There are many medical devices on the market today that can be run off an iPad or iPod. What’s so great about these iOS-enabled devices? For starters: they’re easy to use, they’re hooked up to the Web, and they’re super portable. They will prove useful in the clinic thanks to these characteristics. Plus, patients with iOS devices at home can start taking a more active role in their own care too.

Let’s discuss a few examples of these devices.

 1) An Electrocardiogram for the iPhone or iPad: the iPhoneECG

This design, from Alivecor and Oregon Scientific, features a snap-on case for your iPhone that has two electrodes embedded in it. Press your tricked-out iPhone against your chest to capture data on your heart rate immediately. Although it’s not as accurate as a clinical electrocardiogram for many reasons, it’s still useful for people wishing to access data about their heart rates or for caregivers looking to have a quick diagnostic tool handy. Plus, we anticipate that the technology for devices such as this one will improve rapidly, so if you’re not yet satisfied with how it seems to run, just wait five minutes.

 2) A Pulse Oximeter for the iPhone: the ECEM Pulse Oximeter

Those from the health field are familiar with the pulse oximeters most patients have clipped to a finger. The clip beams light through the patient’s tissue and can measure the light received to tell what percentage of oxygen is saturated in the blood. Now, the pulse oximeter is poised to break free from the walls of hospitals and be put in the hands of the people… Those who might want to monitor the oxygenation of their bloodstream that can fluctuate as a result of heart of lung problems such as emphysema.

Another use of this peripheral? In the developing world, where it can be used to monitor blood oxygen levels of patients under anesthesia and reduce higher death rates during anesthesia in the developing world.

3) An Ultrasound for the iPhone (soon?): the MobiUS SP1 Ultrasound Imaging Device

This device is seriously cool. Its price is extremely reasonable compared to the cost of a regular standalone ultrasound imaging device. It can capture images you can email immediately from the device. We predict it’ll be particularly useful for rural doctors and home care givers. The MobiUS isn’t available *yet* for the iPad or iPhone because it plugs in via a USB port. If the new iPad will have a USB port and we can’t imagine MobiUS not trying to expand into being able to run on iOS devices.

This guest post was written by Katie Matlack, Medical Market Analyst at Software Advice. Learn more about Software Advice.