Smartphones Measure Brain Waves

A new mobile phone app and accessory will let users measure their brain waves and gain insight into their own health and well-being, as medical apps continue to bring care directly to the patient.

The new Mobile Brain Wave Measurement system, developed by KDDI, consists of an app and a band that is wrapped around the head with an embedded NeuroSky sensor and Bluetooth module. When the sensor contacts with the user's forehead, the device is able to measure feeble current changes.

According to information from the Japanese-based company, the sensor registers three kinds of applications, including 'droid touch,' which determines the user's physical condition based on the user's concentration, 'brain sound,' which converts the brain waves into sounds, and finally 'psychology view,' which measures brain vitality.

The product was showcased at the International Modern Hospital Show last month in Tokyo and reportedly helps maintain good health by measuring brain waves to check physical conditions.

The brain wave device and app join an exploding mobile market where consumers may find an app or device to check on nearly every bodily function. From measuring glucose levels, to checking out suspicious skin moles, to even determining the calories contained in a meal for weight management, there is an app for nearly everything health-related.

But the rise in mobile medical innovation, especially apps, is raising public concern and getting the Food and Drug Administration's attention as well. This spring the agency announced it would draft guidelines to approve mobile health apps. In the future, mobile apps' safety and efficacy may be tested, especially as U.S. consumers increasingly rely on medical apps to coordinate overall healthcare.

The Japanese company backing the Brain Wave App, which acquired Kyocera DDI in 2001, presented prototypes of the apps at the show, and expects to commercialize the system later this year.

Smartphones Measure Brain Waves originally appeared at Mobiledia on Fri Jul 15, 2011 1:21 pm.