Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham partners with Tranquility IOT and Big Data to launch wearable device for home monitoring of glucose and BP

The device, connected to the smart phone, can serve as a micro-bedside monitor in rural clinics

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has entered into a pact with the Kochi-based startup Tranquility IOT and Big Data Solution for the manufacture and sale of a non-invasive device developed by Amrita researchers for home-monitoring of glucose and blood pressure. The device is called, Amrita Spandana.

Developed and patented by the varsity’s Centre for Wireless Networks and Applications, it is a wearable, six-in-one device that is an replacement for a bedside monitor. It can be used to measure six body parameters including blood glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen, respiratory rate, and 6-lead ECG.

Dr Maneesha V Ramesh, the Provost of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham who led the team of researchers commented, “Amrita Spandanam was extensively tested on 1000 patients at Amrita Hospital in Kochi and various remote clinics in Kerala. Last year, these devices were successfully deployed at Amrita Hospital to remotely monitor the progression of severity in COVID-19 patients. Since glucose monitoring is a vital part of diabetes control, it will help patients in rural and inaccessible settings to self-monitor their blood glucose and blood pressure levels without the need to prick their fingers or get the help from a nurse to correctly place the cuff. The data can be sent to any doctor remotely over the internet and tele-consultation initiated within the app itself, enabling the patient to obtain remote prescriptions and guidance. Since the device is non-invasive, there is no need to spend money on buying expensive glucose strips that cost about Rs 25 each.”

Amrita Spandanam uses a single finger clip to compute these vitals and the results can be obtained in less than a minute. This has been made possible with patented AI algorithms developed by Amrita scientists that process differential light signals from multiple LEDs to arrive at vital body measurements. The device also enables patients to monitor their cardiovascular functions through a 6-lead wearable ECG configuration, along with automatic activity tagging, which is highly beneficial for fitness monitoring and post-operative patients. It is connected to the patient’s smartphone. The data is sent to a secure hospital cloud which enables any doctor authorised by the patient to access the vital parameters remotely from any location. The doctor can assess the condition of the patient in a timely manner and initiate teleconsultation. The product also integrates multiple -learning models that can predict the potential deterioration of patients’ health and provide early warning decision support to doctors for acute hypotensive episodes, sepsis, sleep apnea, and atrial fibrillation.