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It seems like a lifetime ago. Just days after the 2019 general election, Health Secretary Matt Hancock appeared on national television and outlined his vision of a “digital NHS”.
He promised that the newly elected government would “double the tech agenda and bring the NHS into the 21st century”.
His plan, which included major funding for high technology, was ambitious.
But no one could have predicted how forward-looking it was.
Just over a month after that announcement, the first Covid case hit our shoreline – and our healthcare system underwent a radical overhaul almost overnight. And most will agree that it will never be the same again.
While doctors on the front lines learned to deal with the deadly disease, general practitioners across the country had to figure out how to treat patients without being in the same room.
Before the pandemic, the vast majority of appointments were face-to-face – today most are done via video consultation or phone.
This new strategy did not convince all patients, but a survey conducted by the British Medical Association in June found that 88 percent of general practitioners wanted to continue to have remote consultations after the Covid-19 crisis was resolved.
In 2020, the UK invested £ 1.3 billion in its digital health technology. So it’s no wonder that health technology was a key component at this year’s CES technology fair.
The event, which took place online, revealed a number of important devices that we can use to protect, monitor and manage our own health without the need for a doctor. From the space age face masks that amplify the voice to virus-killing robots, Covid was of course a main topic.
Others are just bizarre – for example, a “smart” toilet that can do urine and stool analyzes. But could such innovations become commonplace in the near future as home healthcare becomes more and more high-tech?
The Mail on Sunday has put together the most exciting gadgets of this year’s show. So you can decide for yourself.
Covid mask that gives you the Darth Vader look
The N95 surgical respirator is made of transparent plastic. It makes it easier to read your lips, is reusable and even lights up in the dark
WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
The Project Hazel is an N95 surgical respirator – the type approved for medical PPE – that also amplifies the voice. It’s made of transparent plastic – makes it easier to read the lips, is reusable and even glows in the dark.
The mask comes with a charging case that sterilizes the device with UV light. Oh, and you’ll look like something from Star Wars when you wear it, if that’s a bonus.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The mask lies close to the face and has soft silicone seals. A built-in microphone on the inside transmits the voice to an outside speaker, making what is being said clear and understandable, even behind the plastic layers. We couldn’t try it out so can’t vouch for whether it will make you sound and look like Darth Vader.
WHEN CAN I GET IT?
Razer plans to develop Project Hazel before it hits the market.
razer.com/gb-de / concept / razerproject-hazel
Video game eye test that detects vision loss
The device performs ten diagnostic tests for common eye conditions, from color blindness to glaucoma – high pressure in the eyeball that leads to gradual loss of vision
WHY IS?
The Vror Eye Dr uses the same technology as virtual reality computer game headsets. Hence, users see a computer generated image through the lenses rather than what is actually in front of them. This is no game, however: the device performs ten diagnostic tests for common eye conditions, from color blindness to glaucoma – high pressure in the eyeball that leads to gradual loss of vision.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Once strapped to the head, users see a computer-generated 3D landscape through the goggles. This stimulates the entire field of vision and is said to give a better indication of how the eye works in daily life than a normal eye test that uses static images on a screen. A built-in computer measures the eye’s reaction to the stimuli in the landscape and sends them back to the doctor, who supports the test.
WHEN CAN I GET IT?
There is currently no release date for the Vror Eye Dr, but the company plans to make it available for use in eye clinics in the United States and beyond. m2skorea.com
The loo that gives diet tips
The wellness toilet is linked to an app that warns you if your diet is unbalanced and makes suggestions for improvement – for example by consuming more fiber
WHY IS?
The wellness toilet from the Japanese company Toto analyzes the “most important results” of the user in order to make recommendations for improving their health. It’s linked to an app that warns you when your diet is unbalanced and makes suggestions for improvement – for example, by consuming more fiber. Sensors in the seat also record the user’s pulse and blood pressure.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
According to Toto, the toilet uses biosensors to analyze waste. It is known that people with poor gut health are at increased risk of serious medical conditions like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and even depression. A Korean study published last week found that they may also have more severe Covid symptoms.
WHEN CAN I GET IT?
Bill Strang, US chief executive of Toto, says the toilet, which is still in the prototype stage, will be launched “a year or two later”. toto.com
Backpack and keyboard that disinfect themselves
The lamp uses UV-C light to kill germs. It turns on every hour for five minutes – but not when it detects a hand underneath, as UV-C can be harmful to human skin
WHY IS?
Attach the UV-C LED disinfection light to a keyboard and it kills germs on the surface, while the fabric of the 2Office Antimicrobial Backpack has an antimicrobial finish.
HOW DO YOU WORK?
The lamp uses UV-C light to kill germs. It turns on every hour for five minutes – but not when it detects a hand underneath, as UV-C can be harmful to human skin. The backpack neutralizes pathogens.
WHEN CAN I GET IT?
The UV-C LED disinfection light costs £ 220. The 2Office Antimicrobial Backpack costs £ 88. ap.targus.com
App detects blood pressure from a selfie
As our heart beats, blood pulsates through these veins, causing tiny changes in the color of our skin. These can also be seen with a smartphone camera
WHY IS?
The Anura app measures blood pressure by taking a 30 second video of the user’s face. Doctors say the app could help people avoid unnecessary GP visits.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The blood that flows through the veins in our face sits close to the surface of the skin. As our heart beats, blood pulsates through these veins, causing tiny color changes in our skin. These can also be seen with a smartphone camera. The anura can analyze these changes to read our blood pressure accurately.
WHEN CAN I GET IT?
Anura is now available for free download for iPhone and Android. anura.ai
Two glasses … in one
By turning the setting wheel, the two lenses can slide over each other – the same technology that activates the zoom on smartphone cameras
WHY IS?
Constantly switching between reading and driving glasses? Promising to be the only kit you’ll ever need, this stylish pair contains two recipes in one.
These so-called “tunable glasses” make switching between recipes “seamless”, says the start-up Voy from San Francisco.
It is even possible to adjust one lens at a time if the prescriptions are different between the eyes.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The secret lies in a dial that sits on top of the frame. By turning the dial, the two lenses can slide over each other – the same technology that is used to activate the zoom on smartphone cameras.
The Voy glasses can be switched from -5 to 2+ within seconds.
WHEN CAN I GET IT?
The Voy glasses are currently available online for £ 58.55. voyglasses.com
The patch that looks for Covid
The BioButton is the size of a 10-P piece and sticks to the skin. By monitoring temperature, breathing rate and heart rate, an early warning can be given if the wearer has Covid
Technologies that allow the body to monitor vital signs only through skin contact are nothing new. For example, there are similar gadgets in many wrist-worn fitness trackers
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