image: The US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent for LGTmedical's pulse oximetry technology based on the Kenek Core proprietary audio waveform platform. This innovation transforms smartphones and tablets into clinically accurate medical devices by connecting simple, inexpensive sensors to the mobile device's audio port. view more
Credit: LionsGate Technologies, Inc. (LGTmedical)
LionsGate Technologies, Inc. (LGTmedical), a privately-held medical device company, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a patent for its pulse oximetry technology based on the Kenek Core™ proprietary audio waveform platform. This innovation transforms smartphones and tablets into clinically accurate medical devices by connecting simple, inexpensive sensors to the mobile device's audio port.
"This patent recognizes the uniqueness of LGTmedical's innovative connectivity platform. Their technology easily connects standard medical sensors to mobile devices, transforming smartphones into life-saving medical devices previously only found in hospitals or clinics," said Dr. Richard Melker, Chief Technology Officer of Xhale, Inc., Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology at the University of Florida, and holder of over 50 issued U.S. and numerous foreign patents including several for emergency medical devices in use throughout the world.
By replacing bulky and expensive medical device hardware with low-cost mobile devices and software, mobile technology could be a game changer in healthcare around the world by taking vital signs monitoring out of the hospital and into the home.
"Given its ability to connect medical devices to smartphones and tablets, Kenek Core has the potential to save thousands of lives - a doctor-in-the-pocket at home and abroad," said Dr. Peter von Dadelszen, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia and world authority on pre-eclampsia whose research is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"For years, my team has been working on an easy and accurate means for community health workers to diagnose pre-eclampsia, one of the three leading causes of maternal mortality. Our research indicated that low oxygen levels are one of the key indicators of this condition, but we had no cost-effective way of testing this on a global scale," he added. "LGTmedical's low-cost but sophisticated pulse oximeter enables us to accurately measure and record vital signs in our current study involving 20,000 pregnant women in Pakistan and Mozambique."
The patent "Systems and Methods for Determining Physiological Characteristics of a Patient Using Pulse Oximetry" (No. 8,958,859) was authored by LGTmedical's CMO Dr. Mark Ansermino, Christian L. Petersen, PhD, and Guy Dumont, PhD.
"The patent recognizes the world-class innovation behind this deceptively simple interface. Because the sensor is driven entirely by the smartphone or tablet, no batteries, processors, or wireless configuration are required. What that means is our products are accessible and easy-to-use by anyone, anywhere," said Tom Walker, President and CEO of LGTmedical.
"This audio-based interface also dramatically lowers the cost of vital signs monitoring so accurate medical devices can be purchased by healthcare professionals and consumers for a fraction of the price of current devices," added Walker. "Manufacturers can also use our connectivity platform to cost-effectively incorporate the most innovative and powerful sensor technology available today into their products."
LGTmedical's Kenek Edge™ pulse oximeter for sports and recreational use was made available for purchase in both Canada and the U.S. in 2014.
The company also announced today that its flagship medical device, the Kenek O2™ pulse oximeter, has been issued a Health Canada Class II Medical Device Licence for individuals and healthcare professionals to check blood oxygen level (SpO2) and heart rate. The Kenek O2 pulse oximeter is available in Canada with U.S. availability anticipated in Q3 2015. http://www.lgtmedical.com/keneko2
A mobile blood pressure monitor and thermometer based on Kenek Core technology are targeted for release in the U.S. and Canada in 2015. These app-devices will be compatible with select iOS and Android mobile devices.
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About LionsGate Technologies, Inc. (LGTmedical)
LGTmedical has leveraged the synergies of award-winning interdisciplinary research at BC Children's Hospital, the Child & Family Research Institute, and the University of British Columbia's Electrical and Computer Engineering in Medicine group; support from foundations led by Grand Challenges Canada (funded by the Government of Canada); and business expertise to establish the innovative core technologies, infrastructure, and partnerships and become a leading mHealth company. LGTmedical is focused on product and channel development to achieve the most scalable and clinically impactful mobile health solutions. The company is ISO 13485:2003 certified. More information is available at http://www.lgtmedical.com
Kenek, Kenek O2, Kenek Edge, and Kenek Core are trademarks of LionsGate Technologies, Inc.