Another Wearables Possibility For Healthcare IT: Needle-less Blood Tests

By Megan Williams, contributing writer

The end of needle sticks for blood draws could be approaching, thanks to Palo Alto-based wearable developer, Echo Labs.

According to IT Business Edge, Echo Labs has developed a method of using wearable technology that provides real-time information through the acquisition and analysis of physiological signals. The company’s founder, Pierre-Jean Cobut has been growing his company by joining up with Stanford-affiliated incubator, StartX.

Echo Labs focuses on wearable technology that collects health data, so the launch of products like Apple Watch means a level of wearable awareness that could change the future of his company.

The Blood-Reading Wristband

Echo Labs’ prototype, according to Forbes, has been two years in the making and can measure blood gasses, pH, hydration, and blood pressure levels, all through optical signals.

It measures blood content using light and a proprietary algorithm, shining electromagnetic waves through human skin and tissue. It then measures the range of light frequencies that are reflected to determine molecular concentration in the blood. It works, because, according to Cobut, “every molecule has a light signature.”

This same concept is used in pulse oximeters in the form of LED light used to measure oxygen blood levels. The goal most companies in this niche are working toward, though, is glucose levels. This would ease not only the lives of people who suffer through, and are at risk of diabetes, but would be a huge help in tracking what patients are eating.

Echo though, believes they have solved many of the issues that previous companies have had, namely, movement and outside “noise” from environmental lights. Co-founder Elad Ferber says that their algorithm is robust enough to facilitate continuous blood composition measurement, even if a wearer is running. He also believes his team could solve the glucose problem in a few years.

The three-person team originally intended to pitch the watch to consumers, but will likely end up starting off by incorporating the technology into existing health devices

Other companies have taken on the issue though, including Abbott Diabetes Care, whose blood sugar-monitoring sensor is worn on the upper arm, and is the size of a coin, according to Silicon Angle.