ROBIOTIC
Lexicon
Internet of medical things: IoT in the MedTech industry
At a glance
The Internet of medical things (IoMT) comprises all IoT applications from the medical field. These are networked medical devices of all kinds that communicate with each other in order to automate certain processes. The devices can collect, analyze and transmit medical data to other devices or to a medical database in real time. Applications range from hospitals to doctors' surgeries to devices for home use.
Automatic monitoring of body functions, laboratory values and medication
There are already various measuring devices that make use of the Internet of medical things. They wirelessly monitor body functions such as blood pressure, heart rate or temperature. Laboratory values such as blood sugar can be measured and documented with IoMT-enabled devices. The intake and dosage of medication can also be monitored. There are, for example, smart sensors for asthma inhalers that document the intake of the medication via a smartphone app and alert the user if they should leave the house without the inhaler. The app also notes online environmental data such as air pollution for each entry to help identify asthma triggers.
Advantages of the Internet of medical things
The Internet of medical things can help to detect diseases faster and optimize treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment support
IoMT devices not only communicate with each other but can also communicate their results to the doctor centrally - and they often work faster and more efficiently than their human counterparts. The technology offers the potential to make diagnoses faster and more accurate, thus accelerating the start of treatment. And the networked devices can also help with treatment, for example by monitoring the intake of medication or the development of symptoms.
Cost Savings
Automated collection, analysis and communication of medical data naturally also means that costs can be saved in many areas. Staff can concentrate on more essential tasks.
Long-term monitoring - even from a distance
Certain diseases, such as chronic diseases, require long-term health surveillance. Only in this way can doctors respond to changes and accurately monitor the course of the disease. The IoMT offers the opportunity to automate this continuous monitoring and thus make it considerably easier for all parties involved. Networked medical devices such as implants or external measuring devices can, for example, regularly transmit your data to a smartphone - and, if necessary, forward it directly to the doctor. In this way, the attending physician, a nurse or the patient himself receives continuous information about the state of health. And the measurement data cannot be falsified by trivial disruptive factors such as forgetfulness or illegible handwriting.
