A new low-cost technology offers a patient-focused platform for managing health information at home.

Cambridge Consultants has launched VenaHub, a wireless data collection and online data aggregation system that enables patients to manage chronic conditions and interact with their healthcare network.

VenaHub employs a small pocket device to capture data from a user's ecosystem of wireless medical devices, which it integrates into a customisable online health information portal.

"Current solutions in the telehealth space are expensive, which means none of the parties involved want to pay for them," said Mike Dunkley, Vice President of Cambridge Consultants. "But the novel, compact, and portable VenaHub is cheap and can plug into the USB port of any PC. Critically, it can also collect data from devices even when it's not plugged into a computer.

"This technology could not only disrupt the current medical home market, but could overcome the reimbursement barrier that has prevented connected health solutions from being widely deployed."

VenaHub's web interface enables users to select applications to suit their own needs and conditions. For example, an asthma patient could tailor their portal to see charts of their inhaler use, reminders of prescriptions or appointments, lung function data and the pollen forecast.

The technology is based on Cambridge Consultants' Vena wireless healthcare device platform, which incorporates the Bluetooth Health Device Profile for the secure transport of medical data.

"We believe VenaHub brings functionality that could accelerate widespread adoption of home health practices," said Paul Williamson, Head of Wireless Medical at Cambridge Consultants. "We have created a low-cost solution that could be brought to market quickly while targeting the move to mobile platforms in the medium term."

Cambridge Consultants, based in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (US), is a member of the Continua Health Alliance.

VenaHub