Myant Inc, a leader in the design, development and production of textile computing products, has launched a strategic collaboration with Mayo Clinic to bring Mayo’s patented algorithms for heart monitoring and arrhythmia detection to Myant’s SKIIN textile computing platform.
The agreement reportedly gives Myant Inc exclusive license to Mayo Clinic’s proprietary heart monitoring and arrhythmia detection technology for use in textile computing or smart clothing projects. Myant’s SKIIN smart underwear will be released in early 2019 pending FDA clearance and Health Canada approval, according to the company.
The collaboration aims to bring comfort and confidence to people who are at risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib). Early detection and lifestyle management can prevent AFib from leading to stroke or heart failure. The collaboration aims to give patients and doctors the ability to proactively monitor heart activity 24/7 using clothing to help detect the presence of AFib and normal or abnormal heart rhythm.
“The agreement is a huge step forward in our development of a continuous and seamless platform for remote health monitoring and remote diagnosis,” says Tony Chahine, CEO and founder of Myant Inc, “We are very excited to work with an esteemed organisation like Mayo Clinic, and to bring our respective strengths in textile computing and heart health monitoring together to help enable better and more productive lives for millions of people.”
“Our collaboration with Myant has the potential to help people access Mayo Clinic healthcare expertise regardless of where they live, and to help those at risk of heart arrhythmias proactively understand and address issues related to their health,” says Paul Friedman, MD, chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic, and an expert in electrophysiology.
According to Myant, Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education and research.
Myant’s SKIIN Textile Computing platform integrates technology into the fabrics that surround us every day. Whether in the form of clothing, car seats, mattresses, diapers or other everyday products, SKIIN products consolidate a number of wearable devices into one common platform to provide users with continuous access to their body’s data – ranging from heart rate, activity metrics and skin temperature to medication tracking and sleep quality. SKIIN can both sense and respond with targeted therapy and personalised guidance as needed.
The first generation of SKIIN smart underwear includes the following sensing technologies: Electrocardiogram ECG (heart rate, HRV), sinus rhythm (AFib vs normal), activity (steps, calories, activity recognition – walking, running, sitting/standing), sleep (sleep stages, hours slept), stress level, and temperature. Future developments include the addition of slip and fall detection, driver fatigue, ovulation and a suite of chemical sensing markers. The result is an intelligent garment that will transform how users proactively manage their health, stay connected and lead healthier and more confident lives, says Myant.
