Sequoia backs Airstrip to let doctors watch you remotely

Airstrip Technologies, a mobile software company that specializes in remote patient monitoring, announced today it closed an undisclosed round of financing from venture firm Sequoia Capital.

Airstrip’s mobile applications let doctors monitor their patients’ vital signs and other data from anywhere. The San Antonio, Tex. company offers what it calls the OBSERVER Suite, which includes applications focused on cardiology, critical care, imaging and laboratory information. Its monitoring technology received Food and Drug Administration approval last month.

Airstrip is just one of a myriad of companies that are pushing toward a Star Trek-like future filled with gizmos designed to keep us safe remotely. For instance, Proteus is developing pills that can track medication compliance on the part of patients. Corventus is making bandages that can relay cardiac data in real time. Triage Wireless has developed a device that remotely monitors blood pressure without arm cuffs. And companies like Zeo and NeuroVigil are developing patches that let doctors monitor patients’ brains from afar.

This type of mobility is expected to save hospitals and patients money. For example, in the future, people may no longer have to spend the night in a laboratory in order to determine whether they have sleep apnea, which affects 15 million Americans. Remote devices could be given to patients instead so that doctors can give a diagnosis from somewhere else in the world.

“We are honored to have the Sequoia name attached to our team as we work to raise the standard of care in patient monitoring both in the U.S. and globally.” said Cameron Powell, co-founder and president of AirStrip.