The world of medicine has changed in the last four years. A thermometer alone is not always the best way to determine if we are sick. And seeing a doctor can feel a lot like a Zoom call with a co-worker.
Now, a new gadget from Withings, maker of smart health devices (like smart scales and health tracking watches), promises to let people get a clearer picture of their health without having to learn new skills or buy a cabinet full of medical equipment. is a palm-sized tool that includes an electrocardiogram (ECG), oximeter, and digital stethoscope that not only takes your temperature but also allows you to monitor your heart and lungs.
This is a tool designed with telemedicine in mind, providing more information to doctors trying to diagnose problems via video conferencing.
“BeamO is a transformative multiscope device,” founder Éric Carreel said in a statement. “Once upon a time, the only health screening routinely performed at home was temperature. BeamO will revolutionize the measurement of basic vitals performed during medical visits in the comfort of one’s home. This important data will provide a vital overview of overall health or warning signs of areas of potential concern. . . . “BeamO will be the thermometer of the future.”
The device measures most of this information through light wave sensors and acoustic information. Just hold BeamO in your hand; It will start working and within a minute it will show information such as your pulse and blood oxygen level on the LED screen. To take your temperature, slide it over your forehead and, similar to its previous thermometer, the Thermo, it will use your temporal artery to give you an accurate reading of whether you have a fever.
Another possible advantage of this tool is that people can better track their health metrics on a daily or ongoing basis, something that is difficult to do today. Withings will integrate its app with BeamO, allowing people to track measurements and share them with medical professionals and families when needed.