The world's biggest computer chip maker on Monday dove into the medical market with technology that lets doctors make house calls on patients without being there.

Intel Health Guide uses gadgetry and Internet connections to enable medical personnel to monitor the health of chronically ill people from afar.

Doctors and nurses can keep tabs on heart functions, blood sugar levels and other health factors of at-home patients and then manage their care remotely, according to California-based Intel.

"The Health Guide is a step forward in offering more personalized and effective management of chronic health conditions in the home," said Intel Digital Health Group vice president Louis Burns.

"Intel has spent years researching the needs of both caregivers and patients, and we are now moving to launch a series of products that will help extend care from the hospital to the home."

Intel is working with care providers to test Health Guide and plans a series of studies in the United States focused on people with illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Health care services provider Advanced Warning Systems Inc. will use the Intel system to monitor retired athletes and military veterans considered high-risk for cardiovascular problems, according to Intel.

Health Guide provides tools to collect vital signs, maintain patient records, instruct patients and have video conferences.

Groups Intel is working with include the Mayo Clinic and the American Heart Association.

American Medical Alert Corporation, a US provider of remote patient monitoring devices, will be the first US partner for the Intel Health Guide, which is being marketed to care providers.