Imec Netherlands has demonstrated a new type of wireless body area network (BAN). The Human++ BAN platform converts Imec’s ultra-low-power electrocardiogram sensors into wireless nodes in a short-range network, transmitting physiological data to a hub — the patient’s cellphone.

From there, the readings can be forwarded to doctors via a Wi-Fi or 3G connection. They can also be displayed on the phone or sound an alarm when things are about to go wrong, giving patients a chance to try to slow their heart rates and avoid an unnecessary shock.

It can also work with other low-power medical sensors, such as electroencephalograms (EEGs) to monitor neurological conditions or electromyograms to detect neuromuscular diseases.