The new frontier

Silicon developers are exploiting the increasing opportunities in the medical electronics field. Philips has taken up the idea of extending an entertainment platform with its Motiva project to deliver in home care to patients via broadband set top box. The Tufts-New England Medical Center found automated home monitoring (AHM) could reduce hospitalization for heart failure by 72% and for cardiac treatment by 63% in length. Some silicon developers are delivering silicon for specific medical devices, such as the latest generation of hearing aids, glucose, monitors, and pacemakers. Databeans' products deliver greater semiconductor revenues including blood glucose meters, ultrasound equipment, and digital thermometers. OEMs are designing smaller monitors that are simple to use, which require small packages.