Google Develops New Health Wearable to Track Patients' Vital Signs & Environmental Information

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Google revealed on Tuesday that it is developing a new wearable tech that can be used to track a patient's health.

The health tracking wristband can measure pulse, skin temperature, heart rhythm, and environmental information such as light exposure and noise levels. The collected information would be a continuous feature that will greatly aid doctors in tracking their patients' health. Unfortunately, it won't be marketed to consumers, Tech Radar reports.

"Our intended use is for this to become a medical device that's prescribed to patients or used for clinical trials," Andy Conrad, head of Google's life sciences team, told Bloomberg in a telephone interview. The wearable is a sensor packed wristband developed by Google X, the company's experimental research division.

According to the search giant, the tech is still experimental. It is working with scientists and drug experts to ensure that it is developed accurately to benefit and assist medical professionals. Google will then be seeking regulatory clearance to use it in the U.S. and Europe. Google spokeswoman Jacquelyn Miller mentioned that the trials for the wristbands will begin this summer.

In regards to how the company is storing their data, they will be using online and mobile internet portals.

"In testing, we've been syncing data collected from these devices through an online and mobile internet portal," an unnamed Google spokesperson told MobiHealthNews. "The ability to securely store, analyze, and interpret the data from this device is as important as the technology itself."

According to Kara Dennis, director of mobile health at Medidata, a New York data analytics company, many health professionals have long been trying to find ways to track a patient's vital signs outside a lab. Unfortunately, most consumer devices that offer health features aren't accurate enough to capture data.

"Historically, doctors do everything -- patients just need to turn up at the trial site," Dennis added. "Now, we're asking patients to take on meaningful responsibility in gathering information." She added that even a device's battery life could risk altering any information.

Although it may take a lot of years, Conrad hopes that Google's health tools could be used to help people detect early signs of diseases.

"I envision a day, in 20 or 30 years, where physicians give it to all patients," Conrad told Bloomberg. "Prevention means all the time."

Other products that are in the works at Google X are smart contact lens that is a less intrusive way for diabetes patients to test their glucose levels. According to CNET, Google announced that it will be collaborating with pharmaceutical company Novartis to produce the contact lenses. Other ventures of the company also encompass Project Glass, another wearable tech, and driverless cars.