Philips Electronics Testing TV Product

ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) -- Royal Philips Electronics NV said Friday that it is developing a television-based product that will allow patients suffering from chronic diseases to receive "virtual office visits" from their doctors.
The company launched a pilot study in New Jersey earlier this month with 60 chronic heart failure patients. Philips said each patient received a set-top box and home monitoring devices so they can take their own blood pressure and access personalized medication schedules.

Doctors and family members can monitor patients using the system, Philips said. Cable company Comcast Corp. provided broadband data connections and modems for the study.

Philips said the companies expect to finish the pilot study by the end of January.