New pacemaker keeps doctor in touch

United States health officials have approved the first pacemaker capable of sending information on a patient's heart via remote transmission.

The Biotronik Home Monitoring System can help keep doctors informed about a patient's condition between office visits.

Data from the pacemaker tells the doctor how the heart's electrical system is working and how hard the device has to work to help the heart function.

The modified pacemaker includes a short-range radio frequency transmitter that sends data to a cellphone-like device that patients carry with them.

The phone transmits the information to a company service centre, which correlates the data and sends it to the patient's doctor.

The doctor can programme the pacemaker to transmit data as often as needed.

- REUTERS

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