Introduction and Overview

It probably won’t surprise you that the Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the healthcare industry, creating new opportunities for improved patient care, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. However, (IoMT) looks to bring even more innovation to the healthcare sector. IoMT includes some systems that were already staples of IoT, such as remote monitoring systems and wearable technology devices. However, IoMT expands the field through implanted devices and other smart connected devices that can feed critical and expensive or hard-to-access data back to healthcare providers.

Market Highlights

The market for this technology now appears set to grow from approximately $48.7 billion in 2022 to $370.9 billion by 2032, at a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 23.15% (Source: Market.us). All signs suggest that North America will continue to be the most important region, given a market share of 35.8%. In comparison with other global regions, North America’s embrace of IoMT and the accompanying adoption of advanced healthcare technologies has been faster and more widespread. In turn, the availability of these technologies has driven demand for remote patient monitoring technologies and services.

The global COVID-19 pandemic also radically shifted the boundaries of medical technology, and it is no exaggeration to call this a turning point in the widespread adoption of IoMT devices in healthcare. During the pandemic, remote consultations, monitoring of vital signs, symptoms, and other health parameters, and vaccine distribution and administration have been widely adopted through IoMT devices. Moreover, the vast amount of health data generated during the pandemic has provided valuable insights for trend analysis and better-informed decision-making, leading to improved strategies for managing the pandemic and other healthcare challenges.

Trends Shaping Market Growth

There are several factors currently shaping the growth of IoT in healthcare. Technological advancements in connected devices, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing, have significantly improved the capabilities of IoMT devices and their potential impact on patient care. The increase in chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, has also led to a higher demand for remote patient monitoring. This presents a key opportunity for IoMT by allowing healthcare providers to monitor patients remotely and provide early intervention, with improved patient outcomes and decreased hospitalization rates and shorter stays.

In addition to these driving factors, several trending factors are shaping the future of healthcare delivery through the integration of IoT technologies. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, edge computing, blockchain, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and smart sensors, enables more efficient and personalized healthcare services. AI-enabled algorithms can perform in-depth real-time analysis on impossibly large amounts of health data streaming from IoMT devices. This analysis can identify patterns and trends for better decision-making and truly personalized treatment plans. Cutting-edge techniques and technologies like Edge Computing and widespread 5G also reduce latency and increase the speed of data transfers, enabling more data to move ever more easily. Taken together, these trends are leading toward a likely scenario where wearable tech alone will be worth $54 billion by the end of 2023 (Source: GlobalData).

IoMT Applications and Use Cases

IoMT devices are being used in various applications across the healthcare industry, including physiotherapy and sports/fitness therapy. Wearable medical devices, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, are expected to dominate the IoMT market, holding the largest share of 45% (Source: Market.us). These devices are widely used for personal health monitoring, fitness tracking, and chronic disease management, among other applications.

One of the key benefits of IoMT devices is their ability to enhance patient engagement and empower individuals to take control of their health. Wearable medical devices enable patients to track their physical activity, sleep patterns, heart rate, and other health parameters, to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle. Patients with chronic conditions can use IoMT devices to monitor their health parameters at home and share the data with their healthcare providers, enabling remote monitoring and personalized care plans.

Another major reason for the appeal of IoMT devices is their ability to improve patient safety and slash the costs of delivering healthcare. For example, medication dispensers with smart technology can help prevent medication errors by providing reminders and alerts to patients, ensuring timely and accurate medication administration. Smart hospital beds equipped with IoMT sensors can monitor patient movements, pressure points, and other parameters to prevent pressure ulcers and improve patient comfort.

For a deeper insight into IoMT, we’ll now consider the work of Softeq, a full-stack digital transformation and , in building firmware for a custom skin cancer screening device.

Case Study: Firmware for a Non-Invasive Custom Skin Cancer Screening Device

The use of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices has revolutionized the healthcare industry, with applications ranging from fitness tracking to chronic disease management. A medical device manufacturer with a specialization in skin cancer screening wanted to create a portable device that was capable of . The company turned to Softeq to test this idea’s viability and to create the firmware on which the device would ultimately run.

The Softeq team developed a complex hardware and software system using cutting-edge mobile hardware and software. The device had LED lights, a speaker, an accelerometer, a display, and other hardware components. It included a pair of photodetectors and a force sensor, collectively used to create a real-time visual representation of the patient’s skin.

The system observed how quickly blood was refilled in suspect skin lesions and analyzed the data using custom algorithms. It had firmware and software that included an audiovisual guide with error messages, LED lights calibrated to enhance the sensitivity of the photodetector, and the ability to store over 100 test results in its memory. The system also had a custom Linux BSP and drivers, built-in flash memory-based software, optimized Linux boot-time, firmware updates via USB, and secure login via SSH protocol.

Conclusion

It should be clear by now that IoT devices for healthcare and IoMT devices are completely transforming the health sector. However, there are a few things to be cautious of if you’re considering an internet of medical things project. In particular, the collection and transmission of sensitive patient data by IoMT devices pose significant concerns in terms of data privacy and security. In designing and constructing IoT in healthcare projects, it is vital to protect this data to safeguard patient privacy and comply with regulatory requirements like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Interoperability and standardization are also challenges, making it essential that you work with an experienced Healthcare like Softeq.

The bottom line is that IoMT devices are revolutionizing the healthcare industry by enabling remote patient monitoring, improving patient engagement, enhancing patient safety, and optimizing healthcare asset management. However, challenges related to data privacy, security, interoperability, and standardization need to be addressed to fully realize the potential of IoMT in improving patient care and outcomes. As technology continues to advance, IoMT is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare by enabling personalized, proactive, and patient-centric care.

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Berg Insight today released new findings about the mHealth market.

The number of remotely monitored patients grew by 44 percent to 7.1 million in 2016 as the market entered a growth phase fuelled by rising market acceptance in several key verticals.

This number includes all patients enrolled in mHealth care programs in which connected medical devices are used as a part of the care regimen. Connected medical devices used for various forms of personal health tracking are not included in this figure. Berg Insight estimates that the number of remotely monitored patients will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 47.9 percent to reach 50.2 million by 2021.

The two main applications are monitoring of patients with sleep therapy devices and monitoring of patients with implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices. These two verticals accounted for 80 percent of all connected home medical monitoring systems in 2016.

Anders Frick, Senior Analyst at Berg Insight, says:

“The number of remotely monitored sleep therapy patients grew by 70 percent in 2016, mainly driven by Resmed that has made connected healthcare a cornerstone of its strategy.”

Other leading vendors in this segment are Philips Respironics and SRETT. The CRM market is led by companies such as Medtronic, Boston Scientific and St. Jude Medical (now Abbott) that included connectivity in CRM solutions more than a decade ago. Telehealth is the third largest segment with 0.50 million connections at the end of the year. Leading telehealth hub vendors include Tunstall Healthcare, Honeywell, Cardiocom, Philips and Qualcomm Life. All other device categories – including ECG, g lucose level, medication adherence and others – stood for less than one million connections together.

Cellular connectivity has already replaced PSTN and LAN as the de-facto standard communication technology for most types of connected home medical monitoring devices. The number of mHealth devices with integrated cellular connectivity increased from 3.0 million in 2015 to 4.9 million in 2016. The use of BYOD connectivity will increase the most during the next five years, with a forecasted CAGR of 109 percent. BYOD involves low costs, but cannot be used to reliably connect every patient. The technology will be most useful for patient-centric engagement programs in therapeutic areas such as diabetes and asthma that have younger patient demographics compared to many other chronic diseases. In fact, many of these patients will prefer to use their own smartphone as the interface instead of carrying around a dedicated device for remote monitoring.

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High Tech Mobile Devices Can Help Today’s Seniors Keep Their Independence.

According to AARP’s Healthy@Home 2.0 study, 96% of seniors aged 65 and older want to live on their own for as long as possible. Medical alert devices enable seniors to stay independent longer, but most medical alert devices are landline-based and have an extremely limited range. More than one-third of American homes and 10.5% of seniors aged 65 and older live in wireless-only households and have no landline phone at all, according to the CDC. As more households and seniors abandon their landlines and landline-based emergency systems, families may wonder how to best protect their aging relatives.

Thanks to machine-to-machine (M2M) technology advances, mobile technology is providing seniors and their families with new emergency alert solutions.

Securus, Inc., maker of groundbreaking personal mobile safety and security products, offers eCare+Voice, which harnesses mobile communication and GPS technology to allow seniors to call for help anytime, anywhere without a landline phone connection. The compact device, which can be worn on a lanyard, stowed in a handbag or clipped to a keychain, features an SOS button that can instantly connect the user with an emergency care center, allowing two-way voice communication. Specialists can speak with and track the eCare+Voice user via GPS, dispatch local EMS and relay critical medical information to first responders. Caregivers can also locate the eCare+Voice user online anytime, via a free mobile app or by sending a text message.

Christopher D. Newton, President and CEO of Securus, Inc. said:

“We want to enable our aging loved ones to live independently for as long as possible, and new technology capabilities are making it easier for people to stay in their homes longer and feel free to travel or run errands while maintaining instant access to emergency assistance.”

“Next-generation M2M technology can provide seniors with an additional layer of safety wherever they go while also giving caregivers and loved ones more peace of mind.”

Today’s seniors are increasingly embracing technology, and with products like eCare+Voice, seniors can easily maintain their active, independent lifestyles. Securus is continuously developing new products in response to rising customer demand, using emerging mobile technology to create affordable devices that enhance personal safety and security.

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As exclusive wireless communications technology sponsor, Sierra Wireless offers healthcare startups innovative solutions for integrating wireless connectivity into new devices and applications to improve patient care.

Sierra Wireless today announced a sponsorship program with MedStartr, the first crowdfunding platform created to fund healthcare projects, startups, and innovations that help people live longer, healthier lives. As an exclusive sponsor, Sierra Wireless is the preferred provider of wireless communications technology for MedStartr companies.

With healthcare costs continuously rising, technological innovation is a key to increasing efficiency and controlling costs while maintaining high quality patient care and effectively managing chronic diseases. As a sponsor of MedStartr, Sierra Wireless is leveraging its experience working with healthcare companies around the world to provide wireless connectivity for equipment that helps healthcare providers and their patients manage conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and cognitive disabilities.

MedStartr’s unique, consultative approach for healthcare startup companies sets it apart from similar crowdfunding sites serving other industries. By collaborating with Sierra Wireless, MedStartr companies gain direct access to a full range of wireless connectivity solutions to accelerate their product development. Sierra Wireless solutions include a wide range of AirPrime embedded modules that provide 2G to 4G network access, a comprehensive set of development tools and software libraries to simplify their development process, and the AirVantage M2M Cloud, which provides management capabilities for devices in the field and enables the collection and integration of data from the devices with other back-end systems.

“We are very excited to have Sierra Wireless, a global leader in wireless communications, engaged with our innovative healthcare clients,” said Alex Fair, Founder and CEO of MedStartr.
“Many of our projects have developed great ideas that can benefit from a wireless communications link, and having access to a partner like Sierra Wireless will help them integrate and deploy quickly, speeding time to market and improving their chance of success. Healthcare is an extremely partner-driven industry and partnering with Sierra Wireless is a great move for many of our clients as they develop geo-specific and self-quantification solutions that can make us all healthier.”

“Healthcare is a growing market for wireless connectivity,” said Olivier Pauzet, Vice President of Market Strategy, Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless.

“We believe integrating wireless technology into healthcare devices improves the lives of patients managing chronic health conditions and streamlines costs for their healthcare providers without sacrificing quality care. We are pleased to work with MedStartr to help the next generation of healthcare innovators develop and integrate wireless connectivity into their solutions.”

Sierra Wireless is offering developers of healthcare device startup companies the opportunity to win a development package that will enable an end-to-end healthcare device management solution. This package includes a Sierra Wireless Development Kit, embedded software development tools, a six-month trial account for up to 5 devices to connect to AirVantage M2M cloud, enhanced with a pre-paid 20 MB SIM card from a Sierra Wireless M2M operator partner, valid for six months. In addition, MedStartr will offer a consulting session for winners on using the MedStartr platform for crowd funding.

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Medical Device Manufacturer to Power Its World-Class Remote Equipment Monitoring and Support Solution With ThingWorx, Improving Customer Experience.

ThingWorx announced today that IRIS International, Inc., a worldwide leader in automated urinalysis systems and consumables, is using the ThingWorx connected application platform to build its next-generation remote service management platform.

The platform will enhance IRIS’ innovative iCARE (IRIS’ Customer Appreciation and Relationship Experience) program with high-value remote service, monitoring, and automation.

Iris Diagnostics, a division of IRIS International, currently supports a large installed base of urinalysis instrumentation products at major medical institutions worldwide. Its existing service management processes present an opportunity for enhanced efficiencies by introducing automation and remote service and support. With ThingWorx, IRIS can quickly get to market and remotely manage its growing installed base to reduce service costs, improve service efficiencies, design remote support into its next generation of products, and improve response time to IRIS customers.

“Our service operations require a coordinated response and an emphasis on customer experience,” said Dave Baker, VP Global Customer Service at IRIS International.

“ThingWorx, with its rapid application development tools and core remote management capabilities, allows us to quickly bring to market a differentiated remote service application that enhances our innovative iCARE support program.”

“With ThingWorx, we are able to cost-effectively build our remote offering as an integral piece of our service business. We are enthusiastic that this will translate to improved service efficiency, allowing us to further enhance our world-class support for our customers.”

“We are pleased to be selected by a world-class organization such as IRIS International for its next-generation remote services platform,” said Russ Fadel, CEO of ThingWorx.

“The rapid time to market provided by ThingWorx, combined with the platform’s unique collaborative infrastructure and search-based intelligence, enables our customers to create a competitive advantage in their markets. IRIS’ selection of ThingWorx further validates our position as the leader in next-generation connected application development.”

ThingWorx’s AlwaysOn communications will allow IRIS to enable remote connectivity and monitoring for its iQ^® microscopy analyzer products as well as iRICELL^® workstations. This technology, combined with ThingWorx’s next-generation service collaboration capabilities, allows IRIS to offer collaborative problem solving for its service team, expediting customer response time and improving first contact resolution. When using the ThingWorx SQUEAL capability, the IRIS service team will be able to perform predictive analysis on their remotely connected equipment, helping to improve time to repair and improving their overall service and support experience.

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SMARTVIEW^TM remote monitoring combines intelligent cardiac device features and secure e-health technology to improve cardiac patients’ care and service to healthcare professionals

Sorin Group, a global medical device company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and Orange Business Services, a leading global communications solutions integrator, launched today SMARTVIEW, a remote monitoring solution for patients with implanted cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices in several countries in Europe.

Enhanced patient care management
Using the SMARTVIEW remote monitoring solution, healthcare providers can now access valuable cardiac data and alert messages from Sorin’s implantable PARADYM^TM RF devices, while the patient is at home. Combined with remote data transmission, the intelligent proprietary features embedded in Sorin’s CRM devices offer advanced diagnostic capabilities and early detection of cardiac disease progression for enhanced patient management. For patients, the SMARTVIEW remote monitoring solution can reduce time spent travelling to their clinic for routine device checks^1.

“With remote monitoring, I can efficiently review clinical and device data – usually collected during in-office follow-up – while patients stay at home,” said Philippe Mabo, MD, PhD, University Hospital of Rennes, France.
“Also, the SMARTVIEW solution provides information based on Sorin’s advanced device technology that may enable early detection of clinical events and better patient care²,” he added.

Ease of use for patients and healthcare providers
The simple installation of the easy-to-use SMARTVIEW remote monitoring system at the patient’s home is assisted by a dedicated helpdesk powered by Orange Business Services and Sorin. Developed using worldwide best practices, this unique technical set-up assistance provides patients with peace of mind and removes the installation workload from healthcare professionals.

“We are delighted to have developed our remote monitoring solution with Orange Business Services,” said Stefano Di Lullo, president, CRM Business Unit, Sorin Group.

“This partnership has enabled us to introduce an easy-to-use, secure remote monitoring system for physicians and patients alike that leverages Sorin’s intelligent device functions. The introduction of this service adds to Sorin’s growing portfolio of innovative implantable heart therapies designed to save lives and improve patient symptoms.”

Global, scalable e-health platform
SMARTVIEW uses a global, scalable e-health platform from Orange Business Services, backed by the global reach of the Orange network. Healthcare providers can access important clinical insights through a secure 24/7 Web application that provides a user-friendly interface with patient data hosted in Orange’s secure data centers. This platform is made possible by Orange’s strong in-house e-health capabilities, e-health systems integration expertise, and extensive machine-to-machine (M2M) capabilities.

“In the expanding area of remote patient care, Orange Business Services has developed significant expertise in the development and deployment of e-health platforms that facilitate the remote monitoring and measurement of chronic illnesses,” said Thierry Zylberberg, executive vice president, Orange, and general director, Orange Healthcare.
“We are extremely proud to have been able to work with Sorin and to apply our dual expertise as a solutions integrator and network operator to the development and launch of SMARTVIEW.”

About Remote Monitoring
Remote monitoring is designed to facilitate the follow-up care of patients by transmitting data electronically from patients’ implanted cardiac devices to their physicians. Using these valuable data, healthcare providers may detect potential health issues before they become life-threatening and provide timely therapy. This may reduce the need for hospitalization and improve the patients’ quality of life.

Patients with CRM devices require regular check-ups with their physicians to ensure their devices are functioning properly and the appropriate therapy is being delivered. Managing a growing number of patients implanted with CRM devices, as well as the related follow-up, is increasingly demanding for clinicians. Remote monitoring systems which provides physicians access to comprehensive cardiac data recorded by the implanted device while the patient is at home, represents a significant milestone in patient management.

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Phrazer Telehealth Application from GeaCom Eliminates Communication Barriers, Improves Medical Treatment and Reduces Medical Costs.

GeaCom, Inc. announced today that its handheld interactive multilingual medical communication system, called Phrazer, will be powered by the robust network of T-Mobile USA, Inc.

 
The first system of its kind in the world, Phrazer enables the collection and delivery of critical information between patients and caregivers, regardless of language, culture or literacy.

Communication barriers often result in errors in medication and treatment, misdiagnoses and caregiver mistakes that potentially cause the patient serious harm or even death. According to a 2003 study an average of 31 interpreter errors occur per encounter with limited English proficient patients.  Of those errors, 63% result in clinical consequences.

“Medical communication is in a state of failure.  Phrazer will help eliminate communication barriers, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy and reducing costs,” said Chris Butler, the Chief Operating Officer of GeaCom, Inc.

“Certainly, having a reliable, widespread wireless network like that of T-Mobile is critical to Phrazer’s success.”

“The quality of healthcare can improve for all individuals regardless of language or culture with connected telehealth devices like Phrazer from GeaCom, which runs on our robust nationwide network,” says John Horn, National Director of M2M at T-Mobile USA.

For Phrazer’s network management services, such as real-time monitoring and provisioning, GeaCom has tapped Jazz Wireless Data.

“The GeaCom Phrazer application is an exciting entrant to the telehealth market. At Jazz, we are focused on providing the key wireless network elements to make Phrazer work seamlessly with maximum uptime,” said Gregor Bleimann, President at Jazz Wireless Data.

GeaCom will launch midyear and is initially targeting hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers at the point of admissions. The company also plans to quickly expand into emergency rooms, other medical specialties and first response vehicles.

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