As you might guess, health-technology innovations relating to the COVID-19 pandemic are well represented among the winners of Fast Company’s first Next Big Things in Tech awards. But the winners and honorable mentions span a gamut of issues related to medical challenges, including a new device that makes dialysis less of a burden, tools for keeping people out of the hospital, and even a way for people with paralysis to control computers through brain waves.
See a full list of Next Big Things in Tech winners across all categories here.
Winners
Biospectal
For measuring blood pressure through smartphones
Using the camera on a smartphone, Biospectal’s OptiBP app can record a user’s blood pressure through a fingertip in just 20 seconds. The WHO is currently validating the technology in a large-scale global study.
For measuring blood pressure through smartphones
Using the camera on a smartphone, Biospectal’s OptiBP app can record a user’s blood pressure through a fingertip in just 20 seconds. The WHO is currently validating the technology in a large-scale global study.
Brightseed
For mapping plants’ chemical diversity and using it for medicine
The Forager platform leverages large-scale data processing and machine learning to get a deeper understanding of the compounds within plants to identify potential medical applications. For example, the company used it to identify a compound that it’s testing as a treatment for fatty liver disease.
For mapping plants’ chemical diversity and using it for medicine
The Forager platform leverages large-scale data processing and machine learning to get a deeper understanding of the compounds within plants to identify potential medical applications. For example, the company used it to identify a compound that it’s testing as a treatment for fatty liver disease.
Caption Health
For adding intelligence to ultrasounds
Caption Health’s ultrasound uses AI to guide healthcare providers through the imaging process and offer preliminary interpretations of scans. This year, the company used the technology to monitor cardiac impacts from COVID-19.
For adding intelligence to ultrasounds
Caption Health’s ultrasound uses AI to guide healthcare providers through the imaging process and offer preliminary interpretations of scans. This year, the company used the technology to monitor cardiac impacts from COVID-19.
ClosedLoop AI
For giving doctors new insight into health outcomes
This company’s technology predicts health outcomes for patients—whether they’re currently in the hospital or have been discharged—so doctors can make care plans to prevent readmission. It is a winner of Medicare’s AI health outcomes challenge.
For giving doctors new insight into health outcomes
This company’s technology predicts health outcomes for patients—whether they’re currently in the hospital or have been discharged—so doctors can make care plans to prevent readmission. It is a winner of Medicare’s AI health outcomes challenge.
Microsoft and Adaptive Biotechnologies
For using data to create a test for past COVID-19 infection
The tech giant teamed up with Adaptive Biotechnologies to create ImmuneCODE, an open-source database of immune responses to COVID-19, which they used to develop an affordable T cell test to detect past infection. The companies are using the platform to understand how the immune system reacts to the virus both after previous infection and post-vaccination.
For using data to create a test for past COVID-19 infection
The tech giant teamed up with Adaptive Biotechnologies to create ImmuneCODE, an open-source database of immune responses to COVID-19, which they used to develop an affordable T cell test to detect past infection. The companies are using the platform to understand how the immune system reacts to the virus both after previous infection and post-vaccination.
Outset Medical
For making dialysis less of a burden
Chronic kidney disease affects 15% of Americans. Outset’s compact Tablo dialysis machine, which combines water purification and dialysate production (which clears impurities out of the blood), can be used in both treatment centers and at home, increasing access for patients who can’t get to a dialysis center.
For making dialysis less of a burden
Chronic kidney disease affects 15% of Americans. Outset’s compact Tablo dialysis machine, which combines water purification and dialysate production (which clears impurities out of the blood), can be used in both treatment centers and at home, increasing access for patients who can’t get to a dialysis center.
