Doctors can now analyze patients’ heart rhythms remotely, even when they are half way around the world. The new Spyder cloud-based heart monitor, which continuously records an electrocardiogram, just received marketing approval in Europe.

Developed by Singapore-based WEB Biotechnology, the Spyder allows for continuous long-term heart monitoring of patients with data stored in the cloud and readily accessible to physicians. The lightweight recorder wirelessly pairs an inconspicuous leadless sensor attached to the chest with a dedicated smartphone to display the ECG and to transmit signals to WEB’s secured server. The sensor can be worn for up to three days on a single charge, increasing the likelihood of detecting abnormal heart rhythms that may otherwise not be detected.

WEB Biotechnology says the system is meant to replace traditional hospital remote monitoring systems, which are wired recorders that are bulky and limited to a maximum of two days of continuous monitoring. Long-term recorders must also be returned to the hospital for physician analysis.

Data from the Spyder monitor is transferred wirelessly via bluetooth to a company-provide smartphone optimized for use as a transmitter of ECG information to WEB’s secure server. Physicians can then accesses the data directly from the server for analysis. This allows the patient to be anywhere in the world that has smartphone-enabled service. The Spyder system is already available in Singapore and Malaysia.