St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ), a global medical device company, today announced the U.S. launch of its Wireless USB Adaptor for the Merlin@home™ transmitter, a system that allows important patient data from an implantable cardiac device to be wirelessly downloaded and securely transmitted via telephone for review by a physician. The new Wireless USB Adaptor enables patients using a Merlin@home transmitter to transmit data to their physician over cellular networks, allowing for more convenient care than existing landline services provide.
“The Wireless USB Adaptor is another addition to our innovative product portfolio and demonstrates the strength of our connectivity platform.”
"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," said Dr. David Sandler, director of electrophysiology at the Oklahoma Heart Institute in Tulsa, Okla. "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 typically sits on a patient's bedside table and wirelessly communicates with the patient's device while they are asleep. The data are sent via the Merlin@home transmitter to the Merlin.net™ Patient Care Network (PCN), an Internet-based repository of patient and device data. Once transmitted, the Merlin.net PCN organizes the data for fast analysis and easy review, and allows information to be sent directly to a clinic's or hospital's electronic health record (EHR) system for inclusion in the patient's comprehensive EHR.
"This technology improves patient care by providing an efficient remote monitoring system when the use of a landline is inconvenient or unavailable," said Eric S. Fain, M.D., president of the St. Jude Medical Cardiac Rhythm Management Division. "The Wireless USB Adaptor is another addition to our innovative product portfolio and demonstrates the strength of our connectivity platform."
The remote monitoring capabilities facilitated by the Merlin@home transmitter permit automated follow-up appointments and daily device checks to occur wirelessly, with limited patient action required. This reduces unnecessary visits to the physician's office, while allowing physicians to more quickly become aware of changes with the patient's condition or device.