Cardiovascular diseases are considered to be among the most prominent diseases across the world today. The increasing understanding of molecules involved in cardiovascular function has led to the development of innovative therapeutic solutions. However, given the complexity and unpredictability of the disease, the emphasis has equally shifted on monitoring the disease at a fairly consistent level. A fundamental challenge that has emerged in the process of treating cardiac diseases is the inability to constantly monitor patients with a risk or currently suffering from a cardiovascular disease. This essentially involves the usage of effective systems that would enable tracking of the patient status for cardiovascular health. However, there exists a gap in the needs and the products available, which are by far bulky and require the patient to remain under controlled conditions.

In an attempt to address this challenge, Biotronik GmBH, a company based in Germany, has developed a wireless cardiac monitoring system--Cardio Messenger II--that transmits information from the patient to the physician in a seamless manner. The technology developed by Biotronik essentially works on effectively reducing diagnosis costs while being able to maximize patient care without essentially resorting to hospitalization and other measures that would potentially make monitoring of large patient numbers impossible.

At its core, the technology underlying the Cardiomessenger-II is based on the principles of transmitting information in a wireless manner. The system is essentially a two component system that includes a cardiac monitoring implant with the patient and a cardiomessenger patient device that is installed at the physician site. Typically, the cardiac performance parameters are recorded by the patient component system and relayed through either an Internet or telephone line via satellite communication. The data is received by the physician, which can be accessed either through the Internet or the short messaging service. The data thereafter could be employed by the physician to draft the appropriate course of action, and hence continuous monitoring becomes possible.

Referring to the Website, sources observe that the technology embedded in the Cardiomessenger-II include several unique features that involve the quad band technology that does away with regional barriers, and hence makes the device suitable for international usage. Further, the intuitive handling process enables patients to feel at ease with the usage of the device and also gives physicians easy telephonic access to follow up on patient treatment.

The technology embedded in the Cardiomessenger-II has been developed largely internally with extensive collaborations between IBM and T Mobile that essentially embed the high-end networking capabilities, which would effectively enhance the long-term application of the device and enhance the diversity of its use to monitor a range of cardiovascular diseases.

Details:

Amela Malja

Director of Corporate Communications

Biotronik GmBH and Co KG

Woermannkehre 1, 12359

Berlin, Germany

Phone: +49-0-30-68905-1400

Fax: +49-0-30-68905-1940

E-mail: press@biotronik.com

URL: www.biotronik.com

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