5 mobile medical apps that are okay with the FDA
Earlier this year, the FDA published a list of some of the mobile medical apps that it has given clearance to since 1997 (although we’re guessing the digital health landscape looked a little different back in ’97).
The list of approved mobile medical apps is here, but we looked at just five of the most commonly used examples.
1 – Airstrip
A host of mobile medical apps from Texas-based Airstrip get the green light from the FDA. The Airstrip portfolio is aimed at clinicians and hospital IT providers. One of many software providers to target clinicians, Airstrip claims to have built “the first complete, enterprise-wide clinical mobility solution”.
2 – AliveCor
The optimistically named AliveCor is a set of patient-use ECG mobile medical apps for people with heart conditions. AliveCor say it’s more than just an ECG though. “In addition to medications, you can track symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath, habits like caffeine or alcohol consumption, and activities like exercise or sleep.” – AliveCor
3 – Family Healthware
Move aside 23andMe. Family Healthware is one of the FDA-approved mobile medical apps that aims to predict future illnesses based on family history only (not via DNA testing). Six specific diseases are covered: diabetes, stroke, coronary heart disease, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. Users can then invite blood relatives to find out their statistical likelihood of developing these illnesses. Considering the level of other external risk factors which are thought to contribute to some of the above, this one is likely to encourage debate. Then again, it does look like a great way to reduce pre-existing risk by making lifestyle changes.
4 – QardioArm
This app/device combo is from the makers of QardioBase (for the uninitiated, Qardio is a big player in mobile medical apps). Quite simply, it’s a blood pressure monitor with an app. And you can buy it in a range of colours!
5 – PanOptic
Another combo of medical device + mobile medical apps. This device is for professional use, and uses an adapter called iExaminer which attaches the opthalmoscope to the user’s smart phone, generating clear, portable images of the eye. Check it out in use on Mount Kilimanjaro!