Which Health Tech Brands Make the Best Devices?

Withings always shows up to CES with a futuristic health tech device in tow, and this year is no different. The company’s latest gadget is the $249.95 BeamO, a so-called multiscope that measures your temperature, takes electrocardiograms, reads blood oxygen levels, and works as a stethoscope to monitor heart and lung health.

The device itself resembles some of Withings’ other contactless thermometers, but it contains photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, electrodes, a digital stethoscope, and a second-gen version of the infrared temperature sensor in the Withings Thermo. You’re probably more familiar with PPG sensors as the green LED you find in most smartwatches that measure heart rate by shining light into the skin. The sides of the BeamO also have electrodes to enable EKG readings for atrial fibrillation detection.

Like Withings’ Thermo thermometer, the BeamO will take contactless temperature readings from the temporal artery.
Image: The Verge

But more interesting is how Withings has managed to stick a stethoscope into the mix. It does this by including a piezoelectric disc. The gist is the disc captures acoustic noise from your chest or back and then converts it into an electric signal that can be read by the BeamO. (This is how many electronic stethoscopes work.) The device also has a USB-C to headphone jack adaptor so you can listen in before transferring the audio to the Withings app. In telehealth sessions, you can also stream the audio directly to your provider.

These are all measurements that you can already take at home. You could buy a stethoscope, infrared thermometer, and pulse oximeter, and many smartwatches have similar single-lead EKG functions. Many wearables already let you save your data in PDFs that can be shared with doctors. The novel thing here is condensing them all into a single device that can be shared within a family.

The BeamO is a 4-in-1 device that measures temperature and blood oxygen levels and takes EKG readings. It also doubles as a stethoscope.
Image: The Verge

Of course, there are some other factors at play, too. The EKG and AFib detection features will need to undergo the FDA clearance process. Withings says in its press release that it expects the BeamO to go on sale in June this year, but if I had a dollar for every time a health tech company failed to hit their initial FDA clearance estimates, I’d be a millionaire.

Withings in particular has had so-so luck with announcing a gadget at CES and getting timely FDA clearance. It introduced its Move ECG watch at CES 2019, but that product never actually made it to the US. At CES 2020, it introduced the ScanWatch, which also had EKG testing and sleep-related SpO2 monitoring features. However, it took the watch nearly two years to actually go on sale in the US. Meanwhile, the company announced the Withings Body Scan, a smart scale with EKG features, at CES 2022, but it took until August 2023 to get FDA clearance. We’re still waiting on the U-Scan, the at-home urinalysis device Withings brought out for CES 2023.

In any case, Withings has clearly invested a lot of resources in the past few years in building out its at-home health platform. The BeamO is just the latest entry in that ecosystem. It just might take a hot second before Withings can fully realize its telehealth vision.

Comprehensive Health Monitoring

The Withings BeamO is designed to be a comprehensive health monitoring tool, combining multiple diagnostic functions into a single, portable device. This makes it a versatile tool for both personal and telehealth use.

Withings BeamO is a 4-in-1 device that measures temperature, blood oxygen levels, and takes EKG readings. It also doubles as a stethoscope.
Image: Engadget

The BeamO integrates an ECG, thermometer, oximeter, and stethoscope, allowing users to measure heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen levels, and lung health. This combination of features makes it a powerful tool for monitoring various health parameters at home. The device uses photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors to measure heart rate and blood oxygen levels, while the thermometer uses an upgraded version of the infrared sensor found in the Withings Thermo. The stethoscope function is enabled by a piezoelectric disc that captures acoustic noise from the chest or back and converts it into an electric signal.

The BeamO's ability to take multiple measurements in one device is particularly useful for telehealth. Users can share their health data with healthcare providers in real-time, making remote consultations more effective. The device's data can be stored in the Withings app, which supports multiple user profiles, making it suitable for family use.

Sources: The Verge, Engadget, NotebookCheck

FDA Approval and Market Release

One of the significant hurdles for the Withings BeamO is obtaining FDA approval, particularly for its ECG and AFib detection features. Withings has a history of delays in getting FDA clearance for its products, which could impact the BeamO's market release.

The BeamO closely resembles Withings Thermo infrared thermometer, and takes readings in the same way.
Image: NotebookCheck

Withings has announced that the BeamO will be available for purchase in June 2024, but this timeline is contingent on FDA approval. The company has faced similar challenges with previous products, such as the ScanWatch and Body Scan, which experienced significant delays before receiving FDA clearance. The BeamO's innovative features, such as its AFib detector, will likely undergo rigorous evaluation by the FDA, which could delay its market release.

Despite these potential delays, the BeamO's comprehensive health monitoring capabilities make it a promising addition to Withings' product lineup. The device's ability to take multiple measurements quickly and accurately could make it a valuable tool for both personal and telehealth use.

Sources: The Verge, NotebookCheck, Engadget

User Experience and App Integration

The Withings BeamO is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple interface and seamless integration with the Withings app. This makes it easy for users to take measurements and track their health data over time.

Withings BeamO at-home multiscope augments telehealth visits with a 4-in-1 vital sensor.
Image: Gadget Flow

The BeamO features a joystick controller that allows users to cycle through its various functions, including ECG, SpO2, stethoscope, and temperature measurement. The device's lightweight design makes it easy to handle, and its long battery life ensures that it can be used for extended periods without needing to be recharged.

The Withings app plays a crucial role in the BeamO's functionality. It provides users with detailed explanations of their health data, as well as actionable advice based on their measurements. The app also supports multiple user profiles, making it suitable for family use. Users can share their health data with healthcare providers in real-time, making remote consultations more effective.

Sources: Gadget Flow, Engadget, NotebookCheck

Potential Impact on Telehealth

The Withings BeamO has the potential to significantly impact the telehealth industry by providing a comprehensive health monitoring tool that can be used at home. This could make remote consultations more effective and reduce the need for in-person visits.

The BeamO held up to someone's chest in stethoscope mode.
Image: Tech Advisor

The BeamO's ability to take multiple measurements quickly and accurately makes it a valuable tool for telehealth. Users can share their health data with healthcare providers in real-time, making remote consultations more effective. The device's data can be stored in the Withings app, which supports multiple user profiles, making it suitable for family use.

The BeamO's innovative features, such as its digital stethoscope and AFib detector, could also make it a valuable tool for detecting and monitoring various health conditions. This could reduce the need for frequent in-person visits and make healthcare more accessible for people who live in remote areas or have mobility issues.

Sources: Tech Advisor, Gadget Flow, Engadget

Conclusion

The Withings BeamO is a promising addition to the company's lineup of health monitoring devices. Its ability to take multiple measurements quickly and accurately makes it a valuable tool for both personal and telehealth use. However, the device's market release is contingent on FDA approval, which could cause delays. Despite these potential challenges, the BeamO's innovative features and user-friendly design make it a promising tool for comprehensive health monitoring.

Sources: The Verge, Engadget, NotebookCheck, Gadget Flow, Tech Advisor