Heart Protection Without Disruption

A heart attack occurs in the United States every 40 seconds, and approximately 1 in 5 are silent, meaning damage 
can occur without the individual’s awareness [1]. Individuals at highest risk include those with diabetes, high blood cholesterol, and smokers [1]. Approximately 200,000 heart attacks in the USA alone happen to people who have 
already experienced one [1]. For these higher-risk populations, new preventative technologies may offer improved 
protection.

The Jewel Patch by Element Science is an innovative device that aims to provide comfort for high-risk patients while also allowing them to live their daily lives with minimal disruption. The Jewel received FDA approval in May 2025 with an overall goal to create a more discreet, waterproof defibrillator that can be used for up to 8 days [2].

The other defibrillators on the market are bulkier vests that wrap over the shoulders, with an electrode belt. These devices also have a monitor that is attached that continuously records heart rate. In the preliminary safety and effectiveness study for the Jewel, the inappropriate shock rate was 0.36/100 patientmonths, with 8 of the 9 shocks being successful with a single shock [3]. The Jewel Patch is able to connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to a smartphone to provide information on the device status, as well as directly report to physicians if the patient has received a shock [2]. The defibrillator uses machine learning algorithms that can help identify when an intervention is required.

The Jewel Patch is the first of its kind that can be worn in the shower, addressing a key limitation of existing solutions.This advancement represents a meaningful step toward continuous, unobtrusive cardiac protection for high-risk patients.

Article written by Jennifer Joanna-Joan Villeneuve,
M.ESc Biomedical Engineering Candidate, B.ESc Mechatronic Systems & B.ESc Biomedical Engineering

References
[1] CDC, “Heart Disease Facts,” Heart Disease. Accessed: Apr. 10, 2026. [Online]. Available: 
https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
[2] “Element Science.” Accessed: Apr. 10, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://elementscience.com/
[3] J. Hummel et al., “A Patch Wearable Cardioverter-Defibrillator for Patients at Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest,” 
JACC, vol. 84, no. 6, pp. 525–536, Aug. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.04.063

Back To Medical Marketing