Overwatch launches real-time seizure monitoring app

Overwatch Technologies, a Texas-based medical technology company, has launched an Apple Watch compatible seizure detection and alerting application for epilepsy sufferers, built using machine learning algorithms.

According to Overwatch, the application sends an alert via text or telephone call along with location information to the user’s designated caregivers and contacts after detecting abnormal movement that could indicate a seizure.

The application is embedded into the Apple Watch and was developed in close collaboration with the epilepsy community. It is currently only open to users in the United States, and is supported by AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

“One of the biggest fears in our epilepsy community is not knowing when someone will have a seizure and making sure that they’re safe,” Stephanie Fokas, Director of Patent Advocacy for Overwatch Technologies, whose son experiences daily seizures, said in a statement.

“In addition to its monitoring and alerting functionality, the Overwatch application stores seizure data in an online diary and sends real time reports, which can be shared with caregivers and doctors,” Terry Fokas, Chief Executive Officer at Overwatch, explained.

“The seizure detection application is not a substitute for medical treatment, but a complementary technology that provides users, caregivers and doctors with a comprehensive analysis of the intensity, frequency and duration of seizure events,” he added.

This information can theoretically also help doctors to identify potential patterns or triggers that may cause seizures in the future for a specific individual user.

Overwatch Technologies was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. In addition to in-house software development, the company says it is acquiring emerging medical device and software companies which diagnose and monitor other neurological conditions.