Pioneering The New Mobile Health Paradigm: A Conversation With AliveCor’s David Albert, MD

As mobile health takes steps toward becoming an integral part of mainstream medical care, a number of interesting, new mobile-enabled technologies are making their way into the marketplace. (See Also see "Wireless Technology And The Rise Of “Anywhere” Monitoring" - Medtech Insight, 25 October, 2012., Also see "Mobile Health Promises To Uproot, Uplift Medical Devices" - Medtech Insight, 30 November, 2011., and Also see "Wireless and Mobile Monitoring: Bringing Health Care Home" - Medtech Insight, 1 March, 2011..) One of the most intriguing thus far comes from start-up AliveCor Inc., which recently launched its AliveCor Heart Monitor, designed to work with the iPhone 4 and 4S. (See Exhibit 1.) The device received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration in November as a Class II medical device with an indication to record, display, store, and transfer single-channel ECG (electrocardiogram) rhythm strips. Its accuracy has been supported by several clinical studies, and the company believes the device – which some initially dismissed as a mere novelty – could ultimately become a disruptive medical technology. As a result, other medical device manufacturers – especially the established players in the cardiovascular space – are closely watching AliveCor’s progress.

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