Philips Healthcare, a global leader in health technology, has announced that it would be entering into a non-exclusive patent licensing agreement with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for a software application that provides remote patient monitoring in real-time.
The technology, known as Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Observation Kit (Batdok™), uses wearable sensors that can remotely monitor a patient’s vital signs. The system, developed by the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, was intended to be used in the field so that medics can efficiently monitor multiple casualties in the field through a smartphone or tablet. The company said adaptation of this wearable technology for civilian applications will advance telemedicine capabilities.
“Many of the [Department of Defense’s] medical inventions have potential dual-use civilian applications,” said Joan Wu-Singel, senior technology manager at TechLink. “In this case, BATDOK could be used in a hospital setting, ambulances, and we’re even imagining it help address opioid abuse through dosage monitoring.”
Wireless sensors placed on the patient send information on the patient’s vitals signs and conditions to medical personnel wearing a smartphone device strapped to their wrist, allowing them to make enhanced decisions. The application also records all vital signs and information logged by the attending staff, with seamless data transfers during patient handoff.
In the past, the Pentagon has made deals with other digital health companies as well. Just last week, it made a deal with Australian sleep company ResApp to develop a mobile application that will help determine the mission-readiness of US military personnel. Philips Healthcare’s parent company, Philips, has also been actively involved in the digital health space.
Kirk Hendler, VP Business Development Philips Government Solutions DoD, said Philips will use Batdok to boost patient monitoring by combining user experience, exceptional mobility, and reliability. “This all-in-one mobile solution will enhance care delivery by bringing critical data to decision makers,” he said.
The patent license agreement, which was completed on July10, contains undisclosed financial terms. With this agreement, Philips Healthcare now have permission to finalize product development and start offering solutions to both government and civilian customers.
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Dr. Jim Kearns, technology transfer and domestic alliance manager at the 711th Human Performance Wing, said they’re confident that Philips will deliver products with numerous benefits. “The Wing has brilliant people doing cutting-edge research. Collaboration with businesses, case in point, enhances their work and gets it to the warfighter,” he said.
