During CES 2024, Withings unveiled its new BeamO 4-in-1 home health scanner that is fitted with a variety of tools that can help people conduct self-check-ups and is considered to be the "thermometer of the future."
The new product is considered a "multiscope" that combines ECG, pulse oximeter, stethoscope, and thermometer sensors into a single device. According to Withings, which is primarily known for its lineup of iPhone-connected smart scales, the BeamO health scanner can not only measure temperature but also provide feedback on a person's heart and lung health.
Withings' New BeamO Health Scanner
The device has electrodes along its side that allow it to detect a person's blood oxygen levels as well as their heart rate. It is also capable of performing a 1-lead ECG, which is similar to the Apple Watch ECG function.
The BeamO's temperature scanner detects body temperature from the temporal artery and it comes with a Piezoelectric disc. The latter allows the device to capture chest or back acoustic sound waves that can be provided to a physician during a telehealth appointment, as per MacRumors.
Withings said that its new BeamO 4-in-1 home health scanner is capable of providing a body checkup in under a minute. It would alert users to fever, infection, and possible cardiovascular issues such as atrial fibrillation.
The device is smaller than a smartphone and was designed to address the limitations of post-pandemic telemedicine. The multiscope analysis incorporates advanced sensors that are capable of interpreting blood flow patterns, temperature, and acoustic information to provide a comprehensive health scan.
BeamO ensures a secure and complete health record by syncing seamlessly with the Withings app via WiFi. It also offers enhanced capabilities within the Withings App for tracking individual and family health journeys.
The Thermometer of the Future
Users will be able to record, share, and review their health statistics over time, including interpretations and actionable advice. The app also facilitates the upload of family medical histories, medication details, and side effects to promote comprehensive health management, according to UberGizmo.
In monitoring a person's heart health, the BeamO scanner utilizes Photoplethysmography (PPG) and electrodes. The device performs blood oxygenation (SpO2) and heart rate readings simultaneously.
The BeamO device is also equipped with a cutting-edge digital stethoscope that can provide results that can be heard through headphones and shared with health professionals. The reveal of the scanner also included its retail price which would start at $249.95 and will be first available in June 2024, pending clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for its ECG capability.
Withings' latest product reveal comes after it made headlines during CES 2023 when it showcased its urinalysis tool that was based on toilet readings. The president of the company, Eric Carreel said that BeamO is a "transformative multiscope device."
He added that the health scanner will revolutionize the measurement of the core vitals that are carried out during medical visits from the comfort of an individual's own home. Carreel said that this crucial data will provide a crucial overview of a person's overall health or notify them of early warning signs of potential areas of concern, said VentureBeat.
