Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), an industry organization that develops and promotes Bluetooth wireless technology, raises an intriguing possibility for bringing remote monitoring to homes. In an article lauding the 3M Littmann 3200 stethoscope that can wirelessly transmit recordings to a PC, Bluetooth SIG makes the following point:

Future versions of the device are anticipated to interact with mobile phones, an expansion that would bring this technology to the consumers and provide opportunities for improved home health care.

We immediately imagined a patient's husband placing the diaphragm of the scope on her back with the doctor guiding and listening to respiratory sounds live via a headset. We contacted 3M asking whether they might soon be targeting the consumer market with their stethoscope, but they replied that they currently have no plans to do so. Nevertheless, it seems that much of the underlying technology that can realize virtual home examinations is already here. Let's hope that someone can develop a product and service that can utilize it effectively to create an alternative for many expensive and time consuming visits to the clinic.

Link: Bluetooth SIG on Littmann 3200 Stethoscope...

Product page: Littmann 3200...

(hat tip: mobihealthnews)