Empirical Health, a YC-backed startup focused on reinventing primary care, is hiring design engineers. They're seeking engineers with a passion for healthcare and experience building user-friendly interfaces for complex systems. These engineers will play a crucial role in designing and developing the company's core product, a technology platform aiming to streamline and improve the patient and physician experience within primary care. The ideal candidate is comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment and eager to contribute to a mission-driven company.
A US federal judge invalidated a key patent held by Omni MedSci related to non-invasive blood glucose monitoring. This ruling potentially clears a significant obstacle for companies like Apple, who are reportedly developing similar technology for devices like the Apple Watch. The invalidated patent covered a method of using light to measure glucose levels, a technique believed to be central to Apple's rumored efforts. This decision could accelerate the development and release of non-invasive blood glucose monitoring technology for consumer wearables.
Hacker News commenters discuss the implications of the patent invalidation, with some skeptical about Apple's ability to deliver a reliable non-invasive blood glucose monitor soon. Several point out that regulatory hurdles remain a significant challenge, regardless of patent issues. Others note that the invalidation doesn't automatically clear the way for Apple, as other patents and technical challenges still exist. Some express hope for the technology's potential to improve diabetes management, while others highlight the difficulties of accurate non-invasive glucose monitoring. A few commenters also discuss the specifics of the patent and the legal reasoning behind its invalidation.
Empirical Health, a YC S23 startup building AI-powered tools for faster medical diagnoses, is hiring Design Engineers in NYC. They're looking for experienced engineers proficient in frontend development (React, Typescript) and familiar with design tools like Figma, with a passion for improving healthcare. Successful candidates will contribute to building intuitive interfaces for complex medical data, collaborating closely with clinicians and researchers to translate research into user-friendly products.
Hacker News users discussed the high salary ($200k-$250k) offered by Empirical Health for a Design Engineer, questioning its justification. Some argued the role seemed more like a traditional mechanical or manufacturing engineer focused on medical devices, not warranting the "Design Engineer" title often associated with software. Others pointed out the increasing prevalence of high salaries in the medical device field due to its demanding nature and regulatory hurdles. Several commenters debated the value of a Master's degree for the position, some suggesting experience might be more valuable, while others emphasized the importance of a strong theoretical foundation for medical device design. A few comments also mentioned the potential impact of YC funding on inflated salaries. Finally, some users highlighted the overall growth and opportunity within the medical device sector.
A developer created "Islet", an iOS app designed to simplify diabetes management using GPT-4-Turbo. The app analyzes blood glucose data, meals, and other relevant factors to offer personalized insights and predictions, helping users understand trends and make informed decisions about their diabetes care. It aims to reduce the mental burden of diabetes management by automating tasks like logbook analysis and offering proactive suggestions, ultimately aiming to improve overall health outcomes for users.
HN users generally expressed interest in the Islet diabetes management app and its use of GPT-4. Several questioned the reliance on a closed-source LLM for medical advice, raising concerns about transparency, data privacy, and the potential for hallucinations. Some suggested using open-source models or smaller, specialized models for specific tasks like carb counting. Others were curious about the app's prompt engineering and how it handles edge cases. The developer responded to many comments, clarifying the app's current functionality (primarily focused on logging and analysis, not direct medical advice), their commitment to user privacy, and future plans for open-sourcing parts of the project and exploring alternative LLMs. There was also a discussion about regulatory hurdles for AI-powered medical apps and the importance of clinical trials.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43279220
Hacker News users discussed the Empirical Health job posting, focusing on the disconnect between the advertised "Design Engineer" role and the seemingly pure software engineering requirements listed. Several commenters questioned the use of "design" in the title, suspecting it was simply a trendy buzzword to attract talent. Others debated the actual meaning of "Design Engineer" in different contexts, with some suggesting it implied a focus on user experience and product design while others interpreted it as a more systems-oriented role involving architecture and implementation. Some users expressed skepticism about the company's approach to healthcare, while others were more optimistic. A few commenters also discussed the compensation and benefits offered.
The Hacker News post discussing Empirical Health's hiring of design engineers generated several comments, mostly focusing on the ambiguity of the "Design Engineer" role and the company's approach to healthcare.
Several commenters questioned the specific responsibilities of a "Design Engineer" at Empirical Health. They expressed confusion about whether the role leaned more towards software engineering, hardware design, or a hybrid of both, with some speculating it might involve designing physical spaces for healthcare delivery. This lack of clarity prompted calls for a more detailed job description.
One commenter highlighted the potential for mismatched expectations, suggesting that applicants with strong software backgrounds might be disappointed if the role heavily involved hardware or other non-software tasks. This concern underscores the importance of a precise job description to attract the right talent.
Another commenter, seemingly familiar with Empirical Health's work, offered insight into their approach. They described the company as aiming to automate routine primary care tasks using technology and suggested the "Design Engineer" role likely involves developing the hardware and software to achieve this automation. This comment provides valuable context for understanding the company's goals and the potential nature of the advertised role.
Several users discussed the broader challenges and opportunities within the healthcare industry. One commenter expressed skepticism about the feasibility of fully automating healthcare, emphasizing the importance of human interaction and empathy in patient care. This sparked a brief discussion about the potential role of technology in augmenting, rather than replacing, human healthcare providers.
Finally, one commenter mentioned the substantial funding secured by Empirical Health, suggesting this might be a factor influencing their approach to scaling and automating primary care services. This comment hints at the financial resources the company has at its disposal to pursue its ambitious goals.
In summary, the comments primarily revolve around the unclear nature of the "Design Engineer" role and the broader implications of Empirical Health's technology-driven approach to healthcare. The discussion highlights the need for clearer communication regarding job responsibilities and the ongoing debate about the appropriate balance between technology and human interaction in healthcare.