Digital medicine just got a boost because Scripps Health announced a $3.75 million grant from the Qualcomm Foundation. Some are saying this will help the push to revolutionize healthcare.

The Scripps Translational Science Institute will use the money to develop innovative digital technologies.

Dr. Eric Topol, chief academic officer of Scripps Health and director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla, said the money will help advance clinical trials of wireless bionsensor systems, diagnostic tests and embedded sensors for predicting certain types of illnesses.

Three of the high-priority programs include:

The wireless sensors are expected to be able to predict and track heart attacks, Type 1 Diabetes and certain types of cancer. Topol said although the idea is futuristic, these sensors could help predict a heart attack one or two weeks before it would even happen.

He said the money to help fund a three-year program is important because it allows for thorough testing of these devices.

One of the most important parts of this whole program of our digital medicine is to prove that these very exciting technologies fulfill their promise, he said.

Topol also said San Diego is at the forefront of digital medicine in the country.

"We're just in a great area to tap into many of these innovative technologies to test them and hopefully advance them into daily care, Topol said.

He said not only are the healthcare technologies becoming more efficient, they are also becoming more affordable due to wireless technology. For example, sleep laboratories in hospitals charge about $3,000 a night, Topol said. Instead of having to spend a night in an unfamiliar room strapped to equipment, wireless technology can make the same diagnoses for less than $100.

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Digital Medicine at Scripps Health Boosted With $3.75 Million Grant