Blue Spark Technologies, a Cleveland-based medical device manufacturer, is advancing oncology care through wearable health products. By addressing critical challenges like Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), a severe side effect of cancer immunotherapies, the company is improving patient safety and outcomes and making life-saving treatments more accessible.

In July 2022, Blue Spark joined the Digital Health Measurement Collaborative Community (DATAcc) by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) to contribute to advancing digital health. As a leader in wearable technology, Blue Spark was drawn to DATAcc’s “Advancing Digital Capabilities to Enable Digital Risk Prediction for CRS” project to support developers in predicting and managing the side effects of cancer immunotherapy.

The resources from this project empower developers to create advanced, trustworthy CRS de-risking products that enable earlier detection, improve patient safety, and expand access to life-saving immunotherapies. These CRS de-risking products would ease the burden on patients, carepartners, and healthcare systems by facilitating outpatient care and reducing the need for inpatient treatment.

Innovative solutions for early detection and management of CRS

These resources are essential for Blue Spark’s mission. The company’s TempTraq and VitalTraq platforms are already advancing the early detection and management of CRS, which often begins with rapid temperature elevation. TempTraq provides continuous, real-time temperature monitoring to identify fever. It detects CRS-related fevers up to 4.5 hours earlier, and neutropenia-related infection fevers up to 18.5 hours earlier, providing a critical window for early intervention. For patients recovering at home, TempTraq ensures timely alerts, reducing risks and enhancing safety and comfort. It also provides peace of mind for patients and caregivers by enabling continuous temperature monitoring without disrupting sleep.

VitalTraq incorporates additional vital signs that are also early warning signs of CRS, such as heart rate variability and blood pressure, providing a more comprehensive view of patient health. Together, these technologies enable remote monitoring, timely interventions, and reduced hospitalizations, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Shaping the future of CRS care

Through its work on the CRS project, Blue Spark has contributed its expertise and data from nearly 20 clinical studies from leading cancer treatment institutions to support the development of DATAcc’s new resources. Blue Spark’s studies consistently demonstrate the safety, effectiveness, and earlier fever detection capabilities of continuous monitoring, providing the evidence to establish these solutions as the standard of care. Blue Spark’s collaboration with DATAcc and the resulting resources has made it easier for clinicians, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies to adopt these technologies.

A future focused on patient care and accessibility

By supporting the adoption of DATAcc’s resources, Blue Spark contributes to a shift in oncology care that prioritizes patient safety, improves outcomes, and enhances accessibility to life-saving treatments. Remote monitoring solutions like TempTraq and VitalTraq enable more patients to receive treatment at home, reducing costs, improving comfort, and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.

Through its collaboration with DATAcc, Blue Spark is helping shape the future of oncology care. As a result of its DATAcc participation, Blue Spark has partnered with Takeda, also a project partner, on an ongoing clinical study. It is expected to produce data later this year, demonstrating the value of the recommendations from the CRS project. This collaboration highlights Blue Spark’s commitment to integrating technology with industry-aligned resources to ensure patients receive the highest level of care. Blue Spark is confident that the CRS initiative will deliver meaningful results, advance the field, and significantly impact patients in need.

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DATAcc projects focus on advancing digital health measurements by developing new evidentiary frameworks and measures in a pre-competitive environment. Join a broader group of leaders across the healthcare ecosystem to establish and execute a shared vision of high-quality digital health measurement that is easily accessible and beneficial for everyone. Learn about joining an upcoming project here.