Author: Christine Young, Maxim Integrated bloggers
From medical wearables to diagnostic tools, high-tech innovations are playing a crucial role in transforming healthcare. These advanced solutions not only help prevent illnesses but also enable more personalized and efficient care. Today, devices can monitor a wide range of vital signs, and ongoing research is expanding the number of health parameters that can be tracked. According to ReportLinker, the global market for preventive health technologies is expected to reach $432.4 billion by 2024. This growth is driven by the increasing use of advanced technologies such as smart devices, vaccines, and monitoring systems that help reduce medical errors and improve patient outcomes.
For engineers and healthcare professionals, this shift represents an exciting opportunity to develop innovative solutions that make healthcare more accessible and effective. Let’s explore how some startups are leveraging analog ICs to build the next generation of virtual medical tools.
HD Medical – Smart Stethoscope
HD Medical has created an electronic stethoscope called ViScope that enhances heart sounds by displaying real-time heart waveforms. The idea came from CEO Arvind Thiagarajan, who was inspired by his early experiences with health issues. His mentor encouraged him to become a “doctor’s doctor,†someone who could impact millions of lives. With the ViScope, doctors can analyze patient data more accurately during initial screenings, and the device supports telehealth by allowing remote experts to observe heart data in real time.
To build the ViScope, the team needed high-performance, low-power, and compact ICs. They turned to Maxim’s MAX32620 microcontroller, MAX14690 battery management IC, MAX1703 DC-DC converter, and battery monitor. “Maxim offers the best solution for our needs,†Thiagarajan said, emphasizing the importance of miniaturization and power efficiency in their design.
MedWand – Handheld Telemedicine Device
Dr. Samir Qamar, CEO of MedWand, believes technology is revolutionizing virtual healthcare. Their handheld device, MedWand, measures various vital signs and allows medical professionals to remotely examine patients. “Our vision is to provide care wherever patients are,†he said. If the collected data exceeds certain thresholds, the device automatically alerts the patient’s physician.
The challenge for MedWand was integrating multiple sensors into a small, affordable device—roughly the size of a computer mouse. To achieve this, they used a range of Maxim components, including processors, sensors, power management ICs, and audio processing chips.
Healcerion – SONON Handheld Ultrasound Device
Healcerion focuses on making ultrasound technology accessible in under-resourced areas. Their battery-powered SONON device connects to a smartphone via a cloud-based image exchange system, enabling remote guidance and diagnosis. The mobile app provides high-quality ultrasound images for clinical decision-making.
During development, Healcerion needed ICs that could handle ultrasonic signal processing while maintaining small size, low power consumption, and versatility. They chose Maxim’s MAX2082 8-channel ultrasound transceiver and MAX4968B 16-channel linear high-voltage analog switch. “With Maxim’s chips, we’ve been able to create compact, portable ultrasound equipment,†said CEO Anakin Choung.
Reducing Workload and Expanding Care Capacity
According to Accenture Consulting, the U.S. will face a shortage of 31,000 primary care physicians by 2025, and healthcare costs will continue to rise. Virtual care is seen as a key solution to these challenges. By automating tasks, shifting responsibilities to patients, and using technology instead of manual labor, virtual models can expand clinical capacity without requiring more staff.
Startups like HD Medical, MedWand, and Healcerion are leading the way in virtual healthcare, helping to increase access to care while reducing costs and workload. As the industry evolves, the integration of advanced ICs will continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of medicine.
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