Medical Devices, Consumer Electronics to Connect Via USB

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announced the formation of a working group to define a USB Personal Healthcare Device Class specification.

This will enable medical devices to connect via USB to consumer electronic products.

USB-IF said the interoperability of medical devices and consumer electronic products will "facilitate the communication between patient and doctor, individual and fitness coach or elderly person and a remote caregiver."

The group said it has begun investigating requirements and device class architecture and the new Personal Healthcare Device Class should be available for use near the end of 2007.