The Internet of Things (IoT) accelerates medical advancements, bringing much-appreciated improvements for patients and providers alike. Here are six ways in which IoT technology has recently benefited the medical field.<br />1. Removing Patient Barriers During IoT Tech Adoption<br />There’s an ongoing interest in using the IoT for patient monitoring. When providers get real-time — or at least recent — data about the people under their care, it’s easier to spot issues faster. Plus, that method means doctors can rely on something more than patient reports.<br />A possible downside to using the IoT for additional oversight is that some patients are not tech-savvy. If they have to use an app to transfer data daily or something similar, that might seem overwhelming.<br />However, Medisanté offers an alternative through its medical-IoT-as-a-service offering. CEO Gilles Lunzenfichter explained:<br />“We offer what we call ‘zero-touch’ configuration, which means patients do not have to download a mobile app to automatically send their vital signs to their care team; they do not need to enter their credentials into an app; they do not have to pair a medical device — such as a blood pressure monitor or a glucose monitor — with any additional technology.”<br />That approach could increase interest and adoption rates.<br />2. Reducing Infection Risk From Stethoscope Use<br />Many health care professionals quickly become familiar with sending the tools they use to examine patients for thorough cleaning. However, research shows that the stethoscope often gets overlooked. Moreover, that tool often carries drug-resistant bacteria.<br />As COVID-19 disrupted the world, people became more concerned about surface transmission, particularly in hospitals that may have dozens of patients with the virus. Typical stethoscopes require distances of less than 60 centimeters between a doctor and patient. However, eKuore developed an electronic stethoscope that transmits auscultation data to a smartphone.<br />Providers can then hear the sounds through earbuds, supporting doing patient exams while wearing protective equipment and staying at a safer distance. Plus, this model has interchangeable chest pieces that providers can switch out to facilitate cleaning and reduce infection spread. There are also listening filters to clarify heart and lung sounds.<br />3. Improving Patient Interaction During Eye Tests<br />Statistics show that up to 11 million Americans have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It’s one of the top causes of vision loss among older people. There’s no cure for the disorder. However, approved drugs and therapies help manage it.<br />Prompt diagnosis is essential, particularly because there are two types of AMD. One screening method involves having patients go through a dark adaptation test. It measures how quickly their eyes adapt to reduced-light conditions. Eye care technicians coach and encourage patients during those tests, especially to correct their positioning or how they follow test instructions.<br />The MacLogix AdaptDx Pro is a headset with an artificial intelligence assistant called Theia. Some technicians see more than a dozen patients per day, leaving less time for interaction.<br />Using that smart connected tool helps technicians focus on their patients. Theia monitors patient pupil movement and provides guidance when needed. Then, staff members have more time to address patients’ questions or concerns and ensure they’re up-to-date on tests or treatments.<br />4. Making Diabetes Care More Proactive<br />Blood sugar monitoring becomes vital for people diagnosed with diabetes. The traditional way of taking care of that involved arm or finger-stick tests. However, the IoT opened up opportunities for needle-free options.<br />In January 2021, Tokyo IoT startup Quantum Operation Inc. released the first wearable and non-invasive glucose monitor that offers continuous tracking. The company relies on a spectrum-tracking technology that measures blood sugar as a person wears a wrist device.<br />Patients can use this tracker 24/7 and send the data to their health care providers. It’s also possible to track trends. Then, people may link blood sugar levels to particular behaviors and use the data to shape future decisions.<br />5. Monitoring for Abnormal Heart Rhythms<br />Smart speakers are among the most popular consumer IoT devices. Besides helping people shop, stay entertained, and get information, these gadgets could also alert them to heart abnormalities.<br />Researchers at the University of Washington developed a smart speaker skill that monitors heart rhythms at home without contact. A person must only sit in front of the gadget, placed 1-2 feet away from it.<br />The study measured the heartbeats of nearly 12,300 healthy patients and more than 5,600 with cardiac issues. In both cases, the smart speaker’s median beat interval was only 28-30 milliseconds different from what the standard heart monitor showed.<br />6. Bringing More Convenience to Blood Pressure Monitoring<br />High blood pressure elevates a person’s risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, many people don’t know they suffer from it. Those who do may not check it often enough, especially if they only visit the doctor once or twice a year and don’t own blood pressure cuffs.<br />However, a new project from Fitbit Labs may make blood pressure checks more manageable. The study will examine whether pulse arrival time (PAT) could relate to a person’s blood pressure. The pulse arrival time measures the span when a pulse of blood reaches the wrist after the heart beats.<br />A small internal study confirmed the link between PAT and blood pressure. However, this wider investigation will see if that outcome holds in the wider population. If it does, blood pressure checks should become much more accessible. Researchers are also eager to see how blood pressure changes as people participate in various activities, and this study will help confirm that.<br />The IoT Can Enhance Health Care<br />These six examples show that the IoT deserves a prominent place in the medical field. As more providers and organizations use it, people should expect even more examples of how applying IoT tech can improve diagnosis and condition management.<br />Some of these examples are in the early stages. However, they still provide an exciting taste of medicine’s future.<br /><br />