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The miniaturization of biomedical
sensors, the proliferation of
smartphones and the rise of power
efficient wireless protocols has
started a generation of wearable
medical devices which stand to
change the face of healthcare.
These medical wearables go way
beyond fitness trackers. They're not
just counting steps or tracking heart
rates, but monitoring glucose levels
and blood pressure, managing
chronic pain, or even delivering
medication.
At the heart of this revolution in
healthcare are wireless technologies
which have arisen with the
proliferation of the smartphone.
Bluetooth and NFC are the wireless
protocols driving this new generation
of wearable medical devices.
The Wearable
Revolution
Healthcare has traditionally been
practiced in hospitals and private
clinics, requiring patients to travel
significant distances and delaying
treatment.
Wearable
health
technology promises to flip that on
its head by enabling "telemedicine"
- the administration of healthcare
beyond clinical settings, to reach
patients whether they're at home,
at work, or on the go.
Telemedicine enabled by wearable
medical technology has the
potential improve both inpatient
and outpatient care. For instance,
wearables have the potential to
allow hospitals to focus resources
on urgent care, as less serious
ailments can be diagnosed, and in
some cases even treated, remotely
with the help of wearable medical
devices.
Wearable health monitors can
also let patients with more serious
ailments shorten their hospital stays
and go home earlier while staying
monitored around the clock, thus
freeing up beds and staff for other
patients.
Wearable medical devices can help
chronic disease sufferers manage
and monitor their condition,
and easily share their health
information with their physician.
Wearable medical devices can also
provide convenient and economic
How Wearable Health Technology is Changing
the Face of Healthcare
Mark Patrick, Mouser Electronics
Medical Devices
Special Edition
42 l New-Tech Magazine Europe