14 DAY TRIAL // We're not sure just how many of you have ever been curious about the levels reached by their blood pressure while they're playing some hardcore game on the computer or simply working, but those curious enough about this particular topic might soon get a tool that will provide them said information, namely the MDMouse system, developed by a company called CalHealth. The MDMouse is designed to measure blood pressure outside of the medical environment, and to provide that information for use by the individual, clinical evaluation companies (CROs), healthcare providers and healthcare payers. It consists of an innovative mouse device which includes a blood pressure monitor and an application software package that resides on a PC where the blood pressure readings are displayed. The software application for the MDMouse system will display the blood pressure readings to the user and it will also provide a means to maintain records and allow the user to access past readings at any time. In addition, the software will allow the user to direct his/her records to a third party, such as a physician or insurance company, or in the event of use for clinical studies, the data can go directly to the study sponsor. Other features of the system include the ability to set alarms reminding the user to take their blood pressure or medications and set appointments with the doctor. Inside a standard-sized computer mouse is a blood pressure finger cuff that is placed over the index finger to allow blood pressure measurement. Additional components include a pneumatic pump to inflate and deflate the cuff and a pressure sensor to identify the pulse during cuff deflation, thus allowing for measurement of blood pressure by a standard method (the "oscillometric" method). These components, and the electrical power source and processing capabilities of the computer to which the MDMouse hardware is attached, comprise a highly accurate "sphygmomanometer". The PC, using the installed MDMouse software, along with the MDMouse device, will perform the calculations necessary to turn the digital data obtained by the sensor into useful information for display on the PC.
Unfortunately, pricing and availability details for the MDMouse have not been provided, but it seems that we should expect these products to make it onto the market fairly soon.