This matchup in Wearables Sweet Sixteen pits two health IT companies using textile embedded sensors, both aimed at spotting major medical conditions earlier. First Warning System’s sensors are embedded into a bra to pick up metabolic changes associated with tumor formation. Heapsylon, which developed a “smart sock” to give runners insight on their technique such as stride cadence, has developed a prototype for healthcare applications. One of the most compelling applications is for detection of diabetic foot ulcers — a condition that can result in amputation if unchecked.
Healthcare disruptors have been looking for ways to use medtech to cut healthcare costs by reducing unnecessary biopsies. First Warning Systems’ BSE bra has the potential for big disruption in breast cancer detection and has been under development for some time. The sensors pick up thermodynamic metabolic data, which is analyzed for irregular patterns in cell behavior that indicate disturbance in circadian rhythm. CEO Rob Royea sees it as a way to reduce the false positives from mammographies that trigger biopsies, particularly in women under 40 and with dense breast tissue. It has planned a clinical validation trial in the second half of the year.
A prototype of Heapsylon’s smart sock is being applied to medical needs, particularly to detect diabetes complications earlier. Since the sensors in the sock can wirelessly transmit data to a mobile device, it’s evaluating the technology for remote monitoring of patients with peripheral neuropathy and to detect early onset of diabetic foot ulcers which resulted in 65,700 amputations in 2006. It’s also evaluating the technology to improve the socket fitting process for prosthetics.
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
Winner: First Warnings
Why? This is a really tough call and went into overtime. First Warning’s bra sensor appears to be further along in its development than Heapsylon’s sock technology. Although the diabetic patient population of 26 million combined with the potential of Heapsylon’s technology to reduce healthcare costs is compelling, the idea that tumors could be detected earlier offers equally compelling reasons for investment.
