Add 6 more health-tracking tools to latest round of crowdfunding

Six more companies looking for investors for their health-tracking tools or devices have signed up for crowdfunding campaigns through Indiegogo and Kickstarter.

The popular Internet fundraising sites have become a magnet for entrepreneurs in the medical device field--particularly those with smartphone apps--and are regularly tracked by online healthcare media. Below are the latest additions as reported by mobihealthnews.

  • MonBaby is a wireless sensor that tracks an infant's sleep patterns, breathing and movements and works in conjunction with a companion app. It can let parents know if their child turns over on their stomach and can alert them to other emergencies. The campaign ended last week, having raised $16,336 of its $15,000 goal.
  • iHeart Physiological Age System uses a finger oximeter to measure aortic stiffness that can give a snapshot of a user's overall internal health. The device and companion app give a "physiological" age based on the information. When a user changes their eating and exercise habits, and stress levels, the device shows a younger "physiological" age. So far, with under two months to go, the device has raised $10,853 of its $25,000 goal.
  • Memo Box uses a companion app to monitor what it calls a "smart" pillbox. The device is designed to remind users to take their medications and will only send a reminder if they don't open the box. It also reminds them if they left their medications at home. The company also sees the device as allowing caregivers to track whether a patient is taking their medications. With just over a month to go, Memo Box has raised $6,747 of its $50,000 goal.
  • Amiko is yet another medication reminder tool. It's designed to track inhaler usage. Additionally, the device features lights that help the user place the inhaler in the right position when taking their medication. The Amiko device comes with a companion app. With about a month to go, it has raised just $3,321 of its $50,000 goal.
  • Goodwell is for the oral crowd who want a connected toothbrush with a modern design. The company claims the brush will last a lifetime. It contains an accelerometer and a microcontroller that records data from brush movements that are sent to the user's smartphone via an app. Although not expected to launch until the spring of next year, it is expected to be available to ship ahead of the holidays. With just under a week to go, Goodwell has raised $2,602 of its $12,500 goal.
  • Biki is an app designed to help people hold fast to their diets. The name is an acronym for "bring insight, knowledge, innovation." Users take pictures with their smartphone of what they are eating and the app analyzes the user's eating habits as well as makes meal recommendations. Additionally, it offers recipes and a customizable grocery list. With just under a month to go, Biki has raised $260 of its $20,000 goal.
kGoal pelvic trainer and app, which raised $266,917, surpassing its $90,000 Kickstarter goal--Courtesy of Minna Life

Though not on the latest list of crowdfunding offerings, another Kegel exercise device using smartphone technology and a companion app has been launched. U.K.-based Chiaro is taking preorders for its Elvie device, which helps female users do Kegel exercises accurately as well as track them better.

In June, sexual health company Minna Life began accepting preorders on Kickstarter for its kGoal pelvic trainer device and app, which it claims is the world's first "smart" Kegel trainer.

- read the mobihealthnews list
- check out mobihealthnews' Elvie story