BTG Grants Newlife License for Medical Monitoring Technology

GULPH MILLS, Pa., Feb. 21 -- BTG, a global technology commercialization company, has granted a license to Newlife Technologies Inc. in Midlothian, Va., for a non-invasive medical sensor technology. The technology is based on the configuration of a fiber optic coupler that behaves as a contact strain gauge, sensitive to localized body motions and low frequency vibrations of the body. Newlife will use this technology to launch its next generation of personal monitoring systems that will wirelessly stream physiological data from a user.
    Physiological measurements are safe because they are non-invasive, non-electrical, and non-conducting - the sensor does not come in contact with the skin. Fully functioning prototypes similar to the configuration of a wristwatch have been developed that can wirelessly stream physiological data from a patient. Existing physiological monitoring technology is limited to the use of wired electrical contacts and bothersome constrictive devices.
    "We are excited to have gained access to this highly developed technology that we will use to significantly enhance our existing heart rate monitoring product," said Steve Burton, president of Newlife Technologies.
    BTG acquired the rights to the technology in 1999 from Empirical Technologies Corp., a Virginia-based medical development and research company. BTG will continue to license this technology in other key application areas including the hospital market and other physiological monitoring applications.