health-tech4.82 min read
Epic’s Leadership Shake-Up Sparks Discussion of a Health-Tech Exodus
1 month ago•Source: STAT
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2.44 min•2 months ago
FDA backs off enforcement on Whoop’s blood pressure reading after updates
The FDA told wearable maker Whoop it would not pursue further enforcement action over its Blood Pressure Insights feature after tweaks; the agency had previously warned in 2025 that the reading constituted a medical device requiring clearance, a stance Whoop disputed by labeling the feature wellness-focused. Experts warn that even with these tweaks, the updated wellness guidance remains ambiguous and could pose risks to users.
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"Google and Fitbit Unveil AI Health Chatbot and Fitness Coach Upgrades"
Android Authority•2 years ago
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"Google and Fitbit's Collaborative AI Revolutionizes Personal Health and Fitness Coaching"
Fitbit Labs, powered by a new Personal Health Large Language Model (LLM) from Fitbit and Google Research, will allow Fitbit Premium users to test and provide feedback on experimental AI features, including a chatbot for natural and conversational data inquiries. The model aims to deliver personalized coaching capabilities based on individual health and fitness goals, utilizing a diverse set of health signals from research case studies. Google Search is also enhancing visual search information for health conditions, while Google is researching a medical domain version of its Gemini model for tasks such as report generation for medical images.
"Nvidia and Johnson & Johnson Collaborate on AI-Powered Surgery Innovations"
Johnson & Johnson is collaborating with Nvidia to develop and scale new artificial intelligence applications for surgery, aiming to integrate AI within devices and platforms from pre-op to post-op to provide surgeons with comprehensive information. The companies are leveraging AI to analyze surgical video, automate documentation, and enhance surgical training and decision support. This collaboration aims to save surgeons time and provide them with the best tools and information, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare staff.
"Emerging AI Technologies and Epic's Innovations at HIMSS24: A Recap"
Epic Systems, a $4.6 billion health records giant, is developing a suite of 60 generative AI tools, including a prototype coding assistant powered by GPT-4, to streamline medical coding processes in hospitals. While the AI tool can suggest codes, it still requires human oversight and calibration due to potential inaccuracies. Epic aims to alleviate the burden on clinicians and address staffing shortages in healthcare through generative AI applications, but human touch remains crucial for complex cases. The company's incumbent advantage and partnerships with Microsoft and startup Abridge position it as a key player in the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare.
Eli Lilly Teams Up with Amazon Pharmacy for Prescription Drug Delivery
Eli Lilly has partnered with Amazon Pharmacy to deliver its obesity, diabetes, and migraine medications directly to patients through Lilly's telehealth platform, marking the first direct collaboration between Amazon's pharmacy business and a drugmaker. This new relationship could disrupt traditional medication prescription and dispensing processes, potentially reshaping the pharmaceutical and retail pharmacy industries while creating significant opportunities for Amazon Pharmacy.
"Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Impact of Apple Vision Pro on App Development"
Apple Vision Pro is unlocking new opportunities for health app developers, allowing for the creation of breakthrough health and wellness apps that take advantage of spatial experiences in clinical settings and at home. The technology is being used in areas such as surgical planning, medical imaging, behavioral health, and more, with apps like myMako, CyranoHealth, and Cinematic Reality offering immersive and transformative experiences for healthcare professionals and patients. The unique capabilities of visionOS are enabling developers to create apps that were not previously possible, revolutionizing the healthcare industry and improving patient outcomes.
"Salesforce Introduces Advanced AI Tools for Developers and Doctors"
Salesforce has unveiled new AI tools for healthcare workers, including Einstein Copilot: Health Actions and Assessment Generation, aimed at reducing administrative burdens. These tools, built on the Einstein 1 Platform, enable doctors to streamline tasks such as appointment booking and patient information summarization using conversational AI. The company aims to address the burnout caused by labor-intensive administrative tasks and data fragmentation in healthcare systems. The tools are expected to comply with HIPAA regulations and will be available for use later this year.
"Dexcom's Stelo: First FDA-Cleared OTC Continuous Glucose Monitor"
Dexcom has received FDA clearance for its over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, Stelo, designed for Type 2 diabetes patients who do not use insulin. This marks the first glucose biosensor not requiring a prescription, making it accessible to those without insurance coverage for CGMs. The device, to be available online this summer, offers real-time glucose tracking and lasts up to 15 days. Dexcom aims to provide a simpler experience tailored for Type 2 patients and plans to eventually secure insurance coverage for Stelo.
"FDA Clears Dexcom's Stelo as First Over-the-Counter Continuous Glucose Monitor"
The FDA has approved the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, the Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, designed for individuals 18 years and older who do not use insulin. This integrated CGM allows users to monitor and analyze glucose levels using a wearable sensor and a smartphone app, providing valuable information about their health without the involvement of a healthcare provider. However, it is not intended for individuals with problematic hypoglycemia. This approval aligns with the FDA's goal of advancing health equity by expanding access to valuable health information for all patients.
"Abridge Secures $150M Series C for Advancing AI Clinical Documentation Tools"
Abridge, a startup specializing in AI medical scribing, has raised $150 million in a Series C funding round led by Lightspeed and Redpoint Ventures, bringing its post-money valuation to $850 million. The company aims to enhance its AI technology to create more useful medical notes, improve clinical documentation, and compete with industry giants like Nuance in the electronic health records space. The funding will support Abridge's expansion into more hospitals and further research and development efforts.
"AI-Enhanced Colonoscopy Boosts Polyp Detection by 40%: Study"
Researchers at Radboud teaching hospital in the Netherlands are using AI to detect polyps in the colon, leading to a 40% increase in detection compared to the naked eye. The AI-assisted colonoscopy method did not result in more time or false positives. The next step is to determine if the computer can assess the danger level of a polyp based on its visual characteristics and size, potentially reducing the need for unnecessary analysis and lowering the risk of complications and costs.