The researchers reviewed data from over 160,000 participants who answered survey questions and completed app-based assessments to characterize their experience of tinnitus. The aim of this research is to improve understanding of tinnitus characteristics and inform future research on potential treatments.

Roughly 15 percent of our participants experience tinnitus daily,” said Rick Neitzel, the University of Michigan School of Public Health’s professor of environmental health sciences. “The trends that we’re learning through the Apple Hearing Study about people’s experience with tinnitus can help us better understand the groups most at risk, which can in turn help guide efforts to reduce the impacts associated with it.

The study found that 77.6 percent of participants have experienced tinnitus in their lives, with the prevalence of daily tinnitus increasing with age among many. Those ages 55 and up were 3x more likely to hear tinnitus daily compared to those 18-34 years old. Additionally, 2.7 percent more male participants reported experiencing daily tinnitus compared to females.

In terms of management, participants reported mainly trying three methods to ease their existing tinnitus: using noise machines (28 percent), listening to nature sounds (23.7 percent), and practicing meditation (12.2 percent). Less than 2.1 percent of participants chose cognitive and behavioral therapy to manage their tinnitus.

This study is a significant step towards advancing understanding of tinnitus, its potential causes, and the methods for managing tinnitus and their perceived effectiveness. The insights gained from this study will aid current scientific knowledge and ultimately improve the management of tinnitus.

SOURCE: apple.com

The FDA has recognized the Apple Atrial Fibrillation History Feature, a non-intrusive method for assessing AFib load estimates, as a biomarker test now qualified for use as a secondary efficacy endpoint in clinical trials. AFib is an irregular heartbeat condition where the heart’s upper chambers fail to synchronize with the lower ones. It affects around 2% of people under the age of 65 and 9% of those who are older. 

Apple’s software uses artificial intelligence to regularly check heart rhythms for signs of AFib and provides an estimate of how often a patient’s heart is beating irregularly while wearing an Apple Watch.

The MDDT certification encompasses its application in research aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of cardiac ablation instruments utilized for AFib treatment. However, it could also apply to other studies where there is a need to provide an estimate of how long people have AFib over time.

In a 400,000-subject study of the Apple Watch’s ability to detect irregular heart rhythms that may signal AFib, it was found that 34% of individuals who received a notification of arrhythmia were later found to have AFib using an ECG, with a positive predictive value for the AI of 84%.

This advancement signifies a major leap in the application of wearable devices for health surveillance, and it holds the potential to preserve lives by enabling the early identification of cardiac disorders. The detection feature was approved by the FDA in 2022, and the history feature covered by the MDDT qualification is set to be released in the fall of 2022.

HapSense: wearable skin sensor

HapSense emerges as a patent-pending wearable skin sensor that aims to streamline the analysis of skincare and cosmetic products. Developed through a collaborative effort between the P&G Singapore Innovation Centre, NTU Singapore, and the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), HapSense sets out to deliver precise, objective, and quantifiable measurements of tactile sensations. By doing so, it effectively eliminates the guesswork often associated with skincare product development, offering invaluable insights for formulators seeking to create products that resonate with consumers.

Resembling a sleek signet ring, HapSense is comfortably worn on the fingertip, making it both convenient and unobtrusive. Its primary function lies in capturing data on friction and pressure in near real-time, allowing scientists and researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the effects various skincare products exert on the skin. What sets HapSense apart is its remarkable efficiency, speeding up product analysis by up to 10 times when compared to traditional skin-testing panels. Furthermore, its cost-effectiveness ensures accessibility, offering a viable alternative to conventional methods that often come with hefty price tags.

While HapSense finds its initial application in skincare and cosmetics, its versatility transcends boundaries, finding relevance across diverse industries.

• Textile and Fabric Care: Manufacturers can leverage HapSense to enhance the quality and sensory experience of fabrics, catering to consumers’ growing demand for comfort and luxury.
• Hair Care: Precise measurements of tactile sensations facilitated by HapSense hold the potential to revolutionize hair care product development, ensuring optimal performance and user satisfaction.
• Baby Care and Feminine Care: In sensitive areas such as baby care and feminine hygiene, HapSense plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and comfort, underscoring its significance in promoting overall well-being.

Ring-type sensor from NTU Singapore

NTU Singapore introduces a ring-type sensor, offering a parallel solution for measuring skin feel. Worn on the fingertip akin to HapSense, this innovative device captures data on friction and pressure, providing precise, objective, and quantifiable measurements of tactile sensation. Its development represents a significant stride towards enhancing skincare product analysis, offering researchers a powerful tool to unravel the intricacies of product efficacy and user experience.

The ring-type sensor from NTU Singapore brings forth a host of advantages, including:

• Accelerated Analysis: With the capability to expedite skincare product analysis by up to 10 times, the ring-type sensor streamlines the research and development process, enabling faster iterations and improvements.
• AI-Driven Insights: By harnessing multi-year data on product effects, the ring-type sensor facilitates AI-driven big data analysis, unlocking valuable insights that pave the way for personalized skincare regimes tailored to individual needs and preferences.

Beyond its primary application in skincare, the ring-type sensor holds promise across a spectrum of industries, including baby care, feminine hygiene, and more. Its versatility underscores its potential to revolutionize product development and enhance user experiences across various domains.

Market Snapshot: Verily and L’Oréal

In a testament to the growing convergence of technology and skincare, Alphabet’s Verily partners with L’Oréal to delve deeper into dermatological health. Leveraging AI and sensor technologies, this collaboration seeks to develop digital tools for skincare, further cementing the significance of technological innovation in reshaping the skincare landscape.

In summary, HapSense and the ring-type sensor represent a paradigm shift in skincare product analysis, heralding a new era of precision and efficiency. These wearable devices not only empower scientists and researchers but also hold the potential to transform the way skincare products are developed, marketed, and experienced. As the skincare industry continues to evolve, embracing technological innovations such as HapSense and the ring-type sensor will be paramount to driving progress and meeting the ever-evolving needs of consumers worldwide.

Digital health has emerged as a critical component in reshaping healthcare systems across the 53 countries in the WHO European Region. The report highlights the various ways countries are leveraging digital health technologies, such as telehealth, mobile health, and Big Data, to enhance the delivery and accessibility of healthcare services.

The country profiles included in the report shed light on specific digital health initiatives implemented by member states. These profiles provide valuable information on the digital health components and strategies adopted at a national level. With the integration of digital health, countries are striving to improve healthcare outcomes, increase efficiency, and empower patients to manage their health.

The landscape of digital health varies across the region, with each country implementing its own approaches and solutions. Some countries have made significant progress in leveraging digital technologies to transform their healthcare systems, while others are still in the early stages of adoption. The report aims to showcase best practices and facilitate knowledge sharing among member states.

By exploring the digital health landscape, the WHO aims to support countries in their efforts to harness the potential of digital health. The integration of digital technologies has the potential to improve healthcare delivery, reduce costs, and enhance patient experiences throughout the European region. The report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders invested in digital health.

Please note that additional information and specific country-level details can be found in the full report.

Novel approach: Foresight

In response to this challenge, a groundbreaking model named Foresight has been developed, integrating both structured and unstructured data within EHRs to forecast disorders and biomedical concepts. Unlike previous models limited by specific outcomes and timeframes, Foresight offers a versatile approach capable of predicting a wide range of medical events and concepts. Inspired by GPT-3, Foresight is trained to implicitly understand various tasks within healthcare, including risk forecasting, differential diagnoses, and suggesting treatments.

Read the full issue on this novel approach on The Lancet Digital Health

Methods

The Foresight pipeline comprises four main components: data retrieval and preprocessing, structuring free-text information, deep-learning modeling, and a user-friendly web application. Leveraging data from multiple hospitals, including King’s College Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and the US Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III, Foresight was trained and tested across diverse patient populations and healthcare settings.

Results

Foresight demonstrated exceptional performance in extracting biomedical concepts from clinical text, achieving high precision and recall rates. Evaluation on test datasets showcased its ability to forecast disorders with significant accuracy, outperforming previous models. Additionally, qualitative analysis involving clinicians confirmed the relevance and clinical utility of Foresight’s predictions.

The introduction of Foresight represents a paradigm shift in healthcare forecasting, offering a scalable and comprehensive approach applicable across mental and physical health domains. Its generative nature enables the simulation of patient trajectories, facilitating research into treatment outcomes and decision-making processes. While promising, Foresight’s adoption for clinical decision support requires further validation and refinement to ensure alignment with contemporary medical guidelines and practices.

In conclusion, Foresight heralds a new era in healthcare forecasting, leveraging the power of deep learning to harness the wealth of information contained within EHRs. With its potential applications spanning education, research, and clinical practice, Foresight promises to revolutionize patient care and outcomes in the digital age. As advancements continue, foresight holds the key to unlocking deeper insights into disease progression, treatment efficacy, and personalized medicine.

BETHESDA, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CorVista Health, Inc., a leading digital health company dedicated to improving cardiovascular disease diagnosis, will present new data exploring the potential of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Rule-out Test for Heart Failure using Machine Learning at the American College of Cardiology 73^rd Annual Scientific Session and Exposition in Atlanta, GA on April 7.

The CorVista System is the world’s first non-invasive point-of-care solution for evaluating the presence of coronary artery disease and pulmonary hypertension. The developmental model to be presented, intended to assess left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), exhibits the potential to serve as an effective rule-out test, with a sensitivity of 92% (≥25 mmHg) and 86% (≥20 mmHg) and specificity of 68% (TTE group), with a negative predictive value of 99.5% (≥25 mmHg) and 99.1% (≥20 mmHg), at a disease prevalence of 4%.

Timely identification of left ventricular dysfunction plays a pivotal role in effective heart failure management, however, measuring elevated LVEDP currently relies on invasive left heart catheterization. While echocardiographic indices can be used to indicate potential diastolic dysfunction, they pose challenges in data collection and interpretation, creating a need for a non-invasive, point-of-care method to identify patients with elevated LVEDP.

“This data exemplifies CorVista Health’s commitment to advancing novel machine learned diagnostic solutions to identify patients with CAD (coronary artery disease), PH (pulmonary hypertension) (both now FDA-cleared) and elevated LVEDP at point of care.” Both PH and elevated LVEDP, particularly when due to Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), are vastly underrecognized and underdiagnosed often delaying life-saving treatments” said Charles Bridges, M.D. Sc.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, CorVista Health. “We believe the CorVista System can uniquely and effectively address these important unmet needs for people living with cardiovascular disease, especially in rural and underserved populations.”

About CorVista® System

CorVista System is an Rx only, non-invasive point-of-care solution that is intended to synchronously collect and apply machine learning to a symptomatic patient’s cardiac and hemodynamic signals to predict the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases without the use of radiation, contrast agents, injections, fasting, or exercise. Within minutes of the test, the CorVista® Analysis is available in a secure web portal to aid physicians in rapidly diagnosing and treating patients with suspected cardiovascular disease, answering important clinical questions to guide better treatment decisions. The CorVista System with CAD and PH Add-Ons has been cleared by FDA to market within the US. CorVista System is developed and manufactured by Analytics For Life, Inc. and licensed to CorVista Health, Inc.

About CorVista Health

CorVista Health, Inc. is applying machine learning to deliver novel cardiac disease detection algorithms using the proprietary CorVista System platform to transform cardiovascular care and the patient experience. CorVista Health is dedicated to enabling more equitable care by providing access to immediately actionable, high-quality cardiovascular status results in low-resource settings where access to capital-intensive equipment and the qualified specialists needed to operate them may not be available. In this way, the CorVista System is uniquely positioned to advance the quality of care in rural and low-resource settings.

For more information, visit: www.corvista.com

Contacts

Grant Smith
Phone: (317) 518-9807
info@analytics4life.com

Neurable is at the forefront of developing brain-computer interface (BCI) technology that utilizes Electroencephalogram (EEG) activity to create an intelligent layer between the brain and computers. Powered by patented signal processing developed at the University of Michigan with over a decade of research, the Neurable AI Brain operating system platform enables high-performance brain-computer interfaces in everyday devices.

The company’s expertise in measuring brain wave activity is expected to drive the expansion of the well-being and healthcare markets. Neurable leverages neuroscience knowledge and an abundance of research data to develop AI-based algorithms for extracting and analyzing EEG data, providing a non-invasive BCI technology that holds immense potential for revolutionizing the field of precision health and longevity.

The collaboration between Neurable and Healthspan Digital Inc. is set to introduce Neurable’s technology to the global precision health and longevity clinics, starting in Dubai, UAE. This innovative technology will provide clinics with advanced tools for assessing brain health (BrainSpan), optimizing cognitive performance, and enhancing overall well-being.

“I am incredibly excited about the potential impact of our collaboration with Neurable Inc. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our mission to empower our Healthspan programs with advanced brain health tools, ultimately enhancing human performance and well-being,” said Fady Hannah-Shmouni, MD FRCPC, Founder and CEO of Healthspan Digital Inc., and academic endocrinologist and geneticist at the University of British Columbia. “By integrating Neurable’s BCI technology into precision health and longevity solutions, clinics will be equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities to monitor and improve brain health, ultimately contributing to the advancement of human performance and longevity.”

“Body longevity is incomplete without brain longevity,” commented Deena Al Jassasi, Director of Human Performance and Brain Health of Lifespan Clinic. “With Neurable’s technology, we now have the ability to track and monitor the most vital organ in the human body at scale. Combined with full-body biomarkers from Healthspan Digital, the possibilities for enhancing human well-being are limitless.”

Dr. Ramses Alcaide, CEO of Neurable, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Healthspan Digital Inc. to bring our advanced brain health tools to precision health and longevity clinics. Our vision is to empower individuals to achieve their full potential by optimizing brain health and performance, and this collaboration marks a significant step towards realizing that vision.”

The partnership between Neurable Inc. and Healthspan Digital Inc. represents a significant milestone in the advancement of precision health and longevity solutions, as it harnesses the power of cutting-edge BCI technology to drive positive outcomes for individuals seeking to optimize their brain health and overall well-being.

About Neurable Inc.

Neurable Inc. is a Massachusetts-based neurotechnology company that specializes in the development of AI-powered tools for brain signal translation and brain-computer interface technology. Founded in 2016 as a University of Michigan spinout, Neurable is dedicated to creating a world where individuals can overcome physical and mental limitations through innovative neurotechnology solutions.

About Healthspan Digital Inc.

Healthspan Digital is a leading provider of premium longevity programs for the health, fitness and real-estate industry, focusing on preventative, predictive, and personalized healthcare. Through the integration of cutting-edge functional biomarkers, imaging, and genomics, Healthspan Digital offers membership-based clinical services, digital health solutions and smart homes, empowering individuals to take control of their lifelong wellness journey.

Contacts

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Neurable Inc. – press@neurable.com
Healthspan Digital Inc. – info@healthspan.digital

PLEASANTON, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#CharmHealth—CharmHealth, a leader in healthcare technology solutions for providers, today announced the launch of its health-tech marketplace, CharmHealthApps, a third-party vendor and innovation hub that aids in the discovery and acquisition of integrated healthcare-related products and services. With products and services hosted in a central location, CharmHealth users can explore the digital marketplace to find innovative solutions that will enhance not only their practices but also their ability to provide care.

CharmHealthApps, a veritable one-stop shop, is designed to facilitate the interaction between vendors, providers and patients as well as streamline integrations through CharmHealth. This ecosystem enables users to make CharmHealth’s EHR platform truly their own, offering a wide array of tools designed to augment and customize the functionality of the EHR system according to individual needs.

At the same time, vendors gain a new way to reach and interact with provider customers as they are discovered through the hub. Vendors have significant control over their listings and product positioning to ensure that prospective customers have the latest information and reviews. Additionally, because many offerings are bespoke applications that take time to set up, CharmHealthApps lets vendors track status and ensure that the customer relationship is progressing smoothly. Providers can also contact vendors through the CharmHealthApps marketplace to ask questions or make feature requests.

“We see collaboration as an essential component in improving healthcare overall, so we want to offer greater exposure and integration opportunities for vendors, particularly startups driving innovation, while providing novel experiences for users,” said Pramila Srinivasan, Ph.D., CEO of CharmHealth. “As the connective tissue for vendors and users, CharmHealthApps helps to deliver positive change and better outcomes with strategic implementation of technology.”

CharmHealth teams with partners to deliver cost-effective solutions and help providers with their digital transformation. CharmHealthApps allows EHR vendors to register and create accounts on the platform. Its user-friendly interface makes it simple for vendors to list, edit and manage their marketplace listings with detailed information. All vendors and their listings are then validated by CharmHealth to ensure the quality and reliability of products and services as well as their ability to comply with marketplace standards and regulations.

Once approved, vendors receive all the tools they need to update information, manage product listings, and interact with potential customers. Listings include detailed product information, features, pricing, certifications and reviews. CharmHealth conducts regular audits of product listings to ensure accuracy and compliance. Additionally, CharmHealth has implemented single sign on (SSO) to enable users to sign in with their CharmHealth credentials for a safe, streamlined experience. The platform also leverages encryption protocols to protect user and vendor data and deploys regular security audits and updates to safeguard against potential threats.

Users will encounter a wide range of applications that serve different functions, such as AI-enabled solutions to enhance the provider experience, cutting-edge devices that can improve the workflow, patient engagement solutions, and apps to streamline administrative tasks and improve clinical decision support. Key partners in the marketplace include:

• Health tech vendors that build apps to enable a frictionless experience for physicians.
• Labs and prescription centers that can be integrated into the physicians’ workflow.
• Services and consultants who provide IT or billing/revenue cycle management services to providers.
• System integrators and migration health IT developers.
• Device manufacturers that help providers’ workflows.

With CharmHealthApps, users gain greater access to new solutions with a seamless flow of data between selected applications and CharmHealth. To assist in finding the products and services right for them, users can filter queries based on interest. CharmHealth’s system will also make recommendations.

“As a provider, access to cutting-edge technologies should not be limited to those in large health conglomerates,” added Srinivasan. “As an innovator, there needs to be a marketplace to list inventions, monetize apps, and access integration to a world-renowned cloud-based platform used by providers globally.”

To help introduce the latest technologies to the market, CharmHealth’s marketplace puts innovative startups squarely in front of their target user base. In fact, several of CharmHealth’s past Innovation Challenge winners are currently listed on the marketplace.

The new CharmHealthApps marketplace is the latest addition to a platform dedicated to improving healthcare. To learn more about CharmHealth, including its cutting-edge product advances, visit www.charmhealth.com.

About CharmHealth

CharmHealth is a leading provider of innovative healthcare technology solutions that empower healthcare organizations to deliver efficient, high-quality care. With a focus on interoperability, patient engagement, and streamlined workflows, CharmHealth offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of modern healthcare. For more information on CharmHealth, visit www.charmhealth.com. To get breaking news, follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook and @charmhealth.

All brand names and solution names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Tags: CharmHealth, CharmHealthApps, healthcare marketplace, AI, artificial intelligence, generative AI, digital health, healthcare, health care, healthcare innovation, health tech, healthcare technology, electronic health record, EHR, healthcare entrepreneur, healthcare investment, Innovation Challenge, patient engagement

Contacts

Dottie O’Rourke, for CharmHealth
TECHMarket Communications
650-344-1260
CharmHealth@techmarket.com

“The relationship between Mass General Brigham’s commercial AI business (Mass General Brigham AI) and GE HealthCare has helped accelerate the introduction of AI into a range of product offerings and digital health solutions. With foundation models, we are witnessing the next wave of AI innovation, and it is already reshaping how we build, integrate and use AI,” said Dr. Keith Dreyer, Chief Data Science Officer, Mass General Brigham. “I think we are all optimistic that foundation models may actually complement and enhance the work we have been doing with convolutional neural networks over the past few years. Hopefully, this work will help make healthcare delivery more efficient for our practitioners, more accessible for our patients and more equitable for our diverse communities.”

The traditional approach to integrating AI into healthcare systems requires the retraining of models to accommodate the unique requirements of different patient populations and hospital settings. This can lead to increased costs and complexity, and in addition, hinder the broad adoption of AI technologies in the healthcare industry. Foundation models have the potential to transform healthcare by improving workflow efficiency and imaging diagnosis, since they have demonstrated strong capabilities in solving a diverse set of tasks. Foundation models have emerged as a reliable and adaptable foundation for developing AI applications tailored to the healthcare sector.

“GE HealthCare and Mass General Brigham have a long-standing AI collaboration that has produced AI-powered tools which help increase operational effectiveness and productivity. Now, with adding foundation models to our research work, we will be able to take the next step of digital and AI transformation to develop technology innovations that provide better patient care and outcomes,” said Parminder Bhatia, Chief AI Officer, GE HealthCare. “Incorporating responsible AI practices into this phase, we are committed to ensuring these innovations adhere to guidelines, prioritize patient safety and privacy, and promote fairness and transparency across all applications.”

To learn more about GE HealthCare’s digital and AI technologies, visit here.

About GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

GE HealthCare is a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator, dedicated to providing integrated solutions, services, and data analytics to make hospitals more efficient, clinicians more effective, therapies more precise, and patients healthier and happier. Serving patients and providers for more than 100 years, GE HealthCare is advancing personalized, connected, and compassionate care, while simplifying the patient’s journey across the care pathway. Together our Imaging, Ultrasound, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics businesses help improve patient care from diagnosis, to therapy, to monitoring. We are a $19.6 billion business with 51,000 colleagues working to create a world where healthcare has no limits.

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Insights for the latest news, or visit our website https://www.gehealthcare.com/ for more information.

Contacts

Linh Dinh
Global Communications Director, Science & Technology
M 408.275.5682
Linh.Dinh@gehealthcare.com

The study, published in The Lancet Digital Health, integrates prospectively collected data and compares CADe performance with that of Barrett’s oesophagus experts and general endoscopists.

Methodology Overview

Optimization and Threshold Selection: The CADe system’s parameters and hyperparameters were fine-tuned using a prospective dataset of 200 Barrett’s oesophagus images.

Performance Evaluation: Two independent test sets were created: an all-comers set reflecting daily clinical practice and a benchmarking set enriched with challenging cases.

Comparison with Experts: Barrett’s oesophagus experts evaluated the benchmarking set to establish a performance reference.

Impact on Endoscopists: General endoscopists assessed the benchmarking set in two phases: without and with CADe assistance.

Key Findings

CADe Threshold: The threshold for neoplasia detection was set at 0.35.

Performance: CADe showed high sensitivity (95% for images, 97% for videos) and moderate specificity (70% for images, 85% for videos) in the all-comers set.

Comparison with Endoscopists: CADe outperformed general endoscopists in sensitivity but had lower specificity.

Impact on Endoscopists: CADe significantly increased sensitivity while maintaining stable specificity in both image and video test sets.

Lesion Localization: CADe achieved 100% correct localization of neoplastic lesions in images.

Conclusion

The CADe system offers valuable assistance to general endoscopists in detecting neoplastic lesions in Barrett’s oesophagus. Further optimization is necessary for specificity improvement and lesion localization. Nonetheless, CADe integration holds promise for enhancing early neoplasia detection and management.