Keynote Talk: A Wireless Sensor a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Chronic diseases are predicted to be the leading cause of disability, and will become the most expensive problem affecting all countries (source: WHO). Many of these chronic diseases can be prevented, but this requires a paradigm shift to integrated and preventive healthcare (source: WHO). The focus of future healthcare systems should be on keeping people healthy, raising each individual´s awareness on his own health and inducing efficient behavioral changes. The patient of the future is a healthy patient. Wearable sensors are instrumental in managing chronic conditions, providing real-time diagnostics and patient- centric therapies. In this talk we will review recent technology breakthroughs in wireless sensors, and demonstrate their impact in a few pilot studies. New micro-electronic technologies lead to miniaturized low-power wireless patches, allowing 24/7 monitoring of ECG and other physiological signals for weeks or months. This is a game changing opportunity for epileptic patients, who are given the means to better manage their seizures. This is changing the life of Atrial Fibrillation patients, who can be diagnosed earlier and be given a more optimal treatment. Brain activity monitors are now integrated in headgear and headphones, allowing their use in the home environment without special skin preparation. These provide unprecedented opportunities to measure emotional valence and how one feels about his environment. Combined with other wearable physiological sensors, they provide feedback on one´s emotional and stress level and may be use to interact with our surroundings.