Mayo Clinic To Develop Wireless Sensors To Treat Obesity
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
The program aims to be a ‘game-changer’ in reducing obesity and diabetes.
The Mayo Clinic and Gentag have announced that they will be partnering in a program to develop new biosensor technology aimed at combating obesity and diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. “We are hoping that this technology will be a game-changer. These patch biosensors may help us reduce global obesity and diabetes,” said Mayo Clinic endocrinologist and obesity researcher James Levine, M.D., Ph.D. “They are accurate, inexpensive, and can be integrated into the care people receive.”
The goal is to produce the first wearable patch sensor – the size of a bandage – that is wireless, disposable, and can remotely monitor patient movements via smartphone. This new technology would simplify tracking with greater accuracy of patients and clinical trial subjects for whom a certain level of activity is prescribed to achieve their goals.
The joint intellectual property agreement covers combination and commercialization of certain patent rights and technologies of both parties. The companies will collaborate with third parties under license to further the research into reality. Mayo Clinic and Gentag noted more than 50 issued patents and technologies are being offered for licensing.
“We are thrilled to be cooperating with the Mayo Clinic on these amazing new wireless technologies,” John P. Peeters, Ph.D., CEO of Gentag said. “We look forward to working with the medical device community to get this technology into the marketplace.”
Peeters told Med City News, “The communication chip will enable low power Body Area Networks that can read through tissue, geolocation, and long-range communication.”
Last fall, Gentag entered a strategic development agreement with Welch Allyn, allowing the medical diagnostic device company to use NFC to extend innovative solutions in medical settings for remote patient monitoring.
Gentag said the partnership will combine Mayo’s Micro-Miniature Transceiver chip with Gentag’s radar-responsive tag technology in a new type of chip that will combined NFC, Body Area Networks (BAN), and long-range wireless communication, and geolocation.