iPhone artery app created at Western

Your phone can now tell you whether or not that burger is a good idea.

A new iPhone application monitoring artery blockage has been developed by researchers of the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western.

The app creates ultrasound images of plaque inside a patient’s carotid artery and places them on a well protected website.

“Our vision is that patients can access their image and some key parameters they need to help manage their disease,” Femida Gwadry-Sridhar, a professor in the departments of medicine, physiology and pharmacology, who’s leading the project.

“No personal information is stored on the device,” Gwadry-Sridhar explained. “It is wiped once the security certificate expires.”

Currently, the goal is to conduct a pilot study, Gwadry-Sridhar said. This involves measuring “patient factor,” based on lifestyle and medication use, and collecting feedback from patients on how to improve the app.

“Following this pilot, we will conduct a randomized controlled trial where we can test the application in a rigorous manner. The timeframe to start the pilot would be later this year.”

Gwadry-Sridhar expected the app to expand to other devices, such as iPads.

“Whether the end-user pays for the app or the public payer system is able to absorb the cost is subject to discussion.”