X-Message-Number: 17752 Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2001 07:16:30 -0400 From: Ben Best <> Subject: Remote monitoring of heartrate soon The FDA has just approved an implanted device that automatically sends heart function data to remote locations. The Biotronik Home Monitoring System, made by Biotronik, Inc of Oregon, is the first automatic device to receive such approval. The Lake Oswego company is a branch of the parent Biotronik located in Germany. Distribution of the product will be limited to 100 people in the US for the next six months for the purposes of further testing. The implications of such devices for cryonics purposes are tremendous. If cryonics organizations can receive instant notification of heart stoppage, this would contribute enormously to rapid response and reduction of ischemic damage. Unusually fast or slow heart rates or other cardiac abnormalities may even give warning of impending death or provide an alert that can avert death. Initially of value for standby and general monitoring of elderly & diseased members, such devices could eventually be combined with GPS systems available for all cryonicists who would seek full-time monitoring by their cryonics organization (shades of "Big Brother"). Contact information and background: Biotronic, Inc (503) 635-3594 6024 Jean Road Lake Oswego, OR 97035 http://www.msnbc.com/news/641482.asp http://www.biotronik.com/content/detail.php?id=178&_topnav=178&_topnav_aid=62&_bgcolor=666699 -- Ben Best http://www.benbest.com/ Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=17752