Internet of Medical Things (IoMT): when IoT revolutionizes the healthcare sector
From cars to buildings, household appliances, and clothing: IoT connects a plethora of physical objects to the Internet through cellular technologies such as 4G, 5G, LTE-M, or NB-IoT.
Equipped with sensors, these objects record environmental data and share it with users. In healthcare, an increasing number of traditional medical devices are being transformed into smart objects. This applies, for instance, to thermometers, glucometers, electrocardiograms, and inhalers.
Connected objects, devices, and software applications: the entire array of connected systems specifically designed for the medical sector is known as IoMT, or the Internet of Medical Things. This IoT market is experiencing extremely rapid growth: according to a study by Fortune Business Insights, it is expected to reach $176 billion by 2026.
Certain large companies have already started to get on board, like Apple, which is developing health-focused features for its consumer products. Several models of the Apple Watch with 4G eSIM now include an electrocardiogram or a menstrual cycle tracking function.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): examples of devices
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) involves using connected devices equipped with IoT sensors to monitor patients’ health outside of traditional clinical settings. This technology collects patient data and communicates it in real-time to healthcare professionals using 4G and 5G technologies. Particularly useful for monitoring individuals with chronic diseases or elderly people who cannot easily travel, RPM offers continuous and proactive care management.
Among these devices are:
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
This wearable device is kept on at all times. It is equipped with a glucose sensor that accurately indicates blood glucose levels. Some devices have alarms to alert people with diabetes to take their insulin, especially those with a history of severe hypoglycemia.
- The connected blood pressure monitor
This device can collect data such as blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels over several days. Its use is particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from hypertension or hypotension or with heart conditions.
Innovative use cases of IoMT beyond monitoring
While RPM devices are the most commonly used in the medical sector, some devices go beyond monitoring and utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies. Here are a few examples:
- Robotic surgery
The advent of new technologies, such as industrial 5G, offers new possibilities in the field of surgery. It allows a doctor, for instance, in the United States to perform surgeries remotely in another country. This is a true revolution, especially for surgeries that require highly specialized skills with very few trained surgeons.
- Smart home medication dispenser
This device dispenses medications to patients in the correct doses and at scheduled times. In case of a missed dose, it sends alerts to the user and the prescribing physician.
- Smart Beds
In some hospitals, smart beds equipped with sensors automatically detect a patient’s presence and adjust pressure and angle to provide appropriate support.
- Connected inhaler
This device records the date and time of each use, monitors the frequency of asthma attacks, and collects environmental data. This information helps to better understand the triggers of an asthma attack.
What are the benefits of IoMT?
IoMT is gaining increasing traction due to its numerous advantages for the medical sector. Among them:
- Improving Quality of Care
With wearable IoT devices, it’s now possible to monitor patients’ vital signs remotely. Doctors can quickly access a wealth of real-time data. This allows for a more precise view of the patient’s health status and enables more informed decision-making.
- Simplifying patients’ daily lives
In certain situations, remote monitoring can prevent unnecessary, tiring, and costly trips for patients, especially those living outside cities or in remote areas.
Additionally, connected devices can help detect the causes of illnesses in some patients. For instance, a real-time glucose sensor can determine the reasons for a hypoglycemic episode in a person not eating enough during meals. It can also alert a pregnant woman to gestational diabetes by identifying the foods causing sugar spikes.
- Facilitating emergency response
Cellular IoT also plays an important role in fire detection. Thanks to LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies, fire alarms can be directly connected to fire department centers and alert responders in case of abnormal signs (detection of smoke, heat, or CO2). This technology enables faster intervention in areas posing a danger to people.
Similarly, there are technologies that can automatically turn traffic lights green when emergency vehicles are detected. Thanks to advancements in 4G and 5G networks, this practice simplifies emergency operations and enables quicker location and rescue of individuals involved in road accidents.
Objenious, your partner in realizing your IoT projects
Are you developing IoT products for the healthcare sector? At Objenious, a Bouygues Telecom brand dedicated to IoT, we offer tailored support. We provide both LTE-M and NB-IoT and have been ensuring coverage for more than 99% of the French population since the end of 2022. We are also present in over 126 countries! The result: Guaranteed performance for your connected devices, even in rural areas. Contact our experts to be guided in your technological choices and discover our digital offerings.