Cambridge Consultants unveils Bluetooth iPhone apps for mobile health

13 March 2012

Cambridge Consultants demonstrated new Bluetooth low energy (BLE) iPhone 4S applications using CSR’s BLE devices at this year’s Mobile World Congress at the end of February.

The BLE iPhone app demonstrates the transfer of blood pressure readings, using the BLE Blood Pressure Profile, while running on an example single-mode BLE device that could readily be incorporated into a blood pressure monitor.

Every BLE application faces its own challenges relating to power consumption, data transfer requirement and constraints of the smartphone. Leveraging its technical and medical regulatory expertise, Cambridge Consultants is able to optimise usability for both the device and the smartphone to meet the needs of the mHealth space.

mHealth

For mHealth, both local and wide area communications are required and with most mobile phone operating systems providing native Bluetooth stacks, BLE is an ideal technology for integration. BLE technology is designed for low peak current consumption, permitting operation via standard coin-cell batteries and permitting battery life of up to one year.

“We see great potential for CSR’s technology solutions in the mHealth space and Bluetooth low energy-related applications will open significant market opportunities,” said Paul Williamson, Health & Fitness Product Marketing Manager at CSR.

With wireless access to mobile devices becoming the norm, battery life is a critical concern for any new product entering the market. Devices for which BLE has been defined typically run from primary cells and do not need regular charging.

BLE has been designed to provide long-term wireless connection capability without altering the usability of the devices, and require low-cost batteries that must power the wireless capability for very long periods, often until the device itself is replaced.

“We have extensive experience in getting health devices working with smart phones in a regulatory environment, and we are excited to showcase some of our work with CSR at this year’s Mobile World Congress” said Tim Fowler, Commercial Director, Wireless Division at Cambridge Consultants. “In addition, in recognition of the medical regulators’ views becoming clearer on using smart phones in mobile health applications, we foresee imminent and significant growth in the connected health space. We can help companies navigate the regulatory and technical issues to get the most out of the emerging BLE-enabled mHealth technologies.”