A joint program has been developed to facilitate post surgery monitoring applications by physicians and patients using RFID enabled cell phones under Gentag, Altivera and CORE patents. Physicians will monitor the status of damaged tissues using temperature, pressure and other sensors. Additionally, patients will be able to self-monitor their recovery from the comfort of their own homes. The technology platform uses RFID enabled cell phones, PDAs or wireless laptops that allow remote monitoring by physicians and hospitals, particularly during the critical first 24 hours post injury or surgery. Gentag, Inc. and The CORE Institute® in the USA have announced this joint collaborative effort to develop and market RFID diagnostic Skin Patches for Medical Applications in Orthopedics.
This new technology platform is not only expected to decrease the cost of health care delivery, but more importantly will markedly improve patient safety and outcomes due to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of changes in a patient's condition. Smart skin patches are already a great success, particularly for delivering drugs and cosmetics and diagnostic skin patches are a logical next phase. Power Paper has a version for cosmetic delivery that employs a screen printed manganese dioxide zinc battery and screen printed silver electrodes. Over ten million have been sold.

Mobile operators could become key players in a fully engaged healthcare scenario. They have access to the wireless technology needed to support a wide range of mobile healthcare services. They also have access to the youth market - a demographic group that is often beyond the reach of traditional healthcare providers. Three areas where mobile healthcare is applicable within a fully engaged healthcare scenario:-
* Supplying Dietary Information:
Some food stores have installed hand held wireless scanners that allow shoppers to scan products while shopping. These systems are capable of providing healthcare related information about products - such as ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. RFID labelling and scanning devices that can be used with mobile handsets will become key drivers in this market.
* Fitness and Training:
Smart mobile handsets could be used to upload training programs into exercise equipment. This service would exploit the mobile operator's access to young people.
* Health Monitoring:
Technology, such as wireless enabled scales and blood pressure monitors, can be used to support mobile patient monitoring services. These services can be used to monitor compliance with weight loss plans and gather data prior to a patient's visit to a GP.
Several consumer electronics companies are exploiting the growing demand for devices and services that help people remain trim, fit and mentally alert. The market for consumer electronics based therapeutic and well-being products is set to grow by 20% pa and could be worth US$4 bln pa by 2010. As interest in preventative healthcare increases, wellness products and online services will have a significant impact on the business models currently employed by incumbent healthcare providers. Among the products consumers are already purchasing for use within their mental and physical well-being programs are simple ECG devices that help reduce blood pressure and hypertension by encouraging correct breathing techniques. These products are simple to use and have been shown to be effective as elementary preventative healthcare devices.