Let’s meet in person!
Secure your personal meeting slot today — let's connect and discuss opportunities!
Nov 19-21
Helsinki, Finland
Petro Diakiv,
Delivery Manager
at RELEVANT SOFTWARE
In the last couple of years, we’ve watched the IoT (Internet of Things) transition from a cool new concept to something we interact with daily. It sparked a kind of smart digital transformation that touched almost everything – from simple “smart home” devices like smart thermostats to complex industrial machinery and transportation systems. And when you look at the healthcare sector? You’ll see the real change in healthcare happening with IoMT development services. But what is IoMT, you might ask.
Think of it as the healthcare-specific side of IoT. We’re talking about tools that literally keep people healthy and, in some cases, even save lives. In this exploration, we’ll answer the question of what is IoMT technology, clear up its perspectives in the current market, and provide you with case studies that showcase IoMT in action.
We provide companies with senior tech talent and product development expertise to build world-class software. Let's talk about how we can help you.
Contact usTable of Contents
When we say IoMT stands for the “Internet of Medical Things,” we refer to a specialized subset of IoT, or the Internet of Things. While IoT broadly encapsulates everything from your connected refrigerator to city-wide traffic systems, IoMT narrows that scope, concentrating solely on healthcare-related elements.
So, what exactly comprises the IoMT definition? At its core, IoMT is the networked collection of medical devices, applications, and health systems and services that make up healthcare information technology. It’s how your doctor can remotely monitor your vitals or how real-time data from a wearable can advise a change in treatment protocol. This connectivity isn’t merely about convenience; it’s about providing timely interventions, optimizing treatment plans, and enhancing patient experiences.
In recent years, IoT in healthcare has evolved dramatically, driving innovations that range from simple monitoring devices to complex, integrated systems. For instance, IoT healthcare devices now include smart inhalers, connected contact lenses, and even ingestible sensors that monitor patient conditions in real-time.
Deloitte’s 2023 Global Health Care Outlook report highlights that evolving consumer attitudes are significantly influencing IoT software development in healthcare. Three major trends are:
1. Holistic Health Approach: There is a growing focus on treating patients as whole individuals rather than just addressing specific diseases. This includes caring for their physical, mental, and overall well-being.
2. On-Demand Home Healthcare: Consumers increasingly prefer healthcare services that are available at their convenience and within their homes. This trend encompasses virtual doctor visits, home delivery of prescriptions, remote patient monitoring, and diagnostic tools, along with various self-service apps that empower individuals to manage their own health.
3. Patient-Centric and Cost-Effective Models: There is a significant investment in new processes, organizational structures, and technologies aimed at creating patient-focused and economical healthcare solutions. These models prioritize the patient’s experience and aim to reduce costs.
In the vast space of modern technologies, IoT (Internet of Things) and IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) are significant players in different industries. While they both revolve around interconnected devices, the contexts in which they operate, their purposes, and their implications differ vastly.
We’ve compiled the details into a table to compare these two concepts better, highlighting their unique roles and applications in various IoMT projects.
IoMT stands for the Internet of Medical Things. It’s a subset of IoT focused on medical devices and healthcare systems. IoMT collects and analyzes health data in real-time to provide better patient care, while IoT encompasses a broader range of interconnected devices beyond just healthcare applications.
Basis of Comparison | IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) | IoT (Internet of Things) |
Definition | So, what is IoMT. A subset of IoT that focuses on connected medical devices and applications to improve patient outcomes and healthcare operations. | Refers to the interconnection of everyday objects via the internet, making them “smart” and able to collect and exchange data. |
Primary Focus | Exclusively targets the healthcare and medical sectors. | Wide-ranging and encompasses a diverse spectrum from consumer goods to industrial equipment. |
Examples | Remote patient monitoring devices, wearable glucose monitors, connected inhalers, and medical imaging systems. | Smart light bulbs, connected cars, automated factory equipment, smart thermostats. |
Data Sensitivity | Primarily handles highly sensitive, confidential, and regulated health information directly impacting patient well-being. | Data can be personal or generic, ranging from a user’s preferred room temperature to factory machine operational hours. |
Regulations | Subject to stringent regulations due to the vital nature of health data, such as HIPAA in the U.S. | While regulations exist, especially for data protection (like GDPR in Europe), they are generally less strict than those in the medical sector. |
Main Benefits | Real-time patient monitoring, personalized treatment plans, reduction in healthcare operational costs, and efficient management of chronic diseases. | Offers enhanced user convenience, efficient resource utilization, automation, and data-driven insights across various industries. |
Security Concerns | Extremely high – any breach can lead to grave consequences, including potential patient harm and massive penalties for violating health privacy regulations. | Security concerns exist, especially with personal data, but the immediate physical implications are typically lower than in the medical domain. |
Risks | Misdiagnosis due to faulty data, unauthorized access to critical health data, and potential for malfunctioning life-critical devices. | Privacy breaches, potential for minor physical harm (like a hacked smart car), and data misuse. |
Interoperability | Requires highly standardized protocols to ensure diverse medical devices can communicate seamlessly. | Although standards are beneficial, there’s more flexibility and variation in implementation across different medical IoT devices. |
Market Growth Drivers | A growing elderly population, rising chronic diseases, surging healthcare expenses, and recent advancements in medical tech. | Surging preference for intelligent devices, swift city growth, industrial innovations, and a more tech-aware consumer base. |
As the Internet of Things in healthcare market continues to expand, IoMT plays a crucial role in enhancing patient care, streamlining the medical device supply chain, and improving overall healthcare efficiency. Transformative IoMT technology integrates wearable devices, smart sensors, and advanced data analytics to provide real-time health monitoring and personalized treatment plans, ultimately improving medical care for individuals.
You can’t talk about IoMT without shining a spotlight on medical devices. Let’s explore some of the stars in this space:
The rise of these gadgets isn’t just a fad. They’re loved for the immediate health updates they offer.
These devices don’t just measure; they record, ensuring a full picture of patient health.
In addition to wearables and monitors, the heart of IoMT is a variety of advanced medical devices interconnected via the Internet.
At the intersection of healthcare and technology lies the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). To truly understand the value IoMT brings, it’s essential to delve into the IoMT connectivity solutions that power this innovation.
Traditional wired setups often face obstacles in terms of mobility and adaptability. Wireless technology, however, opens doors to unhindered communication over vast distances.
The sheer volume of data processed by IoMT devices requires advanced storage and retrieval systems. This is where cloud technology shines.
Ensuring reliable communication between devices and the broader healthcare infrastructure involves intricate network designs.
The driving force behind IoMT is the slew of software solutions built with the unique needs of healthcare in mind. These IoMT applications, supported by intelligent algorithms and instantaneous data processing, provide healthcare professionals with a set of tools to enhance healthcare delivery.
What is IoMT? It’s a technological advancement that allows real-time health data collection and sharing through interconnected medical devices. But this means we need powerful analytics software to process these data. Such platforms help in:
When exploring the IoMT meaning, it’s essential to understand how it integrates wearable and implantable devices for continuous health monitoring. These devices include smartwatches that track heart rates, glucose monitors for diabetics, and even ingestible sensors that provide real-time data from within the body. This continuous monitoring allows:
Apart from analytics and tracking, the IoMT world is bursting with software that’s customized for particular medical tasks and assessments. For instance:
At its core, IoMT isn’t just about gadgets and connections. It’s a rich web that’s key to drawing actionable insights from data. By combining world-class software and the latest IoMT technologies, healthcare teams are equipped to deliver thorough, timely, and optimized care, pushing the boundaries of patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Source: Sciencedirect
What is IoMT across various healthcare settings? Each application area—from in-hospital and in-home use to on-body and community-wide solutions—uniquely benefits from the capabilities of IoMT.
IoMT devices enable real-time tracking of vital signs, streamline workflows, and improve accuracy in diagnostics. This leads to more efficient patient management, reduced hospital stays, and better overall outcomes.
Also, within hospital walls, it’s essential to track the movement and interactions of staff, patients, and equipment. Thanks to In-Hospital IoMT sensors and smart hospital technology, hospitals can now watch these dynamics in real-time. This not only helps in using resources wisely but also offers leaders a comprehensive understanding of the operations, boosting both patient care and hospital management.
IoMT at home stands as a strong connector between patients and their healthcare teams, regardless of distance. Devices tailored for monitoring patients at home can send vital stats, like blood pressure or oxygen levels, directly to doctors. Catching health issues early can mean fewer trips back to the hospital.
Pairing IoMT with telehealth is a boon for recently discharged patients. They can address small issues via online chats, dodging unnecessary hospital visits. Plus, tools like personal emergency response systems give an added layer of security, ensuring swift assistance in urgent situations.
IoMT isn’t just confined to homes or hospitals; it’s on us. Wearable medical devices, which are part of the on-body IoMT, offer continuous health monitoring as individuals go about their daily routines.
For the general public, wearable devices like fitness trackers provide insights into essential health metrics. More than just monitoring, some of these devices, such as the Apple Watch, can detect potential health threats, acting as a first line of defense.
For more specialized care, clinical on-body IoMT devices offer an expanded range of monitoring options for various health conditions. A prime example would be the glucose sensors for diabetic patients, which can immediately notify them of glucose level anomalies. Understanding what is IoMT here means recognizing its potential to improve quality of life and safety for long-term care residents.
The IoMT community encompasses an entire community or region beyond individual or hospital settings. Mobility services equipped with IoMT track patient metrics during transit, ensuring continuous care. For situations that require immediate medical intervention, first responders are now equipped with emergency response systems that can monitor and relay patient data in real-time through mobile devices.
The IoMT community is also presenting medical solutions suitable for non-traditional settings. On-site devices allow healthcare providers to extend their services to temporary medical facilities, and kiosks can dispense needed medications in areas with limited access to pharmacies or clinics. Furthermore, the supply chain benefits from IoMT logistics. Sensors can oversee the transportation conditions of critical medical supplies, including medical equipment, ensuring that their quality remains uncompromised during transit.
We mentioned earlier that IoMT stands for the integration of medical devices and applications that connect to healthcare IT systems via networking technologies. For those wondering what is IoMT and how it fits with telemedicine, the answer lies in connectivity and real-time data sharing.
Telehealth relies on robust software platforms to facilitate remote consultations and follow-ups. But when a telemedicine software development company combines them with IoMT devices, these platforms become even more powerful. Here’s a brief overview of how telemedicine works with IoMT:
Understanding IoMT meaning and its applications in telemedicine can revolutionize patient care. By leveraging IoMT technology, healthcare providers can offer more personalized, efficient, and cost-effective care. So, the next time you hear about the IoMT definition in telemedicine, remember – it stands for a smarter, more connected future in healthcare.
When considering the future of healthcare, a common question arises: what is IoMT impact and what benefits does it offer? Let’s look at IoMT in action with the help of practical examples from the real world.
Remote patient monitoring exemplifies the transformative impact of IoMT on healthcare. Using advanced sensors and remote patient monitoring software development, healthcare providers can track vital signs, detect anomalies, and intervene early. The benefits of remote patient monitoring include enhanced patient outcomes, reduced hospital readmissions, and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Real-life example: Addressing the pressing issue of increasing sick leaves and aiming to enhance patient care quality, Boston Scientific Partnership introduced a remote monitoring system. This forward-thinking method allows healthcare professionals to consistently monitor patients, particularly those battling chronic conditions like congestive heart failure and diabetes, reducing their frequent trips to the hospital. It serves as a prime example of the use cases for IoMT technology in the healthcare industry.
Smart inhalers for asthma patients demonstrate another impactful application of IoMT. By integrating these inhalers into a smart healthcare system using IoT, patients can receive real-time feedback on their usage, adherence, and environmental triggers.
Real-life example: A recurring obstacle for asthma patients is maintaining a regular inhaler regimen. Recognizing this, Propeller Health developed a connected inhaler that tracks medication usage. By integrating sensors, the inhaler sends data to a smartphone app, which in turn provides users with insights into their medication patterns and possible environmental triggers for their symptoms. This has led to improved medication adherence and reduced emergency hospital visits for asthma attacks.
For diabetics, maintaining the right insulin levels is paramount. Traditional methods can sometimes lead to inaccuracies and complications. IoMT technology offers a game-changing solution with connected insulin pens that enhance precision and ease of management. These intelligent devices make sure patients receive the accurate dosage when needed, using the collected IoMT data to lower the chances of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia and boosting overall diabetes care.
Real-life example: Look at the connected insulin pens developed through a collaboration between Novo Nordisk and Medtronic. These pens automatically track and send insulin dosage data to continuous glucose monitoring systems. This integrated approach ensures more accurate insulin dosing and provides real-time feedback to both patients and healthcare providers.
Monitoring heart rhythms traditionally requires cumbersome equipment, making it inconvenient for continuous use and everyday monitoring. The requirement for frequent visits to healthcare centers for ECG readings can be a major burden for patients, especially those with chronic illnesses.
Real-life example: However, AliveCor’s KardiaMobile has changed this paradigm. This pocket-sized ECG device, when connected to a smartphone, allows users to record a medical-grade ECG in just 30 seconds. Any irregularities are instantly noted, and the data is easily transmitted to a healthcare professional. This level of instantaneous feedback is paramount in conditions like atrial fibrillation, where timely intervention can prevent severe complications.
Consider the potential impacts of power outages, system failures, or even cyber attacks on healthcare facilities. No healthcare organization can afford such incidents, which could compromise patient safety and operational efficiency. To mitigate these risks, they turn to advanced IoT solutions.
Real-life example: Philips’ e-Alert system exemplifies this approach. If any equipment malfunctions, the solution alerts hospital staff so that the failure can be avoided through preventive maintenance. This application highlights the IoMT meaning in ensuring operational efficiency and patient safety by preventing unexpected equipment failures.
Comprehending IoMT’s weak points and addressing these challenges of IoT in healthcare is essential to harness the full potential of this transformative technology.
Healthcare data holds a high level of sensitivity. IoMT devices, while offering immense benefits, also introduce new healthcare IoT security risks.
Integrating different IoT devices and systems in healthcare often encounters challenges due to incompatible protocols and standards.
Solutions:
IoMT devices generate vast amounts of data, making it challenging to store, process, and extract meaningful insights.
Outdated infrastructure and technological constraints can hinder IoT implementation in healthcare.
IoT solutions often require significant expenses for implementation and upkeep.
Integrating IoT in healthcare introduces several ethical and legal challenges, particularly concerning data ownership, patient consent, and algorithmic bias.
Introducing new technologies in healthcare can sometimes be met with resistance from both healthcare professionals and patients. This reluctance often arises from several understandable concerns.
Integration can be a complex and multifaceted process. It involves ensuring that new, advanced medical technologies work seamlessly with the established infrastructure, which often includes a variety of legacy systems and software.
Since 2008, Airthings, a Norwegian tech company, has been a leader in indoor radon detection products. They have developed a custom dashboard to display air quality data measured by Airthings devices to end-users conveniently and allow the company to monitor all its devices worldwide.
Airthings faced the challenge of needing real-time data collection, processing, and visualization from their IoT devices. They required the ability to display data from every Airthings device globally in real-time to both device owners and Airthings managers. With numerous devices displayed on an interactive map, ensuring smooth transitions without lag was essential.
Our engineers introduced a new dashboard feature on the Airthings website, connecting all devices and allowing user customization. Additionally, we created a map to show each device’s location and data, utilizing clustering to minimize load times and enhance rendering speed.
Implemented Features | Description |
Monitoring and Alert System | Monitors multiple rooms and issues alerts if air quality drops below acceptable levels. |
Dashboard Customization | Users can add, remove, drag, drop, and resize tiles to match their preferences. |
CSV Export | Enables users to export data in CSV format for additional analysis and usage. |
Multiple Types of Tiles | Device tiles summarize sensor data, and sensor tiles show data from individual sensors. |
Optimization of Map Performance | |
Fast Loading | Configured Mapbox so images on the map are downloaded from multiple domains. |
Eliminated Lag During Transitions | Server-side rendering and Mapbox optimization improved map performance. |
Optimized Rendering | Raster images speeded up map loading and rendering as they were ready to use from the server. |
The solution we developed for Airthings opened new growth opportunities, enhanced marketing efforts, and improved radon level analysis. Now, Airthings can:
Our client, Itera, a Norwegian software development company, engaged our staff augmentation services to enhance and develop develop mobile apps for Össur. Össur has been a leader in manufacturing prosthetics and non-invasive orthopedics equipment since 1971. We contributed to two of their mobile apps.
The SmartMeasure app assists doctors through the entire knee brace selection, measurement, and ordering process. The Össur Custom Solutions App facilitates ordering lower-limb prosthetic sockets and custom liners, using a 3D scanner to scan transtibial limbs for creating customized orders.
Our iOS developers were tasked with improving and rewriting parts of the existing applications. Ensuring a seamless migration of user data after app updates was critical. Additionally, both apps needed to function offline, presenting a unique challenge.
We seamlessly integrated into Itera’s ongoing project. Throughout Scrum sprints, we refactored code, implemented new features, and documented the process. User data was successfully migrated between app versions through database synchronization. In offline mode, the apps store data locally until it can be uploaded to the server.
Implemented Features | Description |
Knee Brace Selection | The SmartMeasure app allows doctors to select the appropriate Össur braces for patients. |
Patient Data | Patients can easily enter their personal information to create personalized orders. |
Measurement | The app measures key parameters of a patient’s knee to customize braces. |
Össur Custom Solution | The Custom Solutions app aids in ordering new lower-limb prosthetic sockets and custom liners. |
Order Creation | Users can easily send orders for knee braces and prosthetics to Össur. |
3D Scanning | The app uses a 3D scanner to measure transtibial limbs for customized prosthetic sockets and liners. |
The transition to scanning and electronic ordering has saved significant time and money compared to traditional casting and shipping methods. The digitalization of data and the offline capabilities of the Össur apps have greatly improved the efficiency and performance of healthcare professionals.
The horizon showcases not just an increase in numbers but an evolution in the very fabric of IoMT technology. More devices will interconnect, each smarter than its predecessor. And it’s not just about adding numbers; it’s about amplifying efficiency. With superior sensors feeding more precise real-time data, we’re set to witness a paradigm shift in patient monitoring and diagnostics.
But the true game-changer lies in the infusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). As these technologies intertwine with IoMT, we are committed to predictive, proactive, and personalized healthcare. Gone will be the days of solely reactive medicine; the future is about anticipating health challenges and addressing them ahead of time.
The vast reservoirs of data coming from IoMT will not remain just numbers and charts. This data will be the cornerstone of groundbreaking research, fostering new treatment methodologies previously thought unimaginable. Beyond individual patient care, the holistic healthcare landscape stands to gain immensely. IoMT promises to iron out operational wrinkles, making medical management sleeker and more efficient. Plus, imagine a world where healthcare institutions globally aren’t siloed entities but are part of a collaborative nexus, all thanks to the cohesive force of IoMT and its software providers.
Want to keep up with IoMT innovations? Our proven healthcare expertise and satisfied clients make us the partner you need.
With our IoMT development services, you’re not just witnessing this transformation from the sidelines – you’re actively participating, ensuring your healthcare or business needs are met with precision and foresight. Contact us!
Do you know that we helped 200+ companies build web/mobile apps and scale dev teams?
Let's talk about your engineering needs.
Write to us