Heart disease remains the world’s leading cause of death. For millions of patients, continuous cardiac monitoring means frequent hospital visits, complex device setups, and constant worry about connectivity failures during critical moments.
What if clinical-grade ECG monitoring could work as simply as applying a patch — with instant cellular connectivity built in to keep healthcare workers updated and protect patients?
Sony’s Altair and Texas Instruments have developed that solution in a revolutionary new device: ultra-low power ECG patches with edge AI capabilities that connect automatically to cellular networks – delivering hospital-grade cardiac data directly to healthcare providers without any patient setup or maintenance requirements.
Instant Connectivity Without Patient Intervention
The patches integrate Sony’s Altair ALT1350 System-on-Chip, which connects to the network securely the moment the patch comes into contact with skin. There’s no need for Bluetooth® pairing protocols or Wi-Fi configuration — although the patch offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections as a backup in case of a cellular network outage. Additionally, patients don’t need to download an app or use a specialized device. Everything is handled automatically.
Devices integrated from Texas Instruments include: TI’s CC3551 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth® Low Energy Module to TI’s CC3551E Wi-Fi + Bluetooth® Low Energy wireless MCU, general purpose MCU with integrated edge AI capabilities, and clinical precision biosensing from AFE1593 analog front end.
Edge AI processing enables the platform to assign priority to detected arrhythmias, add intelligence to data transmission scheduling, and determine appropriate protocols that optimize both power consumption and data availability. Through multichannel biosensing with automated lead-off detection and motion-tolerant algorithms, the precision analog front-end captures clinical-grade ECG signals. This integrated approach maintains hospital-quality signal acquisition even during normal daily activities.
Patients gain continuous cardiac surveillance for up to 14 days on a single charge, sufficient for most diagnostic protocols while eliminating patient interaction requirements. Healthcare providers receive real-time ECG data through secure cellular transmission, enabling immediate intervention when cardiac events occur.
Why Cellular IoT Changes Healthcare Monitoring
Current remote ECG solutions often require short-range Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, which forces patients to pair devices, manage apps, or rely on smartphone batteries. Those dependencies can lead to data gaps or device failures, especially in emergencies or in situations where patients aren’t tech-savvy.
In contrast, cellular IoT solutions like the ALT1350 with integrated LTE-M and NB-IoT support and SIM-level security offer out-of-the-box device connectivity. Patients and caregivers don’t need to configure Wi-Fi or pair the device with a phone. It simply works securely and connects instantly wherever mobile networks operate.
This direct-to-cloud connectivity eliminates coverage gaps and ensures reliable, continuous data delivery to healthcare providers, reducing the risks of missed data due to dead phones, user error, or technical complexity. The result is improved care, faster intervention, and a better experience for both patients and clinicians.
Technical Integration for Medical-Grade Performance
The collaboration combines Sony’s Altair low-power cellular expertise with TI’s medical analog capabilities in a flexible, skin-conforming form factor. The solution delivers multichannel ECG acquisition with artifact reduction and real-time signal processing.
Power management optimizes battery performance through intelligent duty cycling and transmission scheduling. Rechargeable batteries support sustainable operations, while eco-friendly materials enable responsible manufacturing and disposal.
The integration meets medical standards for accuracy, data privacy, and biocompatibility while maintaining the ultra-thin profile required for patient comfort during extended wear periods.
Expanding Healthcare Access Through Reliable Connectivity
This cellular-first approach addresses persistent barriers in remote patient monitoring: geographic limitations, demographic accessibility, and emergency response capabilities.
Rural patients now have access to the same monitoring capabilities as urban patients with robust internet infrastructure. The always-on cellular connection eliminates coverage gaps that traditionally limit remote monitoring effectiveness.
Healthcare systems and patients benefit from reduced hospital re-admissions, earlier cardiac event detection, and the ability to monitor more patients remotely. Population health monitoring is now viable in areas where traditional telemedicine infrastructure remains limited.
The solution from Sony’s Altair and TI demonstrates how cellular IoT integration with precision analog technology can eliminate technical barriers that have prevented widespread adoption of remote cardiac monitoring. By prioritizing connectivity reliability over feature complexity, this collaboration enables clinical-grade heart health monitoring for patients regardless of their technical experience or geographic location.