Getting health data from inside your body

November 22, 2011 | Source: Technology Review
Implanted cardiac defibrillator

Hugo Campos' implanted cardiac defibrillator is visible in the chest x-ray shown here (credit: Hugo Campos)

Hugo Campos wants access to the data being collected inside his body by an implanted cardiac defibrillator. He says device makers are reluctant to make that information available, mostly for commercial reasons.

This is a new twist on the concept of open access, one that has emerged as implanted medical devices become more common and patients increasingly use wireless devices and smart-phone tools to track their health and take control of their care.