Asthma Patients Monitored via Wireless Link

A pioneering system for diagnosing and monitoring severe asthma and heart patients was recently launched in London. Funded by the European Commission and implemented by Cable & Wireless Communications, the program gives portable monitoring devices to patients who then record their breathing patterns up to four times daily. Data is relayed to a central-management system for processing. Results go to patients' doctors over a secure Internet service. The monitoring device records lung function along with date and time, temperature and humidity, and surrounding air-pollution levels.