Withings wants to go much further with the Body Scan health station than with the previous smart scales, because in addition to measuring segmental body composition, the user receives a 6-channel ECG, support for detecting peripheral Neuropathies and access to science-based health plans.
Body Scan should enable the analysis of a number of biomarkers that support active health prevention. Body Scan takes cardiovascular measurements, including a 6-lead ECG, heart rate and vessel age. It is also said to help with a 30-second measurement in the detection of peripheral neuropathy – a restricted nerve activity that is widespread in diabetics. Through the app, Body Scan offers additional access to health experts and coaches, as well as personalized health plans designed to help users achieve their health goals. The programs, which were developed with doctors, provide medical advice based on the collected data on the topics of nutrition, sleep, exercise and mental health. >Sensors in the handle for precise body analysis
The additional handle enables two new measurements: enhanced analysis of total body composition and segmental body composition. An electrical signal is sent through electrodes in the scale and handle to provide a detailed picture of the entire body through multi-frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). In this way, Body Scan provides body composition indicators such as muscle, bone and fat mass for the entire body. In addition, it provides indicators such as extracellular and intracellular water and visceral fat. The latter serves as an indicator of excessive fat surrounding the vital organs in the abdomen and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Muscle and fat mass per body part
Users can view detailed measurements of each individual body part, including the torso, individual arms and legs. This is intended to provide a better understanding of the distribution of muscle and fat mass for each body part in order to be able to work on specific parts of the body. Regular measurements can be used to track changes in specific body parts.
In addition to the newly recorded data, Body Scan is also the most precise scale on the market, according to Withings, thanks to new sensors, as it works with an accuracy of up to 50 grams.
Heart rate, ECG and vascular age
Because cardiovascular disease is often associated with weight issues, Body Scan is designed to provide information on cardiovascular biomarkers—including heart rate, ECG detection of atrial fibrillation, and Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV)-based vascular age—with each weigh-in. which is considered an indicator of arterial health. It is automatically classified as optimal, normal, or suboptimal. PWV looks at the propagation speed of the heartbeat pressure wave along the aorta and arterial tree and is related to blood pressure and degree of arterial hardening.
The 6-channel ECG is also recorded via the two electrodes on each side of the handle and two electrodes in the scale. The algorithm, which Withings said was trained on thousands of ECG signals at the Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou in Paris, displays the results directly on the device's LCD and in the associated Withings app. The readings can also be shared with doctors as a PDF.
Technical data & Availability
Withings Body Scan consists of a single tempered glass platform that includes an extendable handle. The health station contains four weight sensors and 14 ITO electrodes within the platform and handle for recording 6-lead ECG and for segmental body composition analysis. Withings promises a one-year battery life and allows charging via the included USB cable. The Body Scan has a 3.2″ LCD display that shows statistics and can stream live ECG recordings.
Withings Body Scan (Image: Withings)Body Scan, which it says was developed together with cardiologists, diabetologists and neurologists, is expected to be available in the second half of 2022 after CE approval. The price is expected to be EUR 299.95. The market launch is planned in black and white.
Update 06.01.2022 21:20
Withings has now made many details and explanations about Body Scan available on the health station's homepage made.
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Body segmentation (Image: Withings)
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Nerve activity (Image: Withings)
Timeline in the app (Image: Withings)
Withings Body Scan (Image: Withings)Pictures from the app also give a first impression, how the information could be presented graphically, and a video showing how the display should work in the scale.
Update 12/06/2022 5:49 p.m.
The Withings Body Scan is now available in Germany in small quantities. Instead of the EUR 299.95 that was targeted about a year ago, the health station costs EUR 399.95.
ComputerBase has received information about this article from Withings under NDA. The only requirement was the earliest possible publication date.