Wireless technology already helps us with everyday tasks like changing TV channels, making phone calls and surfing the web. Before long, it will help people stay alive, too.
Endotronix Inc. is developing a system that enables doctors to monitor a patient's status remotely and therefore, be able to intervene quicker when life-saving action must be taken due to conditions such as hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysms and congestive heart failure.
The system uses miniaturized wireless and implantable pressure sensors licensed from Cleveland's
NASA Glenn Research Center in 2008.
The pressure sensors implanted in the patient's body collect valuable data that is sent to a hand-held or wearable device. That device wirelessly transmits the data to the doctor.
The company, which has facilities in Cleveland and Peoria, Ill., got $250,000 from
JumpStart Ventures of Cleveland last month.
"We're excited about it," says Michael Lang, of JumpStart, citing the technology's ability to save time and money and extend life.
Endotronix also is a portfolio company of
The Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise, a project of the Lorain County Commissioners, Lorain County Community College, and the Ohio Department of Development; and reportedly has gotten $400,000 from a group in Illinois, too.
Source: Michael Lang, JumpStart
Writer: Gabriella Jacobs