According to CNBC, the FDA approved Apple sleep apnea feature is one of Apple’s moves to position its wearable products as simple and cheaper alternatives to existing healthcare devices.

Diagnosis Challenge

Sleep apnea affects about 30 million people across the US. However, statistics from the American Medical Association show that only 6 million of those affected have been diagnosed with the condition.

To get a diagnosis, sleep apnea patients must take home or in-lab tests that require overnight monitoring to get a diagnosis. A 2022 study showed that the average cost of an in-lab test is about $3,000. Although at-home tests may be less costly, patients would still part with hundreds of dollars.

Apple’s Series 10 Watch makes it easier for patients who have not been tested to identify signs of sleep apnea.

“We are so excited about the incredible impact this feature can make for the millions of people living with undiagnosed sleep apnea,” Apple’s VP of Health, Dr. Sumbul Desai said.

The FDA approved Apple sleep track feature will particularly be useful to patients who stay alone. Sleep apnea causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly throughout the night. When left untreated, the sleep disorder can cause fatigue and other health complications like hypertension, heart problems, and Type 2 diabetes.

Apple’s Sleep Apnea Data

Doctors say that data from Apple Watch Series 10 should be treated with caution. According to Missouri-based physician, Dr. David Kuhlmann, insurance companies are less likely to pay for sleep apnea therapies such as CPAP based on data from FDA approved Apple’s sleep apnea detection feature.

Apple Watch Series 10 users will have to get official diagnosis from healthcare providers to access therapy. This will increase the number of patients who visit healthcare providers. The visits will help to reduce the overall cost of healthcare in the US as early detection of the condition can prevent the costly treatment associated with serious conditions.

“By finding out that they have these underlying sleep disorders and getting them treated, it could potentially actually help save expenses and help improve quality of life,” Kuhlmann said.

Apple’s New Products

Apple Watch Series 10 is among the new Apple Intelligence products the tech giant launched last week. Designed to support user health, the new Watch lineup will be available starting Friday, September 20.

“Around the world, Apple Watch has had an immeasurable positive impact on people by helping them stay healthy, active, safe, and connected to the things that matter to them, and it’s helped save countless lives along the way,” Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams said.

Apple’s sleep apnea detection feature analyzes breathing during sleep and uses an accelerometer to identify disturbances. The accelerometer measures wrist movements that point to disruptions to normal breathing patterns. Apple Watches generate metrics that classify breathing as either elevated or not elevated.

Users can access their metrics on the Health app. The devices analyze breathing disturbance data once each month and notify users of consistent signs of moderate or severe sleep apnea. Apple used extensive data on clinical-grade sleep apnea tests to develop the notification algorithm used in its Watch Series 10.

The post The FDA Approved Apple’s Sleep Apnea Detection Feature appeared first on Tech Research Online.

Thrive is aimed at flagging harmful content on self-harm or suicide and keeping it from spreading on social media platforms.

Sharing Signals

Through the Mental Health Coalition partnership, Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat will share signals about violations of self-harm content with each other. This will enable the platforms to investigate and take action where the same or similar content is posted on their applications.

In a blog posted on its website, Meta acknowledged that self-harm content isn’t limited to its platforms only. Meta’s spokesperson described Thrive Mental health program as a database that’s accessible to all participating companies. Meta said that any self-harm content found on social media will be removed and flagged in the database so that other companies can take action.

“We’re prioritizing this content because of its propensity to spread across different platforms quickly. These initial signals represent content only, and will not include identifiable information about any accounts or individuals,” Meta Global Head of Safety, Antigone Davis wrote in the post.

The social media giant said it will be using its technology, alongside the Lantern program to share harmful data securely on the Thrive platform. Lantern program is a Tech Coalition platform designed to make technology safe for children. It includes tech giants like Google, Apple, OpenAI, and Discord.

Legal Actions

For a long time, Snapchat, Meta, TikTok, and other social media platforms have been criticized for not taking sufficient action to moderate the content that teens consume online. This includes images and videos of self-harm.

Previously, parents and communities have taken legal action against the three platforms that are now partnering under the Thrive Mental Wellbeing program for allowing content that led to suicides. In 2021, internal research that leaked to the public revealed that Meta knew its Instagram platform could have harmful impacts on teenage girls.

Studies have suggested that teens who self-harm are active on social media. They have also shown that increased use of social media by minors has led to increased suicidal ideation and depression among those groups.

A Welcome Move

Meta’s mental health initiative has been welcomed by tech safety advocates. Acknowledging the good intentions of Thrive, technology watchdogs say the program appears to be a safety measure that companies take when they’re pressured by advocates and lawmakers.

“We are glad to see these companies working together to remove the types of content associated with self-harm and suicide. Without proper regulatory guardrails, the jury is out on whether this will have a significant impact on the harms that kids and teens are facing online,” Chief Advocacy Officer at Common Sense Media, Daniel Weiss said.

Earlier this year, Meta announced that it would be removing and limiting sensitive and inappropriate content from teenagers’ feeds. The social media giant also said it was planning to hide terms and search results relating to eating disorders, suicide, and self-harm from all users.

On Thursday, September 12, Meta reported that it pulled down 12 million content pieces featuring self-harm and suicide from Instagram and Facebook between April and June 2024. The company hopes that Thrive will help keep graphic content off the three social platforms that are participating in the programs.

The post Meta’s Thrive Mental Health Initiative to Fight Self-Harm Content appeared first on Tech Research Online.

Imidex is an AI-powered medical device firm that specializes in early lung cancer detection while Orbit Genomics is a DNA-sequencing technology company.

Precision in Detection

Imidex developed the FDA-approved VisiRad XR device. The device utilizes AI and is capable of detecting tiny lung nodules in chest X-rays. This procedure is much more scalable than the CT scans that high-risk individuals are asked to take.

According to Imidex, the VisiRad XR has an 83% sensitivity rate. The company holds that its platform can facilitate identification of suspicious masses in a wide population and refer more individuals to follow-up tests.

Orbit Genomics uses the OrbiSeq-L to diagnose lung cancer in patients who have pulmonary nodules detected through low-dose CT. The company plans to commence clinical trials on OrbiSeq-L

“By leveraging chest X-ray, we have the ability to opportunistically identify millions more patients with pulmonary nodules that are unwilling or not qualified to get a low-dose radiation CT scan,” Imidex CEO, Wes Bolsen said

Building Synergy

The Imidex Orbit Genomics partnership will allow the two tech companies to leverage the strength of their equipment to facilitate early cancer detection. The two companies plan to use Imidex’s VisiRad XR to identify lung nodules in patients. The results will be passed on to Orbit for testing of identified lung nodules with the help of OrbiSeq-L.

“Imidex’s technology is the top of the lung cancer identification funnel, utilizing chest X-rays rather than CT scans to detect potential cancer patients who might otherwise go undiagnosed. Orbit Genomics can then immediately test those identified lung nodule patients with OrbiSeq-L, providing highly specific insights from a simple blood sample into their condition and directing them to the most effective forms of care,” Orbit Genomics President, Dede Willis said in a statement.

Besides cancer detection, the OrbiSeq technology can be used to detect a wide range of diseases including neurological disorders and heart conditions.

Emerging Trend

The Imidex Orbit partnership to detect early lung cancer isn’t the first for the two companies. In July this year, Imidex collaborated with Spesana to monitor the impact of AI in boosting mass and lung nodule detection. The two companies are focused on quantifying downstream detection rates for lung cancer.

The companies are also working towards identifying high-risk patients for clinical trials. They do this through screening and evaluation of potential application of liquid biopsies that result from nodule detection.

Early this month, Orbit Genomics completed the CancerX Accelerator Program that’s focused on digital innovation and cancer intersection. Initiated by the US Department of Health and Human services, CancerX is focused on enhancing cancer innovation in the country.

The program involved hands-on learning and months of mentorship at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Related Articles: How Revolutionary AI Model Detects Underlying Heart Attacks Risks

The post Orbit Genomics, Imidex Technologies Enable Early Lung Cancer Detection appeared first on Tech Research Online.

People who do not have these conditions can buy the monitors without a prescription. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are tiny sensors that poke through the skin and measure glucose levels in real time.

Non-Prescription Product

Stelo comes with a wearable sensor that pairs with an app in the user’s smart device to continuously monitor glucose levels. For diabetes patients, the sensors help in alerting users, their doctors, and loved ones to emergencies.

“We’re excited to empower people to have access to their glucose readings. We know studies have been done time and time again- giving people continuous glucose monitors helps improve their time in range, their A1c, and their sense of well-being living with diabetes. We expect the same improvements with this product that we’ve had with the G series products,” Dexcom Head of Clinical Advocacy and Outcomes, Thomas Grace said.

According to a statement by Dexcom, 125 million people who have Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes don’t use insulin. Stelo glucose sensor is designed to educate this population how to maintain a healthy range of glucose.

“The idea is to help people, over time, learn about diet choices and habits, and how those are impacting glucose. It’s about uncovering things you haven’t seen before and then using that to create healthier habits,” Jake Leach, Dexcom’s Chief Operating Officer said.

Dexcom already offers glucose monitors for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients on a prescription basis. However, Stelo is the first monitor that patients can access without a prescription.

FDA Approval

Stelo is the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor to receive the US Food and Drug Administration nod. The agency cleared it for use in March this year. In June, the FDA cleared two similar devices for Dexcom’s rival, Abbott Laboratories.

The continuous glucose monitors, Libre Rio and Lingo are designed for adults with and without diabetes respectively. Abbott’s FDA-approved Lingo CGMs were to be launched in the US this summer.

Stelo informs users of noteworthy glucose spikes. According to Dexcom, this intentional design is meant to raise alerts on larger swings that patients experience.

“Even for someone who has normal glucose and the occasional spike, it’ll look for the most impactful spikes and then try to engage the user around, ‘OK, what happened there?” Leach said.

Users who wish to understand the cause of glucose spikes can explore educational content available on the Stelo app’s ‘Learn’ sections.

Highly Accessible

Users have the option of buying monthly supplies of Dexcom over-the-counter continuous glucose sensors online at $99. Alternatively, they can sign up for monthly subscriptions at $89 per month. Patients have the option of using health savings accounts and spending accounts to pay for Stelo.

Most Type 1 patients can get insurance coverage for glucose monitors. However, millions of Type 2 patients who lack prescription or coverage now have access to Stelo. This allows Dexcom to expand its reach in the lucrative prediabetes market.

Dexcom has partnered with Amazon to fulfill Stelo orders. Monthly subscribers can opt to adjust or skip delivery dates. However, deliveries will be scheduled in 30-day intervals from the date of initial sign-up.

The post Dexcom Makes Glucose Monitors Available Over-the-Counter appeared first on Tech Research Online.

Unveiling of Two Products

The Sonova AI hearing aid is the first of its kind in the world. The launch of the new product, which is marketed as Sphere Infinio, increased Sonova’s share prices by 5%. Besides the hearing aid product, Sonova also launched a new Infinio platform.

“The launch of both the new platform and product should be a surprise to the market, because nobody knew this technology and this benefit (real-time AI), which is quite significant, will be available for anyone already this year,” CEO Arnd Kaldowski said.

Research Partners AG analyst, Urs Kunz said the launch was a big step for Sonova.

High Processing Power

Sonova’s real time AI hearing aid is powered by DEEPSONIC chip technology. This new technology’s processing power is 53 times more than what is used in the hearing aid industry currently.

The company sees its Sonova hearing aid and its Lumity platform as important growth drivers of its hearing products business. This business contributes about 50% of its total sales.

Annual Profit Targets

Sonova has managed to stick to its full year profit targets as rivals such as Amplifon of Italy, GN Store Nord, and Demant of Denmark released profit warnings this summer.

“Our first impression is that Sonova has launched an interesting product platform, which is likely to accelerate growth in H2 2024/25,” Niels Granholm-Leth, a Carnegie Analyst said.

European and American markets are showing signs of soft dynamics for the hearing aid industry. But market analysts have highlighted tough competition as the market evolves.

“We will need to see how the market evolves and the customer reaction to the products. But we are good with our full year guidance even with the currently somewhat slower market,” Kaldowski said.

Earlier this year, Sonova said that it expected the launch of its hearing aid with real time AI product to boost sales revenue and grow its profits in the second half of the year.

The post Sonova Unveils AI Hearing Aid with High Processing Power appeared first on Tech Research Online.

The app also offers ADHD patients in-app treatment tools. The app is the brainchild of Dom Longford, the founder of Cog ADHD. Longford founded the platform after struggling with the condition. His breakthrough with ADHD came after one doctor suggested a new treatment approach.

Modular Treatment

The Cog ADHD lifeline app was developed by scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Its framework provides for treatment through five modules.

Each module in the treatment plan aligns with the skills that address a major ADHD impairment, These skills range from handling procrastination to coping with distractions,

Results from the ADHD lifeline app trials showed a significant reduction of symptoms among patients. Longford shared improvements from his personal experience.

“Suddenly, everything started to make sense. I wasn’t lazy, clumsy, or a failure; I just couldn’t regulate my attention like 95% of the population. I stopped hating myself,” he said.

A Comprehensive Toolkit

The improvements Longford experienced encouraged him to turn the framework into an application that he refers to as a comprehensive toolkit.

Combined with a portal for vetted clinicians, the app provides a range of services to users. These include self-help strategies, symptom analytics, and educational resources.

The Cog ADHD app launch comes at a time when demand for ADHD services is escalating in the UK. The waiting time for ADHD diagnosis can reach eight years.

Earlier this year, a think tank termed the current ADHD model as obsolete even as the NHS feels overwhelmed by the growing service needs.

ADHD Support

The public healthcare system is struggling to meet the demand for ADHD services. People are seeking alternative support from tech. According to Longford, tech offers a range of solutions to ADHD patients.

These include noise-canceling headphones, text-to-speed software, productivity apps, and now a Cog ADHD app. But by itself, tech cannot address the challenges at hand. Structural changes are required to make the ADHD care more efficient.

“That doesn’t just mean throwing more resources at the situation but being more innovative around how we support people with ADHD. We particularly encourage information and tools to enable people to tweak their lifestyle habits to keep ADHD symptoms as low as possible. By knowing what triggers ADHD, the public can start to make effective changes,” he added.

Providing quality support could benefit everyone. Mandatory teacher training on ADHD and the provision of resources in schools would also be critical.

The post How UK’s Cog Lifeline App Boosts Treatment Access for ADHD Patients appeared first on Tech Research Online.

The UK’s NHS is backing a pilot project across five hospitals in Milton Keynes, Oxford, Liverpool, Leicester, and Wolverhampton. A decision on whether the technology will be adopted by the NHS is expected in the coming months.

Transformative Technology

The AI model was developed by Oxford University’s spin off company, Caristo Diagnostics. It’s capable of detecting heart inflammation that CT scans don’t detect. Caristo Diagnostics says its team is working to adapt the AI to diabetes and stroke prevention.

“This technology is transformative and game changing because, for the first time, we can detect the biological processes that are invisible to the human eye, which precedes the development of narrowings and blockages [within the heart],” Oxford University’s Prof. Keith Channon said.

During the pilot phase, Caristo Diagnostics analyzed CT scans from patients who experience chest pains and are referred for routine scans using its CaRi-Heart AI platform.

An algorithm that detects coronary plaque and inflammation is assessed by professional operations to ensure accuracy.

High Risk

Research shows that inflammation raises the risk of fatal heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), an estimated 7.6 million people in the U.K. suffer from heart disease. An estimated 350,000 patients are referred for cardiac CT scan annually. Government statistics show that the NHS spends about $9.5 billion (£7.4 billion) annually on heart disease patients.

An ORFAN study that focused on inflammatory risk factors involving 40,000 patients found that 80% of people were referred back to primary care without a clear treatment or prevention plan. Researchers in this study reported that patients who developed inflammation in coronary arteries had a high hidden heart attack risk and were 20 to 30 times more likely to die from cardiac disease in the next 10 years.

The study also found that AI technology helped 42% of these patients. The technology reduced AI heart attack risk by motivating patients to make lifestyle changes or prescribing meditation.

Reality Check

One patient, Ian Pickard, from Leicestershire experienced persistent chest pains. Pickard, 58, was sent for a CT scan in 2023 and participated in the ORFAN study. After undergoing AI analysis, results suggested that he was at a high risk of suffering a heart attack.

Pickard was asked to quit smoking and increase physical activity. He also got a prescription for statins.

“It’s a huge wake-up call. And when you see it on paper, you realize how serious it is. It’s something you can look at each day and think, ‘I’ve got to do something about this“, Pickard said.

Early Detection

According to the ORFAN study lead researcher, Prof. Charalambos Antoniades, the tools that have been available to date only assess general patient risks. The new AI heart attack tool changes this.

“With this kind of AI technology, we know exactly which patient had the disease activity in their arteries before the disease even developed. This means we can move early to end the disease process and treat this patient to prevent the disease from developing and then prevent heart attacks from happening.”

Currently, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is assessing the AI model to see whether it should be applied throughout NHS facilities. The technology has been approved in Australia and Europe. It is also being reviewed in the US.

The post How Revolutionary AI Model Detects Underlying Heart Attacks Risks appeared first on Tech Research Online.

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HealthCare IT News reported that the companies will develop speech-to-technology that can upload excerpts of EHR-agnostic files and take healthcare provider notes.

Need for SaaS Tools

The department needs SaaS tools to generate notes and translate clinical encounters to integrate with electronic health records. The Abridge and Nuance AI contract will allow doctors to add visit information without having to copy and paste it manually.

The VA has made significant progress in mobile and cloud computing. This progress gives more veterans access to their patient and benefit information. The agency is transitioning to a new method of delivering software that creates inferences based on complex mathematics and large models.

“This paradigm is quite different. I think all of the techniques we’ve used to get to this point we’re going to have to rethink because all of those techniques are necessarily applicable to a world where we’re generating inferences and using those inferences to deliver outcomes,” VA Chief Technology Officer and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Charles Worthington said.

Competitive Process

Launched in 2023, the AI Tech Sprint Initiative supports AI contracts to reduce burnout through development of ambient dictation solutions for clinical encounters. The Initiative also supports advanced document-processing systems for its Community Care Program.

The VA seeks high fidelity, traceable records provider solutions from platforms that can interoperate with its health system to address provider needs. The AI Tech Sprint challenge also seeks to incorporate advanced software features, including SNOMED CT codes and LOINC codes to medical records.

This year’s challenge was rigorous and highly competitive. It attracted 150 teams, out of which 25 were finalists.

AI-Based Documentation

Generative AI is attractive to healthcare providers because it simplifies difficult, manual processes.

“AI solutions can help us reduce the time that clinicians spend on non-clinical work, which will get our teams doing more of what they love most: caring for Veterans. This effort will reduce burnout among our clinicians and improve veteran healthcare at the same time,” VA undersecretary for health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal said.

One of the contract awardees, Abridge is looking to simplify patient-doctor interactions with its solution.

“We could all but eliminate the administrative load that has eroded the quality of doctor-patient conversations and has famously broken the spirit of many clinicians,” Abridge CEO and Practicing Cardiologist, Dr. Shiv Rao said.

Last year, Nuance Communications used generativeAI to develop advanced ambient documentation products.

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