A wireless system to monitor mothers in labor and their fetuses has been introduced by Royal Philips NV in the U.S. Known as the Avalon CL Fetal and Maternal Pod and Patch, it is commercialized under recently updated guidance from the U.S. FDA. The Amsterdam-based company is continuing to pursue a standard 510(k) clearance for the system, which is marketed in European countries, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Denver-based Biointellisense Inc. has unveiled Biobutton, a coin-sized, disposable medical device that measures continuous temperature and other vital signs for 90 days. The device, coupled with HIPAA-compliant data services, permits remote data capture and continuous multiparameter monitoring of temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate at rest, body position, sleep and activity state.

Artificial intelligence-focused Chronolife SAS, of Paris, has secured class IIa medical certification from the EU for its smart T-shirt, which has the new brand name Keesense. The reusable, washable T-shirt is designed for comfortable, round-the-clock use. It works by transmitting data to a paired smartphone app via Bluetooth.

While many companies are looking to help monitor patients at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, 11 Health and Technologies Inc., of Irvine, Calif., is focused on those with chronic digestive diseases. The company recently said it was offering 12 weeks of free service using the Alfred Smartcare Platform to provide support for people with conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and ostomies.

Biofourmis Inc. has acquired Los Angeles-based Gaido Health from Takeda Pharmaceuticals in a move designed to significantly expand the company's oncology offerings. Gaido Health's solution will be integrated into Boston-based Biofourmis' Biovitals platform, enhancing its ability to remotely monitor oncology patients at home using a single sensor.

Spry Health Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., a company that focuses on health management technologies and remote patient monitoring, reported the launch of Loop Signal. This solution is a new clinician-led monitoring service using the U.S. FDA-cleared Loop System that aims to reduce avoidable hospital visits and improve at-home monitoring of patients who either have, are suspected of having or at risk for COVID-19.

As the cases of COVID-19 continue to mount around the world, hospitals and other providers are looking to virtual tools, apps and other products to help people check their symptoms and get advice on whether medical intervention is needed. To that end, Dublin-based Medtronic plc has launched two new tools to help clinicians assess, monitor and triage patients with respiratory symptoms and concerns about the coronavirus.

Zurich-based startup Ava Science Inc. recently issued a public call for partners and funding to further research the potential usefulness of its fertility wearable, known as Ava Bracelet, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Swiss researchers set out to identify and analyze vital sign data that could offer a window into predicting circulatory failure, which could enable more effective prevention of catastrophic events in the ICU.

In an effort to gain new insights about the novel coronavirus sweeping the globe, Boston-based Biofourmis Inc. is leveraging its artificial intelligence (AI)-driven remote monitoring platform to monitor Hong Kong patients diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19. The remote monitoring and disease surveillance program, which kicked off just a few days ago, is being administered by the University of Hong Kong and includes Biofourmis’ Hong Kong-based joint venture, Harmony Medical Inc.