The integrated and interactive mHealth solutions provided by IMI Health AG technology facilitate remote monitoring, self-empowerment, secure long-term data storage, and a range of supporting applications and hardware devices. This helps create wellness management at your fingertips. As populations age and medical costs rise, remote monitoring is vital for stretching limited healthcare resources. IMI has developed an integrated framework using sensors, software, and data analysis to remotely monitor health and empower prevention.

1. A string of
precious
pearls in
healthcare
mHealth management at your fingertips
in association with

2. 02 | IMI HEALTH TECHNOLOGY www.imi-health-technology.com
Integrated and interactive
mHealth solutions
A must for the future of healthcare…
A
s a result of the challenges and Healthcare systems are therefore forced to
requirements of a modern, efficient and anticipate and find solutions for these challenges.
cost-effective healthcare system, IMI However, it’s not only about tomorrow, because
mHealth technology solutions have been even in today’s world healthcare resources are
developed. Consequently, IMI Health AG is a far from an optimised allocation or utilisation.
first mover in an emerging and developing All these factors will enhance the development
market that is designated mHealth. of mobile health solutions that are convenient
The next few decades in Europe will be to handle for patients/users and the healthcare
characterised by significant changes in the specialist. These solutions can and should be
demographic structure of its population; smart enough to have an impact on individual
especially those age groups with high birth lifestyles. They should support awareness and
rates in the years following World War II. This enable preventative measures.
is creating an ageing population that is living When it comes to serious clarification of the
longer and by definition placing greater demands health status of treatments, the same solution
on the healthcare system. The demand for should be ready to support the communication
preventive medical examination will arise and between patient and health specialist and grant
so will the need to create convenient and access to a knowledge base of the biggest
cost-effective solutions. possible scale. The cloud of useful health
As people get older, the risk of serious information should provide value instantaneously
diseases will automatically rise. The lifestyle and ubiquitously. In addition, the data contained
changes through a shift from an industry-led to in individual health records will enter the cloud
a service-centred society will cause diseases and be safely and securely stored. The next few decades
such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases and IMI mHealth technology has taken these in Europe will be
burnout syndromes. challenges and needs into consideration and characterised by
Those people who are still integrated into provides robust and innovative solutions. significant changes in
work life will have to face a high level of demand It is important to identify where mHealth the demographic
when it comes to surviving in a highly competitive solutions can add value to assist healthcare structure of its
labour market. A significant portion of these specialists make more effective use of their time. population; especially
people will not be able to afford to have a major IMI believes it can, over time, make a considerable those age groups
health problem for two reasons: they cannot impact in the monitoring the health of patients/ with high birth rates
cover the costs for treatments and they cannot users remotely. Fig. 1 provides a graphical in the years following
afford to stay away from work. illustration of what can be achieved. World War II

3. www.imi-health-technology.com IMI HEALTH TECHNOLOGY | 03
main focus of common healthcare systems
Ist
Healthy outside influence occurrence detection lag detection reaction lag reaction/ recovering Healthy
status of disease treatment status
regular health checks communication
empowerment data availability
post treatment care
nutrition nutrition
physical training physical training
communication with other devices remote monitoring
prevention indication for communication recovery
through life-style certain diseases support support
basic monitoring, tracing and recording
Quadrant 4
Quadrant 1
Quadrant 3 Quadrant 2
Fig. 1 IMI mHealth service © by IMI Health AG, 2012
The formula for IMI’s mHealth solution is:
concept + hardware + software
= integrated and interactive mHealth service
Concept with is a ‘Health 2.0’ approach according to Dr
Based on the principle that wellness and health Lingg, the founder of IMI Health AG.
is individual and that any influencing factor on
the human system must be verifiable in its Hardware
effect, IMI believes in the power of open, IMI can offer mobiles or tablet PCs as
integrated systems. Open for smart approaches all-in-one devices, separate devices as add-ons
and applications (apps) and thus open for for mobiles with blue tooth connection or
improvements through the input of users and provide the technology for third parties to
every smart brain/idea in this emerging market. white label their products. Sensors can be
The empowerment of people to be able to take applied in different ways to take measurements.
conscious decisions about what they should eat, Sensors on the back of a mobile phone or a
what they could do to improve their wellbeing tablet PC or integrated in a chest strap are
and who they want to share this information already available.

4. 04 | IMI HEALTH TECHNOLOGY www.imi-health-technology.com
self assessed health status
healthy sick The concept of the IMI
mHealth framework is
integrated to build a
healthy
healthy hypochondriac perfect quality control
(low risk*) tendencies (low risk*)
loop that is open
actual health status
enough to have
4 3 permanent upgrades
through application
providers, users and
unrecognised
disease under experts from all over
sickness
sick
medical care/control
= highest risk* and
= assessable risk*
the world
suffering potential
1 2
Fig. 2: The greatest benefit for cost savings provided by mHealth solutions can be identified in Quadrant 1. The opportunity
for pre-screening leading to prevention is now available and the health specialist should begin to consider the use of the
devices being developed. It always takes time for new ideas to be used on a daily basis, but the development of what is
available could be greatly assisted by a realistic approach being taken by the regulators
Software The loop: from measurement to data capture
IMI owns mobile and server-based software that To be able to test all the different impacts on
is secure, patented and able to be connected to the human system, a measurement point is
most common operating systems and browsers. needed that:
Data protection in this environment is mandatory • Maybe used instantly and in any environment;
and may be provided to military standard. • Functions for all users in the same way;
• Has an immediate response to every impact on
Integrated the human body.
The concept of the IMI mHealth framework is
integrated to build a perfect quality control The cardiovascular and the autonomous nervous
loop that is open enough to have permanent systems of the human body send instant signals
upgrades through application providers, users about our wellbeing. IMI has found a way to
and experts from all over the world. The interpret those signals utilising its patented
concept is also integrated with the holistic idea algorithm. That is why IMI developed a device
that the human body is a complex system and that can be integrated in every mobile phone
everything people do has an impact, whether using four sensors on the back that can be
they want to lose weight, improve their shape equally applied to the fingertips or the breast.
or optimise nutrition. The measurements are of one channel ECG, pulse
These points are all just single aspects of and blood oxygen that calculates and reports
people living in our so-called ‘highly developed’ blood pressure, the status of metabolism and the
civilisation. But losing weight could make some autonomous nervous system with a special focus
people sick and training to hard could overburden on stress levels.
the heart. This is why the IMI solution monitors After a measurement, which can be conducted
these aspects so that people can function in a daily and takes two minutes 20 seconds, the
balanced way, taking care of their metabolism result will be shown immediately on the device
and cardiovascular requirements. and, whenever connectivity to the internet is

5. www.imi-health-technology.com IMI HEALTH TECHNOLOGY | 05
Fig. 3: The IMI mHealth Loop Fig. 4
possible, also in a personal user area online.
Based on that spot check, advice can be made
upon the optimal nutrition, cardio workouts. Summary
A special sport application is also available that The integrated and interactive mHealth
shows the optimal training guide. Well-recognised solutions provided by IMI Health AG
and approved databases like Nutri-Find and technology facilitate:
WikiFood are used to build up a detailed nutrition • Remote monitoring;
diary, containing recipes and other useful sources • Self-empowerment;
of information. The comparison of advice given • Secure data storage for medium and
and what actually happened will enable the long-term analysis;
software to make a gap analysis. There are • A large range of supporting mHealth
already some precious ‘pearls’ with regards to applications;
apps and databases that are available in the • A range of differing hardware devices;
mHealth sector, dealing with specific aspects of • A built-in and effective control system.
wellness and health.
IMI has developed a string that is now able In a world in which people are living
to integrate those developments and hence be longer, the available medical resource,
able to provide a ‘string of pearls’ together with with the inherent cost, is being stretched
the loop. Eventually, all the captured and to breaking point. It is vital that mobile
stored data will provide valuable information, communications are used to monitor
both demographically and geographically, on a people remotely. IMI has developed
global basis. technology to make this a reality.
Appealing graphics and an easily comprehensible Remote monitoring together with the
menu structure on a mobile phone and internet accurate evaluation of the collected data
account make the IMI solution a discrete and creates wellness management at your
viable companion in daily life. fingertips.

6. 06 | IMI HEALTH TECHNOLOGY www.imi-health-technology.com
The motion to maximise
European Commissioner for Health and Consumer
Policy John Dalli heralds the importance of technology
and innovation in advancing the cause of health…
E
ach and every European should have access
to safe and good quality healthcare. This
applies now more than ever, as health
budgets are squeezed at a time when Europe’s
© European Union, 1995-2011
population is ageing.
20 years ago, for every person over 65 there
were five people of working age. Today, there are
only four. In 50 years’ time, there will be just
two. The health workforce is also ageing and
Commissioner John Dalli and DG SANCO Director General
this is estimated to lead to a shortfall of one
Paola Testori Coggi
million health workers by the end of this decade.
As the population grows older, the burden of potential for innovation, such as e-health, which
chronic conditions is likely to grow with it. can improve the quality of healthcare, increase
Conditions such as heart disease, or Type 2 the efficiency and availability of health systems
diabetes, already account for around 70% of and support patient-centred health systems.
healthcare costs. Telemedicine is a case in point as it could
These factors combined are set to add even improve access to diagnosis and treatment –
further pressure on Europe’s health systems. The particularly for rare conditions where expertise
question arises: How do we continue to deliver is scarce. By concentrating expertise in a few
healthcare to more people with fewer resources? centres connected to the whole of Europe, it is
The time has come to consider smart and possible to move the knowledge without having
responsible ways of investing in health systems, to move the patient. This, in turn, can translate
to improve their efficiency and sustainability, into better access for patients, and greater
while at the same time ensuring the best possible cost-effectiveness for health systems.
healthcare for patients. For this reason, the EU is supporting ‘European
Investment in health innovation is the key to Reference Networks’ that would offer high-quality
achieve this. The health sector has tremendous and highly specialised expertise across Europe –
© Kevin.Souza
© USDAgov
Left to right: Dr Megan R Mahoney; Standardised Patient,
The telehealth unit is demonstrated on Grants Committee Adrienne Krug; Michael Quirk, Director, Kanbar Center for
member Bob Umidi, while Grants Committee member Simulation, Clinical Skills and Telemedicine Education,
Mary Lyons Bradley watches and learns UCSF Teaching and Learning Center

7. www.imi-health-technology.com IMI HEALTH TECHNOLOGY | 07
a welcome development for patients with a
medical condition requiring a particular
concentration of expertise in areas where medical
expertise or technology is rare.
Furthermore, e-health applications can
facilitate access for patients to the best medical
expertise from the comfort of their own home,
while having their condition continuously
monitored from a distance.
By moving some routine checks from hospital
to home, telemonitoring can help reduce hospital support research on diseases and treatments The health sector has
tremendous potential for
admissions and thus free up the precious time and, ultimately, improve our understanding of innovation, such as e-health,
and resources of health professionals and, at the how to treat a given disease. Such cooperation which can improve the quality
of healthcare, says Dalli
same time, improve patients’ comfort and control will help us to learn from one another and break
over their own health. down barriers to interoperability.
In a nutshell, e-health tools can help provide The EU has invested over €1bn in research and
better healthcare, to more people, in a more pilot projects to develop e-health not just to
efficient and sustainable manner. Yet there remain treat people, but also to keep them healthy,
a number of barriers to its use across the EU. active and independent. It is important to show
e-Health requires profound changes in how such investment can trigger efficiency gains
healthcare as we know it, with a reduced need that help secure the quality and sustainability
for face-to-face interaction. Not every doctor of health systems. We need to ensure that
feels comfortable liaising with patients via a investment pays off – not just today, but in 10,
computer screen, so they need real incentives to 20, 30 years’ time.
overcome this barrier. In parallel, not every This is where health technology assessment
patient feels comfortable being diagnosed or (HTA) has an important role to play. HTA helps
advised by a doctor online. Compare this with to ensure that e-health technologies are chosen
the banking sector, where many of us manage and used in the most effective and efficient way.
our accounts online without thinking twice. A This means showing that e-health can be more
similar trend is starting to emerge in health. effective than conventional treatment, and that
There are also structural barriers, in particular the benefits outweigh the costs.
the lack of interoperability or compatibility As part of the Europe 2020 Strategy – the EU’s
between health systems. In other words, blueprint to emerge stronger from the economic
health systems in the EU are unable to ‘speak’ crisis – we have launched a European Innovation
to one another. Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The
To help bridge these gaps, an EU directive has partnership brings together public and private
recently been adopted on patients’ rights in sector representatives to share their knowledge
cross-border healthcare, which clarifies the right and expertise to translate innovation into
for patients to be treated or diagnosed in an- concrete products and services to help people
other EU member state, and be reimbursed for it. live active, healthy, independent and longer
This directive also encourages EU member lives to support more efficient and sustainable
states to cooperate on e-health, for example to health systems, and boost EU competitiveness John Dalli
agree on a minimum set of data for patients’ and growth. Commissioner for
summaries that can be shared between health I believe in maximising the potential for Health and
professionals. Member states would work together innovation in healthcare: not because innovation Consumer Policy
to pool data on public health and medical is trendy; not because innovation is an end in European Commission
research, notably through patients’ registries, itself; but because it is a means to advance the Email: cab-dalli-webpage
which currently remain fragmented across Europe. cause of European health and a means to drive @ec.europa.eu
By promoting patients’ registries, we can forward the economy upon which we all depend. Web: ec.europa.eu

8. mHealth management at your fingertips
IMI HEALTH AG
Felbaweg 10, 9494 Schaan, Liechtenstein
t: +423 230 3060 f: +423 230 3062
IMI MHEALTH SOLUTIONS LTD
Regus, Davidson House, Forbury Square, Reading RG1 3EU
t: +44 1189 000 600 f: +44 1189 000 601
@ info@imi-health-technology.com
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