St. Jude Medical, Inc., a company providing medical device systems, announced that it has launched in its Wireless USB Adaptor for the Merlin@home™ transmitter in the United States. The wireless USB adaptor is a system that offers wireless download and secure transmission, through telephone, of important patient data from an implantable cardiac device to be revised by a physician. The new system allows patients who use a Merlin@home transmitter to transmit data to their physician via cellular phone networks, which will offer more convenient healthcare service than the existing landline services provide.
Director of electrophysiology at the Oklahoma Heart Institute in Tulsa, Okla., Dr. David Sandler, said "For patients who either prefer to use cellular technology or do not have access to a standard phone line, this product provides an alternative solution for secure data transmission," he added "The Wireless USB Adaptor offers a reliable, portable remote monitoring option for patients who frequently travel."
The Wireless USB Adaptor is a small device that plugs into new and existing Merlin@home transmitters. The transmitter is placed on the bedside table next to the patient and communicates wirelessly with the patient's device while they are sleeping. The data are then sent through the Merlin@home transmitter to the Merlin.net™ Patient Care Network (PCN). These networks organize the data for rapid analysis and easier review, and offers information to be sent directly to electronic health record (EHR) system of a clinic or hospital. Eric S. Fain, M.D., president of the St. Jude Medical Cardiac Rhythm Management Division, said "This technology improves patient care by providing an efficient remote monitoring system when the use of a landline is inconvenient or unavailable," he added "The Wireless USB Adaptor is another addition to our innovative product portfolio and demonstrates the strength of our connectivity platform."