Las Vegas physician’s MedWand at CES echoes ‘Star Trek’ device
Doctor McCoy’s tricorder of “Star Trek” fame exists, and a Las Vegas physician had a hand in making it so.
The MedWand, a medical device that allows physicians to examine patients remotely anywhere in the world, tied for first place Thursday in Last Gadget Standing, an annual competition at CES that pits cutting-edge technology products against one another to determine the one most likely to succeed.
The MedWand tied with an over-the-ear speech translator on the basis of a too-close-to-call audience applause measurement. Dr. Samir Qamar, CEO of MedWand Solutions Inc., presented the product during the program at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
CES describes Last Gadget Standing as a proving ground for new products. Past winners have included the Roomba and OnStar, as well as a few products that didn’t quite go the distance.
Organizers say this year’s event drew hundreds of applications. A panel of judges chose 10 finalists that then were evaluated by audience members at Thursday’s presentation.
The MedWand incorporates 10 of the most commonly used medical diagnostic devices in a single device, “and it’s all in the palm of your hand,” Qamar said. It can be used to diagnose thousands of medical conditions, he said, and “your doctor can examine you anywhere on the planet over the internet” with the device.
“For many years, we had patients go to a doctor to be examined. Now you can be examined wherever you are,” he said. “I can sit right here in Las Vegas and examine a patient on a beach or on a battlefield.”
“It may sound cliched,” Qamar said, “but MedWand saves lives.”
The MedWand shared its first-place win with the Ambassador Interpreter, a translation tool designed for professionals and travelers that promotes smooth conversation.
Other finalists were:
■ The Lioness Vibrator, which offers analytical feedback that allows women to maximize their sexual pleasure.
■ Octobo, a plush robot-like education and play toy for kids.
■ The WOWCube, a high-tech iteration of the Rubik’s Cube that also is an educational toy and digital assistant.
■ Orbi WiFi 6 mesh, a latest-generation Wi-Fi technology.
■ ClearUP Sinus Pain Relief, which uses microcurrents to ease sinus pain.
■ The Phyn Smart Water Assistant, a home water use and leak detection device.
■ The Flic 2, which allows the addition of smart buttons to apps.
■ The DoodleMatic Mobile Game Maker, which can turn kids’ handmade drawings into playable games.
TV show host and tech writer Jennifer Jolly, who hosted the event, called this year’s roster of finalists “by far the best” in 20 years. Jolly declared the MedWand and Ambassasdor Interpreter this year’s “co-winners.”
“I think there are two clear winners this year,” she said, marking “the first time in Last Gadget Standing history we will crown two winners. We will make sure that we have two plaques.”
Contact John Przybys at jprzybys @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280. Follow @JJPrzybys on Twitter.