mHealth causes a digital diaper change

Pixie Scientific has recently launched an Indiegogo crowd-funded project into developing and marketing ‘smart diapers’ for children. These new nappies feature a square grid and a QR code that allows it to be scanned by a mobile app. This app then decodes the coloured squares and QR code into information regarding the child’s hydration, signs of urinary tract infections and state of their kidney function.

The company hopes that the crowd sourced funding will enable it to kick start manufacturing and also to start the initial research using the technology in a hospital setting. The device will also require FDA approval given its possible use as a diagnostic medical tool.

By tracking several variables over time, the app will keep a digital record of the child’s urine test strip and provide recommendations on whether to seek medical attention. We look forward to the data from the first clinical trial due to start at Benioff Children’s Hospital of the University of California, San Francisco in September . With mHealth, even diapers will be changing with the times!

Links:
1. http://pixiescientific.com/
2. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/a-digital-diaper-for-tracking-health/