By now, we are sure you must be aware of the concept of IoT and that it has brought astounding innovations in various industries. The healthcare sector is no different. In fact, healthcare has seen the most prominent applications of IoT, and it is expected that the value of the IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) market will reach over $176 billion in 2026.
These figures are no surprise considering the number of applications of IoT in medical and healthcare, from smart health monitoring devices to remote data collection. Here are some of the most common Internet of Things examples in the healthcare sector:
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Applications of IoT in Healthcare
Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote Patient Monitoring is one of the most prominent applications of IoT in healthcare. It allows professionals to monitor their patients without them necessarily visiting the hospital in person. It helps free up beds in the hospital for patients who require more intensive care. Countries like Australia had already started working on virtual hospital setups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the help of devices like pulse oximeters – a clip-like device attached to the finger – healthcare professionals were able to measure oxygen saturation levels and heart rates of the patients, while armpit patches were used to measure body temperature. These measurements help form the initial diagnosis of whether or not the patient has been affected by the virus. That not only saved everyone time but prevented the virus from spreading any further.
Improved Diabetes Management
With more than 30 million diabetic people in America alone, the need to introduce a new way of monitoring blood glucose levels seems pretty obvious. The traditional method of measurement and maintenance of glucose levels is inconvenient and inefficient. On the flip side, smart diabetes management devices constantly keep track of the blood glucose level and insert a steady stream of insulin whenever required. These devices also come with the option of manual dosing so that individuals feel more in control of their insulin supply. Companies like Abbott and Medtronic are already supplying these devices as a part of their extensive diabetes care.
Smart Wearables
Smart wearables are devices that can do more than just become a fashion statement. Devices like Fitbit help you keep track of your heartbeat, temperature, and daily activity, and even contact a professional in case of an emergency. These devices are some of the most widely used examples of IoT in healthcare with Market Size projected to reach USD 486.34 Billion by 2031.
Moreover, a lot of these devices aren’t even that expensive. Huawei Band 6, Lintelek ID115Plus Fitness Tracker, and Fitbit Inspire 2 are some examples of affordable smart wearables. All you need is a good internet service to stay connected through your smart watches and get real-time data. You can check out Spectrum Internet, as they not only offer amazingly-fast in-home internet service but FREE nationwide Wi-Fi so that you stay online even when you are not at home.
Elder Care
Elder people require the most care but might not necessarily have someone around them all the time. Moreover, some people prefer their independence while still requiring care of some sort. For these and more situations related to elderly care, IoT offers various solutions. Smart wearables, for example, keep track of a person’s movement, daily activity, heart rate, and more and inform a remote caregiver in case of a change in any of these variables. This system allows caregivers to stay informed of their elders while giving individuals the independence and privacy they require. Some IoT devices, like the GrandCare remote monitoring system, can also integrate with other telehealth devices like pulse oximeters, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors, providing a complete care system that is not just convenient but efficient.
Ingestible Sensors
A digestible chip that can monitor your body seemed like a thing of sci-fi, but it no longer is. Ingestible sensors are wireless devices that integrate a sensor system into a non-invasive capsule to perform functions like measuring the body temperature, blood pressure, pH, and more without needing any external gadgets and with much more accuracy. One of the earliest examples of IoT in healthcare is the silicon capsule developed by MIT researchers, which is about the size of a multivitamin pill. The capsule is designed to collect and process required raw data and send it to an external receiver within a 3-meter range.
Smart Thermometers
When someone at your home gets sick, your first instinct probably is to grab a thermometer and check whether or not their body temperature is normal. If not, the next thing you do is visit a doctor. What if both of these processes are piggy-backed into one smart device that not only measures the body temperature of your homie feeling unwell but also helps you contact a professional right away and get the primary treatment started? Sounds great, right? And that is what a smart thermometer can do. These IoT devices have been a great tool during the pandemic, as some of the earliest symptoms included a high body temperature. So, while people couldn’t visit their doctors, their doctors could still stay in touch with them thanks to these devices.
Conclusion
IoT has a wide range of applications in various industries, specifically the healthcare sector. From remote patient monitoring to elder care and smart wearables, there are numerous applications of IoT in the healthcare sector, as mentioned above. And the market is expected to grow even further in the coming years.