Let’s say you are working in your yard in the year 2021 and you suffer what should be a “widow maker” heart attack. Somehow, you’re saved – through the grace of God and technology developed right here in the Triangle.

How so, you ask?

Let’s share a vision into a possible future.

First, a bit of backstory. I should have died digging tree roots out of my yard just one year ago. I had just passed a physical the day before. A 95-percent blockage in what my doctors called the “I-95 artery” in my heart and another blockage nearby produced what they called a “widow maker” attack.

So, taking better care of myself (diet, exercise, meds + technology) is a major priority. After all, I was fortunate to live and see my eldest son (Ross) married and now the wait begins for grandchildren (!) Maybe I will get to retire and enjoy more time with my wife Lynda and younger son Ryan as our family grows.

Now, I never go anywhere without a wearable health device on my wrist that tracks my heartbeat and other health indicators.

In my pocket is a small, metal canister containing nitro tablets for use in case of chest pain.

After rehab, three stents and a much improved overall health, I don’t see the need to always carry my smartphone while exercising now (on average 50 miles a week, running and walking) as I once did. But I never go anywhere in my car without it. You never know when you might need 9-1-1.

Fast-forward

Let’s think ahead five years from now, using my heart attack experience to set the table for the Triangle-tech-based rescue.

Here’s how the scenario could unfold:

1. My wearable device (a smartwatch with cell capabilities) vibrates as it detects my heartbeat rising to dangerous levels.

2. The same device warbles as my blood pressure soars. Silly me. I keep working.

3. Based on my medical records, the device vibrates and warbles a warning as pulse and BP hit danger levels..

4. Heeding the warnings and feeling searing pain, I pop a nitro pill.

5. Ten minutes later with no improvement, I pop a second. With no immediate relief, I decide to phone for help and try to lift my wrist to issue a voice dial command.

6. I pass out before completing the call. My device’s rapid data processing determines I’ve suffered a heart attack and places a 9-1-1 text message with what’s happening, my name and my GPS coordinates.

7. EMS is dispatched. Upon arrival they find me on the ground, unconscious. After a quick scan of my life signs, the nearby hospital (Wake Med Raleigh) is notified to expect a cardiac arrest.

8. Before placing me in the ambulance, the EMTs are notified of a massive traffic accident blocking New Bern Avenue on the way to Wake Med Raleigh. A one-person vertical take-off-and-landing drone is dispatched. (These are coming. Fast. Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs4nDFgVx2o )

9. The drone arrives. The surgical robot incorporated into the drone administers oxygen and monitors my life signs, perhaps administering another nitro en route.

10. Three minutes later, the drone lands on the WakeMed heliport where an emergency team is waiting. Within an hour, I have three new stents – and I’m still breathing.

God bless digital health.

The Triangle companies involved

Here are the Triangle companies that help keep me alive (again!) in this scenario:

  • Wearable biometric sensors from Valencell
  • Digital health records made accessible across all platforms by Validic
  • ​Remote assessment of what’s happening in my body from RelyMD
  • Fully autonomous drones for rescue equipped with software from PrecisionHawk
  • ​The brains in the drone to process medical data are Internet-of-Things linked to IBM’s Watson Health.
  • ​The robot on the drone stems from developments made at surgical robotic pioneer TransEnterix
  • Tying the data all together are mobile apps from MobileSmith
  • ​And the hospital (again!) provides fantastic service from nurses to surgeons to rehab because Axial Exchange helps the health team provide the best care – at the best price.

Far fetched? Unbelievable?

Not at all.

This kind of future is was discussed today at WRAL TechWire’s Executive Exchange event: The Future of Mobile Health.

Someday, mHealth will save your life.