HAS Technology’s ARMED wearable technology has been certified as an official medical device after conforming to EU standards.
Combining predictive analytics with wearable technology and health and social care data, ARMED can identify risks, such as a fall, by using the information to create a risk profile.
Developed with support from Edinburgh Napier University and Scotland’s Digital Health and Care Institute, ARMED gives users access to data allowing for better self-management while allowing healthcare professionals to be alerted to potential issues.
As a certified medical device, in accordance with the EU Medical Device Directive, ARMED can now be used in clinical settings.
HAS Technology said the ARMED clinical evaluation stated that a “proactive approach to falls is considered crucial” and “significant reductions in falls have been observed in trials when a risk of falling is identified, and the risk is managed.”
It also highlighted that “evaluations to date have identified clinical trends in patient groups including dehydration, weight loss, restlessness nocturnally, muscle wasting and reduced grip strength,” which can be monitored by ARMED.
“We are delighted that ARMED has received certification as a medical device…this places ARMED in a much more credible position, especially within NHS spheres, to help make a real difference,” said HAS Technology director of ARMED Brian Brown (pictured, on right).
“This process can usually take up to nine months but, with the herculean effort of my colleagues, we reduced that timescale by several months,” he added.
DigiTEC Innovation clinical director Dr Kes Khaliq, who supported HAS Technology through the 52-page clinical evaluation report process, said: “ARMED has been shown to have a huge impact for users, identifying potential issues at an early stage - up to 32 days in advance - thereby looking after the patient and also relieving pressure on already strained services.
