4 IoMT innovations advancing medical science

In recent years, the Internet of Things, or IoT, has grown exponentially to include a wide range of applications. As technology continues its rapid evolution, new IoT developments offer healthcare professionals a plethora of tools like better sensors and connectivity and faster, more powerful computers. Implementing these modern medical technologies can improve the healthcare experience for both providers and their patients while extending the reach of doctors outside the traditional clinical setting.

What is IoMT?
IoMT, or the Internet of Medical Things, is defined as the system of medical monitoring devices connected to the internet. This includes everything from medical devices to hardware infrastructure and software applications.

Healthcare facilities around the globe are investing in these technologies to improve their services and increase efficiency. In fact, Deloitte estimates that the IoMT market will be worth over $158 billion in 2022. Greater connectivity across devices and networks allows for more accessible patient data and real-time analysis, saving time and money for hospitals and patients alike. With that in mind, here are four innovations in IoMT tech advancing the medical industry.

1. Remote patient monitoring
Over the last two years, remote patient monitoring (RPM) has become increasingly popular among patients and medical professionals as it offers a contactless solution to traditional in-office visits and allows doctors to monitor medical data from anywhere. A recent study examining patients with osteoporosis found that the care they received through RPM was "just as good or even better than in-person care."

Telehealth meetings and other RPM services are particularly beneficial for patients in rural areas as they can catch clinical abnormalities early on, saving them time and money on hospital visits. RPM is also a cost-effective solution for hospitals as they reduce readmission rates while freeing up time and space to meet with other patients.

2. Bed-tracking software
Wait times for emergency rooms have been notoriously long, and the pandemic has only exasperated this issue. As hospitals reach and exceed their maximum capacity, managing patient throughput has become more important than ever. Many healthcare facilities are now turning to IoMT solutions like bed-tracking software to track the status of patients moving in and out of beds. Combining this technology with existing healthcare software allows hospitals to increase wait time efficiency and optimize patient prioritization.

3. Glucose monitoring and insulin delivery
For those with diabetes, monitoring blood glucose levels and insulin delivery can be the difference between life and death. Fortunately, there are now IoMT devices capable of continuous glucose monitoring and accurate insulin dosing. These artificial pancreas systems offer patients an easy way to stay within their required blood glucose range and provide doctors with real-time data on their patients.

4. Connecting cancer treatment
Cancer is one of the most pressing medical issues we're facing today, affecting hundreds of thousands of patients each year. IoMT technology can help medical professionals establish a baseline of symptoms to screen for and compare against daily sensor and device readings for early detection. These noninvasive monitoring solutions can also help create and adjust cancer treatment plans based on real-time, accurate patient medical data. As the field advances, artificial intelligence can be integrated to optimize cancer screenings and detection.

With technology advancing exponentially, there is endless potential for IoT applications in the healthcare industry. Perle is here to help with hardware solutions to support this infrastructure. Read our customer success stories to learn more.