A Google patent for a wrist device aimed at killing cancer cells illustrates the search giant isn't backing off research and development of anti-cancer technology and disease treatment innovations, according to a Telegraph article.
The patent application, filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization, features a wearable for automatically modifying or destroying targets in the blood that may present an adverse health issue.
"As a further example, the target could be cancer cells; by selectively targeting and then modifying or destroying the cancer cells, the spread of cancer may be diminished," Google states in the patent filing, according to the Telegraph.
The report comes as a growing number of technology players are moving into the healthcare realm with new devices and apps aimed at everything from helping prevent health issues to improving treatment and the development of wearables and sensors for healthcare monitoring and health tracking.
One of the most high profile is Apple's new ResearchKit, focused on disease investigation efforts. Using the open source platform, medical researchers will have the ability to cull data through Apple's HealthKit and recruit participants for pilots and clinical trials.
In addition, about a month ago a Re/Code report stated Google was mulling a substantial investment in fitness tracker Jawbone, a move that could prove to be a win-win for both players aiming to forge deeper traction in the healthcare and fitness wearables market.
Google's cancer-fighting wearable patent application, called "Nanoparticle Phoresis," says the device could focus on cells, hormones, proteins, enzymes and molecules in blood that negatively impact a human body. Bad cells may be destroyed or changed through energy transmission in blood vessels, using either a magnetic field, radio frequency, infrared or other light signal or even an acoustic pulse, according to Telegraph.
For more information:
- read the article
Related Articles:
Reports: Wearables primed for big growth, with Apple Watch driving adoption
Jawbone may be next big connected device investment for Google
Wearables must align to consumer needs for longtime adoption
Sensor-based skin patch may bode new care level in diabetes treatment
Apple ResearchKit aims to improve medical studies
Study: Wearables need better sensors to help MS treatment efforts