BENEFITS OF DEVICES APPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE SKIN
- They would streamline the entire process as we know it, from providing devices to patients, to potentially transferring data, to communicating treatment. In an ideal scenario, doctors would receive the data electronically in real time and could message the patient with treatment instructions.
- Devices would be innocuous — no more uncomfortable straps or wires that can limit range of motion.
- Set it and forget it. The devices could be applied in the hospital or doctor’s office and stay in place for several days. No more need for patients to remember to put them on.
The development of such tiny devices also holds promise for the consumer market, so long as the technology continues to improve, and the price becomes more affordable. Time will tell. In the meantime, the value proposition for health care providers is that patients don’t have to remember every day to apply a device. Rather, they can wear a device for multiple days, thereby ensuring multiple days-worth of data.
The primary challenge lies in finding an adhesive that is aggressive enough for long-term wear while also offering pain-free removal. Successful application to damp skin and breathability are also important factors.