in 2020, the Express Scripts Canada Adherence Program will look at prescription drug claims using proprietary predictive modelling to detect people at risk for future nonadherence. 

"Encouraging adherence is our priority and being able to know who is at risk for nonadherence is half the battle. We are proud to be the first pharmacy benefits manager in Canada to establish a program that will make a real difference in the lives of Canadians by identifying who is at risk before they start to take their prescribed medication," says Dr. Dorian Lo, President, Express Scripts Canada. 

Medication nonadherence is an alarming trend and healthcare challenge, which results in worsening condition, short-term leave, hospital visits, extra medical testing, etc. While nonadherence is a problem for the majority of patients regardless of their treatment needs, it hits patients who take more than one medication harder. The more medications a patient requires, the less likely they are to following their prescribed medication regimens. 

"We know that it's not enough to know who is going to be nonadherent. It requires proactive adherence opportunities and member intervention in order for medications to work," says Lo. "Our medication adherence program will facilitate a proactive, personalized approach, which includes services like renewal and refill reminders that further support best possible health outcomes, to combat the nonadherence challenge."

About Express Scripts Canada

Express Scripts Canada is a leading health benefits manager in Canada and has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the world. Our clients include Canada's leading insurers, third party administrators and government. We work with these clients to develop industry-leading solutions to deliver superior healthcare in a cost-controlled environment. We provide Active Pharmacy™ services to more than 7 million Canadian patients and adjudicate more than 100 million pharmacy, dental, and extended health claims. Through our proprietary consumer intelligence, clinical expertise, and patients-first approach, we promote better health decision for plan members, while managing and reducing drug benefit costs for plan sponsors. Express Scripts Canada is a subsidiary of Express Scripts, a Cigna company. Express Scripts is a healthcare opportunity company that unlocks new value in pharmacy, medical, and beyond to further total health. 

SOURCE Express Scripts Canada

Breast milk could help prevent heart disease caused by premature birth, RCSI study

DUBLIN, Nov. 27, 2019 -- Early use of breast milk could play a vital role in preventing heart disease in prematurely born infants, according to a paper led by researchers at RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) and the Rotunda Hospital.

The review article, published in the journal Pediatric Research, was written in collaboration with researchers from Harvard Medical School, University of Oxford and University of Toronto.

One of the long-term health complications that young adults born prematurely may have is unique heart characteristics. These can include smaller heart chambers, relatively higher blood pressure, and a disproportionate increase in muscle mass in the heart.

One study cited in the article looked at 30 preterm-born adults who were assigned to receive exclusive human milk and 16 preterm-born adults who were assigned to receive an exclusive formula-based diet during their hospital stay at birth. They then underwent detailed cardiovascular assessment between 23 and 28 years of age, including an MRI of their hearts. As expected, all of the hearts of those born prematurely had smaller chambers than the hearts in people who were not born prematurely.

However, the study showed that the smaller heart chambers were less profound for the exclusively human milk-fed group in comparison to those who were exclusively formula fed, suggesting a potentially protective effect of human milk for heart structure.

The researchers then identified potential reasons for why breast milk results in a lower risk of heart disease. Breast milk could help prevent heart disease by better regulating hormones and growth factors, strengthening the infant’s immune system, reducing inflammation and by possibly improving the metabolism of the child.

Identifying the key components within breast milk that result in improved heart health could pave the way for a more targeted approach to improve long-term cardiovascular wellbeing for those born prematurely.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that premature birth results in long-term adverse cardiovascular effects with important clinical consequences. There is a distinct lack of preventative and therapeutic interventions available to alleviate those effects,” said Professor Afif EL-Khuffash, Honorary Clinical Professor of Paediatrics at RCSI and Consultant Neonatologist at The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.

“The current evidence comes from observational studies and highlights the strong link between early breast milk administrations and improvement in long-term heart health, but it lacks concrete mechanistic explanations. More studies on the composition of breast milk could make clear exactly what causes these health benefits, which could in turn lead to better treatment options.”

The collaborative research group is continuing to study the effects of human milk exposure on heart function in very premature infants by using novel scans to measure heart function. They hope to demonstrate that early human milk exposure in premature infants can lead to significant improvements in heart function over the first two years of age.  

RCSI is ranked among the top 250 (top 2%) of universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2020) and its research is ranked first in Ireland for citations. It is an international not-for-profit health sciences institution, with its headquarters in Dublin, focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide. RCSI has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education. 

In Search of the Perfect Strain: Top Cultivator in California’s “Wine Country” of Weed Shares Generational Wisdom Behind One Family’s Decades-Long Pursuit of the Perfect Toke

Committed to purity and sustainability, Autumn Brands’ Head Grower talks sixth-generation Dutch farming techniques and the challenges of spearheading a “no-spray” operation

LOS ANGELES, California – Backed by decades of hard-won sustainable farming expertise, 50% woman-owned Autumn Brands stands out as a sixth-generation, family-run operation with a health-centered holistic focus and refreshingly artisanal approach. Running a large-scale cannabis operation presents a variety of challenges for any commercial grower. Every aspect of cultivation requires strategic precision, from selecting the hardiest strains to keeping up with increasing demand for product. In a notoriously competitive market, many sellers rely on harsh chemicals and pesticides to speed the growth process and ensure a strong final product. Under the watchful eye of Head Grower Johnny Brand, Autumn Brands far surpasses federal and state regulatory standards, offering powerfully potent strains of clean, pesticide-free cannabis from a name customers trust for quality and consistency.

“As no-spray cannabis farmers, we have few of the tools traditional growers use to battle things like mildew and mold,” explains Johnny Brand of Autumn Brands’ rigorous, hands-on approach. Once he establishes that a particular strain is not hypersensitive to the ravages of moisture, he tests 10 plants and observes their unique growth patterns through three distinct stages: first, he notes how easily clones take root and how quickly they grow. Next, Brand looks for plants that swell quickly, producing strong trichomes (the sticky resin glands responsible for their THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid content) and terpenes (which give each strain its unique flavor and aroma). Finally, post-harvest, the plants are dried, hand-trimmed, and lab-tested to verify THC and CBD levels, as well as other beneficial cannabinoids. 

“The full process takes around 6 months, and I’m constantly searching for new strains to test and grow,” says Brand. Fortunately, several family-owned greenhouses give the company a unique edge: the freedom to grow and test product year-round in conjunction with the weather. “Indoor grows can operate year-round, regardless of the weather. Outdoor grows can only cultivate in warmer seasons,” he explains. “We’ve grown in the same greenhouses for more than 27 years, as hard-won knowledge from my grandpa and my dad passed down to me. My favorite part of our approach is the ability to work with the seasons; some plants change color and growth speed depending on the weather - which makes the testing process especially challenging - but it’s also what keeps me engaged in the process.”

Autumn Brands brings an uncompromising work ethic, informed by generations of family farming, to the task of producing hand-selected, sun-grown buds - each hang-dried, hand-trimmed, and cured to preserve maximum potency and full healing benefits. Overseeing every stage of their no-spray growth process, Johnny Brand and his expert team deliver sustainably sourced, farm-to-consumer cannabis to a blossoming health and wellness market. Visit www.AutumnBrands.com to learn more and discover their full selection of premium flower, pre-rolls, and pre-filled cartridges. Follow on Instagram @AutumnBrands for the latest product releases and updates. 

About Autumn Brands:

Autumn Brands is a licensed California cannabis cultivator dedicated to the synergy of health and wellness. The Autumn Brands’ family farm started in Holland more than a century ago, and today, sixth-generation farmers apply the same expertise garnered in growing the world’s finest tulips to producing pure and potent strains of cannabis in sunny, coastal Santa Barbara County. Autumn Brands is proud to be 50 percent woman-owned, free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. For more information, visit www.autumnbrands.com or email leighanne@anderson-pr.com.

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Dr. Robert Amyot, cardiologist and patient safety advocate, joins the MEDFAR Clinical Solutions team to help support its international growth

MONTREAL, Nov. 27, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Cardiologist and patient safety advocate, Dr. Robert Amyot, is joining the MEDFAR Clinical Solutions executive team as Chief Medical Officer, at a time when the company is expanding its presence across Canada and internationally. By welcoming an experienced practitioner and manager aboard, MEDFAR, already a leader in Quebec in the field of electronic medical records, is further reinforcing the strength of its executive team.

"Having rapidly gained the trust of over 6000 healthcare providers and more than 1000 clinics across Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia, it was the ideal time to welcome Dr Amyot. His valuable expertise in patient safety and broader perspective on the protection of medical data will allow us to pursue our international expansion while remaining true to MEDFAR's values." said Elias Farah, co-founder and CEO of MEDFAR. 

A cardiologist by training, Dr. Amyot was a researcher and Associate Professor of Medicine at the Université de Montréal, where he taught clinical cardiology and echocardiography. An entrepreneur at heart, Dr. Amyot also founded the company Vimedix, which developed the first ever virtual reality transthoracic echocardiography simulator, and whose first client was a Harvard University affiliated hospital. 

Following the acquisition of Vimedix by the multinational company CAE, Dr. Amyot joined the management team of the CAE Healthcare division where he worked for nearly 10 years, serving as Chief Medical Officer, and then as President. In 2018, he was inducted into the Simulation Hall of Fame of the National Center for Simulation in the US. He sits on several boards of directors, including the board of the Royal College International, affiliated with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

"I'm proud to be joining the dynamic MEDFAR team that is helping to shine the light on Canadian genius abroad," said Dr. Amyot. "MEDFAR has developed a visionary digital ecosystem at a moment when the adoption of information technology is revolutionizing healthcare systems around the world."  

About MEDFAR

MEDFAR Clinical Solutions was founded in 2010 by two aeronautical engineers who realised healthcare wasn't leveraging the full potential of technology. Supported by a large community of clinical experts and determined to evolve its solution with its users, MEDFAR was the first to certify a fully cloud based Electronic Medical Records in Canada, MYLE (Make Your Life Easy).

Committed to driving excellence and efficiency in healthcare globally, MEDFAR differentiates itself by solely focusing on clinics and offering an intuitive, end-to-end Clinical Management Solution that substitutes inefficient processes with a faster and safer technological alternative. www.medfarsolutions.com 

SOURCE MEDFAR Clinical Solutions

HOW TO AVOID HOLIDAY HEARTBURN AS EXPLAINED BY AN INTERNIST AND GASTROENTEROLOGIST

                                    www.niketsonpal.com

Even if you’re not a “foodie” most people look forward to indulging in the culinary delights of holiday time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. This  means that even people who are typically disciplined eat too much in one evening, eat rapidly, imbibe amounts of alcohol they are unaccustomed to, and consume foods that may not be part of their regular diet because “tis the season.”  While nobody likes a medical grinch, there are ways to have gastronomic fun without paying the price with holiday heartburn. Dr. Niket Sonpal is an internist and gastroenterologist at Touro College of Medicine.  He shares his tips for having your holiday cake and eating it too.

Heartburn happens when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus. It can also go by two names: GER (gastroesophageal reflux) or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). GER is also known as acid indigestion, happening only once in a while. GERD is chronic heartburn that can lead to esophageal cancer if left untreated.

Here are some tips for avoiding holiday heartburn

Eat light turkey, not dark

High-fat food can spell trouble if you're prone to heartburn, so do yourself a favor and skip the skin when it comes to turkey time. Your best bet is to eat turkey breast and avoid oilier dark meat. The same goes for gravy. If it's not fat free, it may be smarter to skip this dish.

Choose baked, not mashed

If you have chronic heartburn, you don't have to give up your favorite foods. You just have to choose wisely to save yourself some pain later on. For example, mashed potatoes can trigger heartburn, but baked potatoes may not. When it comes to dairy products, the less fat the better.  Limit butter and avoid sour cream.

Choose multigrain rolls or bread

When choosing grain-based food for the holiday, you can't go wrong with multigrain bread or rolls. Corn bread and white bread are good choices too,if you want to avoid heartburn.

One side dish that should be strictly for the kids, however, is macaroni and cheese. This is one of those dishes known to trigger acid reflux, according to the National Heartburn Alliance.

Selecting a salad

Salads are good news for those with chronic heartburn or GERD—if you have the right salad dressing and ingredients, that is. High-fat foods are a known trigger for acid reflux, so the National Heartburn Alliance recommends avoiding creamy salad dressings, as well as oil and vinegar. Your best bet is a low-fat salad dressing, and avoid tomatoes, raw onions, and other acid-aggravating ingredients. (Want fruit in your salad? Choose apples, not oranges, if you want to avoid heartburn.)

Avoid foods that cause heartburn.

People who suffer from heartburn often know the trigger foods that cause symptoms. Common foods include chocolates, caffeine and greasy foods. These foods relax the lower esophagus sphincter muscle, when this muscle is relaxed, the food will go back up and cause heartburn. Other foods that can trigger heartburn include acidic foods such as citrus fruits or carbonated beverages. This means avoid Champagne! 

Skip Mint Desserts

Candy canes and chocolate mint desserts are best left for others. These dangerous holiday delectables are notorious for helping acid reflux on its way.

Eat more ginger

Ginger is one ingredient that can help ease heartburn, if you don't get too much of it. (More than 2 to 4 grams per day can actually cause heartburn.)

Ginger is a natural match for root vegetable dishes commonly served during the holidays. Heartburn-friendly vegetables include carrots, cabbage, peas, broccoli, and green beans

Linger Over Your Food

Take the time to eat slowly and enjoy your food. Rushing through your meal or chewing with your mouth open can increase your chances of indigestion or heartburn. Linger over your food and allow yourself to feel full by giving your food time to digest.

Limit Alcoholic Beverages

Have to have that holiday egg nog? Limit it to one glass. This festive beverage can do double the damage. Not only does it contain alcohol that irritates your stomach but it contains the added dose of diary that can cause bloating and gas.

Cut yourself off.

After-hours holiday parties can keep you snacking all night, but eating too close to bedtime can make acid reflux worse. Stop eating and drinking (water included) three hours before bedtime.

Ditch the post-meal nap:

Sleeping right after eating can increase GERD symptoms. Instead of falling asleep, try going for a walk.

Dr. Niket Sonpal

 is a native of Long Island NY and a graduate of Medical University of Silesia – Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the 2013‐2014 Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical instructor at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn. Dr. Sonpal has completed his Fellowship in gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital and will continue his work in the field of medical student and resident test preparation.

Dr Sonpal has spoken and presented at over 25 national and regional conferences on his research and is a regular participant in national courses, as well as offering presentations to medical students, graduates, and residents on the match process. Recently Dr. Sonpal was chosen as one of top ten national residents for the Medelita–‐Dupont Honoring Excellent Resident Observations also known as the H.E.R.O. Campaign. He is the co‐author for the best-selling Master the Boards: USMLE Step 2 CK, Master the Boards Step 3, And Master the Boards: Internal Medicine. He is also the Chief Operating Officer for Medquest Test Prep, Director of Medical Education for Picmonic Test Prep, and a recognized expert on medical test prep.Dr. Sonpal is also on the board of the NY‐ American College Of Physicians (NYACP), and AAPI–‐NYC–‐METRO as the MSRF liaison. He has recently become a board member for NYCMS (New York County Medical Society    

COUNTDOWN TO NEW YEAR’S EVE: HOW TO GET GREAT SKIN BEFORE THE BALL DROPS ON 2019

www.drmanishshah.com

As luck would have it, most women seem to experience skin care problems just when they want to look their best. Every woman can relate to waking up with a huge zit right at the tip of her nose, or huge dark circles under the eyes, and the list goes on. There are pre-emptive measure one can take with less than two weeks until the New Year to ward off these skin care evils. We turned to Dr. Manish Shah, a Denver board certified plastic surgeon for guidance on what to do without breaking the bank or having invasive surgery.

Facial Extractions by a licensed aesthetician- Dr. Manish Shah says, “When done correctly extraction facials can clear closed comedones (AKA those tiny, flesh-colored bumps that never come to a head, yet never really go away), remove whiteheads and blackheads, and give your skin a newer, fresher foundation for your skincare products to penetrate. Basically, extractions can be the kiss of life for your lifeless broken out skin.”

Drink Alcohol in Moderation

If you plan on ringing into 2019 with a few glasses of bubbly, Dr. Shah recommends moderating your alcohol consumption leading up to the big day. He explains, “Alcohol can dehydrate the skin and cause it to appear less fresh and vibrant, which can certainly hinder your skin care efforts.”

Cleanse your Face Every Night- You have just arrived home at 2 am from a holiday Party. It may be tempting to flop into bed without washing your face. Don’t do it! Dr. Shah says that, “Sun damage isn’t the only environmental factor you have to worry about. Small micro particles from air pollutants might just hurt your skin, too. Play it safe by remembering to take a minute to cleanse your face to remove debris that could be weakening your skin. In addition, that foundation and pressed powder you have been wearing all night can clog your pores and cause breakouts.” 

Start Exfoliating

Want brighter, younger-looking skin? It starts with a great at home exfoliator! Dr. Shah explains that, “As your skin replenishes itself, dead skin cells start to build up on the top layer, leaving you looking dull. Exfoliating regularly removes this layer, revealing fresh, healthy skin. Regular exfoliation also allows your moisturizer and other topical products to penetrate more deeply, making them more effective.” 

Clean Your Makeup Brushes

You would not eat food on dirty dishes, would you? Applying makeup with dirty brushes is not so different. Not only will dirty brushes give you a spotty application, but they can harbor bacteria, dirt and oil, leading to acne and breakouts which necessitates piling on even more makeup to cover it up. 

Don’t Squeeze Your Pimples!

Here's a secret that many a supermodel or actress use: Steroid shots. Dr. Shah explains that, "when we discuss treating acne with cortisone or "steroid" shots, we are referring to the process of gently placing a very dilute quantity of a "glucocorticoid" steroid into the cyst. Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid molecules that are naturally produced by our bodies and have numerous functions including the regulation of human metabolism, immunity, and inflammation. They have very potent anti-inflammatory effects, so they are often used to treat inflammatory diseases in medicine. They can be formulated as creams to treat skin rashes or as pills to treat systemic disease. They can also be injected directly into local areas of inflammation such as in arthritic joints and inflamed acne cysts. Within one or two days of injection into a cyst, the steroid will shrink the inflammation producing relief of pain and almost immediate cosmetic improvement."

Peels

Look for AHA/BHA/PHA peels that will exfoliate the skin and help release the top layers of dead skin cells allowing for a more radiant underlay to come through.

Microdermabrasion

This professional treatment exfoliates at a deeper level (similar to a peel), with a mechanical handheld device that buffs away the upper layers of the skin.

Add vitamin C to your routine.

Dr. Shah suggests applying several drops of vitamin C serum underneath SPF each morning to target free radical damage, help lighten brown spots, and even out your skin tone.

Moisturizer

It may seem obvious, but when it comes to dewy, glowing skin, moisturizing is essential. "When your skin is dry, it looks dull, so hydrating ingredients can help bring back that glow," says Dr.  Shah. For skin types already prone to shine, adding moisture may seem like the last thing you need, but an oil-free hydrator with ingredients like hyaluronic acid could actually help reduce your sebum production and even out slickness into a sleek glow.

About Dr. Manish Shah

Manish Shah, M.D., F.A.C.S. was born in Canada and raised in the Washington, D.C. area. He graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a degree in biomedical engineering. He then completed his medical training at the University of Virginia, earning his Medical Doctorate. During this time, he also completed a one-year fellowship in microsurgery research at the New York University School of Medicine / Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. As a prelude to his plastic surgery training, Dr. Shah completed a rigorous five-year training program in General and Trauma Surgery at Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia. His formal training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was completed at the Univ. of Tennessee College of Medicine – Chattanooga Unit. After completing his plastic surgery training, he moved to New York City when he was selected for the prestigious Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital. He underwent extensive, advanced training in aesthetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body at the hands of some of the most renowned cosmetic surgeons in the world. This fellowship is widely considered to be the best of its kind in the world. Dr. Shah is one of only a select few plastic surgeons in the country who have undergone formal post-graduate training in aesthetic surgery.

Dr. Shah’s specialties include revision facial aesthetic surgery, rhinoplasty (“nose reshaping”), and aesthetic surgery of the breast (breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction). He is, however, well-trained in all areas of aesthetic surgery.

Dr. Shah’s aim is to obtain a natural appearing transformation that complements the real you!

Dr. Shah is a past Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center based at Denver Health Medical Center, the Rocky Mountain region’s only academic Level I trauma center. He is a past Chief of Plastic Surgery at Denver Health Medical Center. He also maintains a private practice in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery on the Dry Creek Medical Center campus (DTC/Denver) and up in the Aspen Valley (Basalt – in the office of MD Aesthetics – Tim Kruse, M.D.).

Dr. Shah is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Shah is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Sheridan Team Designs NewPneu, a Cost-Effective System for
Diagnosing Childhood Pneumonia in Low-Resource Settings

For Immediate Release: November 25, 2019

Oakville, Ontario: A device designed by a team of faculty and student researchers at Sheridan’s Centre for Mobile Innovation(CMI) has the potential to impact the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia - a significant cause of death for children worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. NewPneu is a mobile health solution that’s cost-effective, portable, easy to use and energy-efficient, all factors essential for use in low-resource communities. 

The team at Milton, Ontario-based telehealth company, Tech4Life Enterprises, approached the CMI’s Director, Dr. Edward Sykes, in 2017 about leveraging Sheridan’s expertise through an applied research partnership. Principal Investigator, Dr. Tarek El Salti, a professor in Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Computer Science (Mobile Computing)program and third-year student researcher, Warren Zajac, have since championed the project, bringing it from idea to proof of concept in just over a year. Financial support has been provided from Tech4Life and through a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant.

NewPneu consists of a circuit board with biometric sensors to capture respiratory rate and blood-oxygen level (Sp02), two measurements commonly used to detect pneumonia in children, and an Android mobile health app to receive data via Bluetooth. Currently available pneumonia-detection systems are proprietary and cost approximately $990 EUR for the circuit board alone. Parts for Sheridan’s NewPneu board cost only $10 USD. Commercially available products can run for 24 hours before requiring a charge, while NewPneu runs for up to 156 hours with energy efficient components. 

With support from the Sheridan Research Ethics Board, the CMI team conducted human testing of NewPneu. Using a gold-standard, hospital-grade device for comparison, they gathered data from participants after three levels of physical activity – sitting, walking on a level surface and climbing a flight of stairs. In all three instances, the results from the gold-standard device and NewPneu were comparable with statistically significant correlations. “We were thrilled at this validation,” says Dr. El Salti. “It’s a testament to Warren’s hardware and software design skills.”

Tech4Life’s Global CEO and Lead Researcher, Dr. Shariq Khoja, is impressed by the work of Sheridan’s team in co-creating technology with potential to meaningfully address a major global health concern. “Sheridan’s team has shown great expertise, designing a device that can be scaled for use globally,” he says. “Health providers I’ve spoken with are intrigued by NewPneu and feel that it will strengthen health systems by empowering thousands of health providers in early diagnosis of pneumonia, saving the lives of young children.”

While communities with low resources are the intended target, the CMI team is also mindful of its application for addressing overcrowded emergency rooms. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, concerns related to pneumonia was one of the top 10 reasons people visited emergency departments in 2017-18. “Imagine anyone having access to an inexpensive, user-friendly NewPneu device so that basic biometrics can be taken and sent to a local health provider to confirm whether the patient needs to seek medical attention,” says Dr. El Salti. “Hospitals won’t be bogged down with people who don’t need emergency care.”

With the viability of the CMI’s design, it puts into questions why such a device hasn’t yet been created and commercialized. “There’s a lot of catching up to be done when it comes to innovations in healthcare,” says Dr. El Salti. “Addressing health-related issues from a medical perspective is one thing, but technology has a role to play. Interdisciplinary approaches like the one we take at the Centre for Mobile Innovation can bring about these cutting-edge solutions.” Zajac adds: “NewPneu is novel because it works with any Android device – something many people have access to these days – so the costs are automatically reduced by removing the need for a screen. Sometimes it’s a matter of applying technology we use every day in meaningful ways.”

NewPneu is catching the attention of members of medical and technology communities around the world. In October, Dr. El Salti and Zajac presented the system at the 10^th annual IEEE Annual Information Technology, Electronics and Mobile Communication Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. This December, they’ve been invited to present at the 2019 Global Digital Health Forum in Bethesda, Maryland in front of thousands of healthcare and technology professionals. 

Learn more about Sheridan’s Centre for Mobile Innovation and Research at Sheridan