How IoMT is Shaping the Future of Medical Care
1) Introduction
a) Definition and Overview of
IoMT
The Internet of Medical Things
(IoMT) refers to a group of medical equipment and applications that communicate
with healthcare information technology systems via online computer networks.
Wi-Fi-enabled medical equipment enable machine-to-machine communication, which
is the foundation of IoMT. Remote patient monitoring systems, wearable health
gadgets, and connected ambulances are examples of IoMT devices. These gadgets
communicate with cloud services, which store and analyze collected data.
b) Difference between IoMT
and IoT
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a
network of autonomous devices that connect via a network, acquiring data using
sensors and relaying it to other parts of the network without human
intervention. Location and motion detectors on cellphones, smart thermostats,
and moisture sensors for agriculture are all examples of IoT devices. In
contrast, IoMT devices are a sort of IoT technology that allows medical
equipment to communicate independently over a network. With little or no human
interaction, patient data is captured and delivered to healthcare professionals
via IoMT networks.
c) The Role of IoMT in Healthcare
IoMT is critical in healthcare
because it enables remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, and better patient
experiences. It enables continuous health monitoring of patients with chronic
illnesses and gives clinicians more information about the patient's living
situations, which can influence management. IoMT also increases patient access
to health services and education, enhances diagnostic accuracy, and aids in
logistics and tracking in healthcare institutions.
d) The Growth and Market
Potential of IoMT
The market for the Internet of
Medical Things (IoMT) is a fast expanding sector of the healthcare business.
The IoMT market was worth USD 144.23 billion in 2022, and it is expected to
increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.4% between 2023 and
2030. Other estimates estimate the market size to be USD 65.72 billion in 2022,
with a predicted growth rate of 23.57% to USD 357.35 billion by 2031.
Several factors are driving the
expansion of the IoMT market. Technological advances in healthcare information
technologies (healthcare IT) have resulted in considerable changes in the
healthcare industry. Growth is also being fueled by an increase in partnerships
between important companies and end users, as well as the introduction of
innovative goods.
Rapid improvements in the
telecommunications industry, such as the introduction of 4G LTE, have created
numerous opportunities for the IoMT industry to thrive. Faster network
capabilities, such as 5G, would enable the telehealth business to provide a better
experience for its patients, hence increasing product demand.In addition,
increased spending on IoT in healthcare is boosting the global market.
According to a McKinsey analysis, IoT deployments in healthcare will rise
faster than in any other area.
Boston Scientific Corporation,
Hillrom, Abbott, BIOTRONIK, Roche, IBM, CISCO systems, Omron Healthcare,
Ypsomed AG, BD, NeuroMetrix Inc, LifeQ, and Connect Inc. are among the key
competitors in the IoMT industry. Apple, Inc., General Electric Company, Honeywell
International Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Koninklijke Philips
N.V., Lenovo Group Ltd., Medtronic plc, Microsoft Corporation, and SAP SE are
among the other key companies.
To grow their product portfolio
and market reach, these companies are likely to focus on new product launches,
strategic alliances, and collaborations. Siemens Healthineers, for example,
announced a collaboration with Google Cloud in 2021 to develop an AI-based
platform for healthcare providers.
2) Applications of IoMT
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
is a key Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) tool that allows healthcare
providers to continuously monitor the health state of patients, particularly
those with chronic disorders. RPM systems capture and send patient data, such
as heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels, to healthcare providers via
wearable sensors and IoT analysis platforms. This allows for continuous health
monitoring and gives clinicians more information about the patient's living
conditions, which might influence care.
RPM provides numerous advantages
to both patients and healthcare practitioners. RPM gives patients with speedy
access to healthcare services, particularly those that they require the most.
It also enables caregivers to access past data to determine how the patient is
(or has been) doing. More data is collected than would be possible in a
clinical setting, and by using daily monitoring, clinicians can be alerted to a
potential health risk early on.
RPM enables healthcare providers
to have real-time access to patient data and to intervene quickly when
difficulties emerge. It advocates for a more convenient and value-based
approach to healthcare, which can benefit both patients and clinicians. RPM also
needs no effort from the patient, making the procedure easier and less
stressful.
RPM usage is projected to grow in
the future. According to Insider Intelligence, 70.6 patients in the United
States (26.2% of the population) will use RPM technologies in their healthcare
by 2025. With the danger of readmission penalties looming, many healthcare
providers are deploying RPM solutions after hospital discharges to track
patients after they leave the facility.
Finally, as a key application of
IoMT, RPM is altering healthcare by providing continuous monitoring of
patients' health states, especially those with chronic disorders.
b) Tracking Patient Medication
Orders
The Internet of Medical Things
(IoMT) is a network of interconnected medical equipment, software applications,
and health systems that may interface with various healthcare information
technology (IT) platforms. It is intended to enhance patient outcomes by
allowing healthcare providers and patients to collect, analyze, and communicate
in real time.
IoMT devices can assist patients
in tracking their medication schedules, setting medication reminders, and
automatically refilling prescriptions when they run short. This ensures that
patients receive the appropriate medication at the appropriate time, which
improves medication adherence and overall patient outcomes.
Medication monitoring is one way
IoMT is altering healthcare. It has been discovered that almost 50% of US
citizens use one type of medication and that nearly 60% of Americans do not
take medication on time. Patients can be reminded to take their medications on
time with such monitoring devices. The current pill dispenser connects
physicians and patients via portals, and they receive medication notifications
as a result. Overall, students learn about dosage so that patients do not miss
any medication that has been recommended to them.
Smart tablets are sensors that
are taken orally. They can record various measures and advise patients on
whether they have taken the right prescription, dosage, and the influence of
the drug on their health. Such gadgets ensure that proper therapy and medication
are administered on time. Some digital medicine startups, such as Proteus
Discover, have focused their smart pill capabilities on assessing prescription
treatment efficacy in order to enhance clinical results.
The Internet of Medical Things
(IoMT) is a potential area in healthcare, with several benefits that can
improve patient outcomes, lower costs, and empower individuals to take control
of their health.
c) Tracking the Location of
Patients in Hospitals Using IoMT Devices
The Internet of Medical Things
(IoMT) is a network of interconnected medical equipment, software applications,
and health systems that may interface with various healthcare information
technology (IT) platforms. It is intended to enhance patient outcomes by
allowing healthcare providers and patients to collect, analyze, and communicate
in real time. One of the most important applications of IoMT in hospitals is
the use of RFID tags to track the location of patients.
RFID Patient ID Wristbands, such
as PDC Healthcare's Smart Band® RFID Wristbands, feature a microchip and
antenna with a unique identifier. This enables RFID scanners to write and
retrieve data at any time. Without the need to scan, patient information may be
accessed instantaneously on all nearby devices and applications, while data is
retained for downstream analysis such as billing, process improvement, and
infection surveillance.
RFID technology is used in
hospital real-time location systems (HRTLS) to conduct activities such as
locating patients in different areas, tracking patient care times and waiting
periods, and identifying patients. These devices can also be used to track patients'
movements and assure their safety, particularly in Alzheimer's and dementia
patients.
Michigan Oakwood Hospital, for
example, used Aero Scout's Visibility Solution to track the patient's
whereabouts. Wi-Fi Based Active RFID tags were employed in this system, which
transmitted data to the Wi-Fi network wireless infrastructure.
Patient tracking systems can
significantly minimize process errors and enhance staff communication. A
patient tracking system can organize and track the patient's progress and
medical history, resulting in an immediate database available to the clinician.
Tracking systems can also provide detailed information on how processes work
and where bottlenecks emerge.
Patient tracking capabilities can be extended outside the hospital and into the hands of family members. A patient monitor app can notify family members of a patient's movements and alert them in the event of an emergency, such as a fall or missed appointments.
d) Data Collection from Wearable
Health Devices
Wearable health devices are
electronic devices designed to be worn on the body, such as fitness trackers
and smartwatches, and are a component of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).
They capture information about users' personal health and exercise, such as
heart rate, blood pressure, and physical activity. Healthcare providers can
utilize this data to better understand their patients' health problems and make
more educated decisions about their care.
Wearable devices collect, filter,
and store physiological and activity data from the wearer over time. Wearables
frequently transport collected data to a powerful distant computer or a cloud
implementation, where the sensor information is decrypted, deconstructed, and
usefully generated, analyzed, and displayed to the user due to their limited
storage and computing capabilities.
Wearable gadget data can be used
in a variety of ways. For example, it can aid in the transition of patient
therapy from the clinic to the ambulatory environment by assessing patients'
prescribed physical exercise routines for continuing improvement or decrease.
It can also be utilized in distant areas where access to healthcare is limited,
or when the patient is too sick or incapacitated to get to the clinic/hospital.
Wearable device usage and data
sharing with healthcare professionals are becoming more prevalent. According to
a 2019 study, one-third of people used a wearable device, and roughly 45% of
device owners shared patient-generated data with their healthcare provider.
Patients with particular diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, were more
inclined to use wearable devices and communicate data with healthcare
practitioners.
The wearable healthcare
technology market is booming, and as it matures, more wearable technology will
be available to consumers and enterprises. According to Insider Intelligence
study, the number of people who use health and fitness apps will increase to
91.3 million by 2023, up from 88.5 million in 2022. This growing trend in
wearable fitness technology will impact insurers, health providers, and
businesses' decisions to use wearable health monitoring devices.
e) Connecting Ambulances to
Healthcare Professionals
The Internet of Medical Things
(IoMT) is transforming the healthcare industry by enabling real-time data
sharing and connectivity between ambulances and healthcare professionals. This
technology has the potential to greatly enhance patient outcomes by ensuring
that medical personnel are ready to offer the essential care as soon as the
patient arrives at the facility.
IoMT technology can link
ambulances on their way to medical facilities with healthcare specialists. This
link enables healthcare specialists to remotely monitor the patient's status,
diagnose symptoms, and prescribe urgent therapy that paramedics can administer
on the route to the hospital.
The utilization of 5G
connectivity and cutting-edge medical technologies enables ambulance personnel
to exchange a patient's vitals and symptoms with the hospital in real time.
Doctors can have a better picture of the nature of the emergency by using high-resolution
video calling between the ambulance and the hospital.
The information given to doctors
from the ambulance also allows them to prepare the appropriate therapy for
arrival, saving precious minutes that could spell the difference between life
and death. Meanwhile, ambulance personnel can utilize augmented reality (AR) to
view the patient's medical history, gather information, and develop
individualized treatment plans for emergency care.
To summarize, IoMT technology is
a major changer in the healthcare sector, particularly when it comes to
connecting ambulances to healthcare experts. It enables real-time data sharing,
which can enhance patient outcomes dramatically by ensuring that medical
personnel is ready to deliver the essential care as soon as the patient arrives
at the institution. Despite the obstacles, the future of IoMT in healthcare is
bright.
Wearable sensors and smartwatches
that can monitor patients' vital signs and other health indicators are known as
on-body Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices. These gadgets give
healthcare providers with real-time data, allowing them to make more informed
decisions about patients' care and detect early indicators of health problems.
On-body IoMT devices are
classified into two types: consumer-grade and medical-grade. Consumer-grade
devices, such as smartwatches, are utilized for wellness and health-metric
tracking without physician supervision. They can capture health information such
as heart rate and blood pressure. On-body IoMT devices used under the direction
of a doctor, on the other hand, can include more complex sensors for specific
medical conditions.
These wearable technologies have
the potential to empower individuals by assisting with diagnosis, behavior
modification, and self-monitoring. They can also assist healthcare providers in
remotely monitoring patients, eliminating the need for in-person visits while
potentially improving patient outcomes. Sensor technologies targeted at
producing a safer, more comfortable, and more convenient patient experience
will grow alongside the IoMT landscape.
Community Internet of Medical
Things (IoMT) devices, such as point-of-care (POC) kiosks, are part of a larger
network of connected and internet-capable medical devices, software, and
hardware infrastructure. These gadgets are intended to increase patients'
access to healthcare and education, particularly in impoverished places.
POC kiosks are mobile-enabled,
wall-mounted or handheld gadgets. They let caregivers to capture activities of
daily life at or near the point of care, enhancing documentation accuracy and
speed. These devices can collect essential resident data such as activity
attendance, ADLs, and vital signs. They also help to reduce the risk to
resident safety by enhancing care quality and ensuring care professionals have
comprehensive information.
Community Automated drug
dispensing systems are also part of IoMT equipment. These systems can deliver
medication in a regulated and efficient manner, lowering the possibility of
human error. They can handle a huge number of packs and are entirely automated,
making them ideal for usage in rural places with limited access to healthcare
providers.
IoMT devices incorporate
artificial intelligence, automation, and interlayer sensors to assist eliminate
the need for human intervention in healthcare monitoring. The technology uses
medical devices to connect patients and physicians for real-time data
gathering, processing, and transfer across a secure network. As a result,
unnecessary hospital stays and associated health expenses are reduced.
In community contexts, IoMT is
used to track and monitor patients in emergency vehicles, manage the delivery
and supply of medical equipment, and provide remote patient services in field
hospitals or drug-dispensing kiosks. This technology can provide a consistent,
and in some cases continuous, flow of data from patients to doctors, resulting
in better outcomes such as early interventions and more accurate diagnoses.
Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
technologies in hospitals are an important aspect of modern healthcare,
improving efficiency, patient care, and safety.
Pumps for Infusion Analytics is
linked Dashboards are computerized drug infusion devices that can be
programmed, sometimes known as'smart' pumps. They have a drug library and can
provide intravenous fluids and drugs based on predetermined parameters such as
drug concentration and dose. They can also automatically calculate weight-based
dosage strategies. Every smart pump activity can be recorded and sent to a
central server for aggregate analysis to discover usage patterns, which may
uncover mistakes or harmful use. This information can be used to influence the
development of systematically engineered solutions within the pump software to
prevent future problems. From the infusion pump data, a real-time data
dashboard can be built, giving physicians and patients with real-time updates.
Hospital Beds with Sensors are
beds that have radar systems that can monitor vital indicators such as
heartbeat and respiration without touching the patient or seeing through their
clothing. The radar system, which is mounted beneath the mattress, is made up
of four independent radar modules that cover the entire width of the bed,
allowing patients to move freely. Continuous health monitoring and early
detection of sporadic diseases are made possible by automated registration and
analysis of vital parameters based on predetermined thresholds.
RFID tags are used in hospitals
to monitor assets and inventory. They are attached to medical equipment and
supplies, delivering updates to hospital staff concerning stock levels and
whereabouts. This technology can also be used to track surgical equipment,
ensure that tools are properly sanitized before use, and identify patients,
infants, and professionals for audit trails and treatment. RFID technology
helps improve care and risk management by minimizing human error in healthcare
operations and medical equipment management.
These devices are part of the
larger IoMT ecosystem, which also includes remote patient monitoring for
persons with chronic conditions, prescription order tracking, and data
collection from patients' wearable mobile health devices. IoMT devices
communicate with cloud services, which store and analyze collected data. This
technique was very important during the COVID-19 epidemic, allowing for remote
healthcare and lowering the number of patients who had to travel to healthcare
institutions.
3) Challenges of IoMT
The Internet of Medical Things
(IoMT) is a fast evolving healthcare technology that provides several benefits
such as improved patient care, simpler clinical processes, and increased
operational productivity. However, it also raises a number of obstacles that
must be addressed in order to fully realize its potential. Cybersecurity,
interoperability, mobility and network connectivity, licensing and regulations,
data security concerns, high infrastructure costs, and standardization issues
are among these challenges.
a) Cybersecurity
challenges in IoMT
Because of the susceptibility of
data transfer, which is a core feature of IoMT, cybersecurity is a major
problem in the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) industry. The fundamental
issue is that most IoMT devices were not designed with security in mind, leaving
them extremely vulnerable.
Most IoMT devices do not require
authentication, which fraudsters can take advantage of. An attacker can gain access to the IoMT
device by breaching a computer or a phone.
Cybercriminals frequently take advantage of known flaws in software,
especially when security fixes are delayed.
If IoMT devices are connected to the same network as the rest of an
organization's infrastructure, the entire system is vulnerable to attack. IoMT
devices can be lost or stolen, opening up a new channel for data breaches.
To reduce these concerns, it is
advised that products be designed with HIPAA compliance in mind. This involves
ensuring that all channels generated by IoT product components are safeguarded
in HIPAA-compliant settings, identifying and categorizing all IoT devices on a
healthcare provider's network, and identifying specific PHI in IoT products.
Another key problem in the IoMT
market is interoperability. The data gathered by IoMT devices is frequently
difficult to obtain and combine with newer technologies and devices. This lack
of compatibility can result in expensive transformations or the need to develop
new networks from the ground up.
The fundamental difficulty is
that there are a plethora of government-certified EHR programs, each having
unique technical, clinical, and functional characteristics. Because data
interchange formats are varied, it is difficult to develop a single standard
interoperability format.
To address this dilemma,
healthcare delivery organizations (HDOs) must use a holistic risk-based
approach, which is the most cost-effective and long-term-effective path for
securing their key systems and IoMT devices. This comprises identifying and
classifying every device in a healthcare organization, both connected and
standalone, as well as monitoring the devices in a healthcare organization,
detecting anomalous activity, and alerting operators to any found anomalies.
c) Mobility and Network
Connection Challenges in IoMT
In the healthcare industry, the
mobility of IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) equipment and their network
connections is a major challenge. If an IoMT equipment can only be stationary
and positioned in one location for treatment, diagnostic, or data handling, its
performance suffers dramatically. An disrupted network connection can also have
potentially fatal implications.
To overcome these issues, it is
suggested that devices that allow for interchangeable network use be developed.
This means that the device configuration should be built to effortlessly and
safely switch between multiple networks, hence boosting its performance
capabilities. Constant communication is critical in the healthcare business
since the stakes are high and might affect a patient's life or death condition.
A dependable network infrastructure supported by adaptable and agile IT teams
will help healthcare providers overcome the problems of device mobility and
network connectivity.
d) Licensing and Regulations
Challenges
Licensing and regulations also
pose challenges to the scalability and widespread use of IoMT. There is a
dearth of governance guidelines and evidence-based research demonstrating that
IoMT and medical device interconnection are cost-effective solutions. This has
the potential to stymie the expansion and adoption of IoMT technology in the
healthcare industry.
To overcome these obstacles, it
is advised to invest in research, raise awareness, and assure stakeholder
cooperation. It is critical for any medical facility integrating IoMT to ensure
that the devices are intuitive and simple to use, as well as to provide staff
training to implant the skills required to optimize the use of the technology.
Threats to data security offer a
serious issue to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). The risk of data
breaches grows as more gadgets become networked. Healthcare data is especially
vulnerable to cyberattacks, and adding IoMT data to the existing pool of
clinically relevant medical data considerably increases the danger of exposure.
Medical imaging systems, smart
thermometers, infusion pumps, and other IoMT devices were not originally
developed with security in mind, making them especially vulnerable to
compromise. A healthcare network security compromise can have serious
repercussions, including the loss of life.
Cyberattacks against IoMT devices
can be classified into numerous types. Eavesdropping, in which a hacker
intercepts wireless data transmitted by hardware devices; replay attacks, in
which an attacker reuses an authenticating message previously exchanged between
legitimate users; man-in-the-middle attacks, in which an attacker intrudes on
data and secretly replays and alters the parties' communications; and
ransomware attacks, in which hackers encrypt sensitive data, such as patient
records, and hold it in exchange for money.
For the past 13 years, the
healthcare business has had the highest average cost of a data breach, with the
average cost of a healthcare breach in the United States being $10.93 million.
This cost has risen by more than 53% in the last three years.
The initial cost of implementing
IoMT technology can be significant, and it may take some time to see a positive
return on investment. The cost of hardware, dedicated IoMT IT infrastructure,
cloud computing, and developing a consumer-facing app all add up to a
significant initial expenditure.
Despite its high initial costs,
the IoMT has the potential to save long-term healthcare costs by automating
numerous administrative processes, reaching more patients through remote
therapy, and streamlining the whole supply chain. However, these advantages may
take years to become apparent, and the initial investment may be a considerable
barrier for many healthcare organizations.
g) Standardization Issues with
IoMT
Due to the variety of vendors and
makers of medical equipment, each looking for scalability and a shorter time to
market, standardization difficulties in the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
constitute a significant obstacle. The absence of standardization has an impact
on medical device interoperability, lowering the overall effectiveness of IoMT.
Regulatory concerns are also
posed by standardization issues. Clinical grade medical devices must be
approved and cleared by national regulators before they can be placed on the
market. IoMT devices bring new issues to regulatory authorities as well as legislators.
Compliance with legislation and standards is critical for ensuring patient
privacy, data security, and ethical procedures. To build trust and drive wider
use, rigorous regulatory frameworks and industry standards relevant to IoMT are
required.
These issues are being addressed
by industry alliances and coalitions. enterprises such as the Industry IoT
Consortium are dedicated to encouraging technological innovation that
encourages business development by assisting enterprises in identifying best
technology practices, building credible brands, and transforming their
businesses. They hope to accelerate the adoption of the Industrial IoT by
combining best-practice frameworks with cutting-edge testbeds that test new
technologies and business models.
4) Overview of IoMT in Smart
Healthcare Systems
The Internet of Medical Things
(IoMT) architecture is a framework that allows medical equipment, healthcare
systems, and data analytics platforms to be seamlessly integrated and
connected. It is intended to help in the secure and interoperable collection,
management, and analysis of healthcare data.
The initial phase of the IoMT
architecture is gathering medical data from the patient's body using smart
sensors included in wearable or implanted devices. Health trackers, remote
patient monitoring devices, and diagnostic equipment are examples of such gadgets.
They monitor vital indicators, activity levels, and medication adherence in
real time.
A body sensor network (BSN) or
wireless sensor network (WSN) connects these devices. A BSN is made up of a
network of sensors that are attached to a patient's body in order to collect
physiological data. WSNs, on the other hand, are networks of spatially
scattered and dedicated sensors that monitor and record environmental physical
conditions and send the acquired data to a central point.
The second stage of the IoMT
architecture entails connecting these devices. The devices and sensors are
linked to a base station, which serves as the WSN system's processing unit. The
base station is linked to the Internet in order to share data.
A gateway connects a WSN to a
local area network or a wide area network in many applications. The Gateway
serves as a connection point between the WSN and the other network. This allows
data to be saved and processed by devices with higher resources, such as a
remote server.
Data management is the final
stage of the IoMT architecture. The information gathered from the patient's
body is communicated via the gateway/Wi-Fi and saved in the IoMT cloud
repository. The saved data is then gathered and preprocessed in order to refine
the collected data.
The integration of IoT and
machine learning processes with smart medical devices is applied in this case.
The proposed model was implemented in an IoMT-enabled cloud architecture, and
its performance was evaluated using a number of characteristics, including
throughput, energy consumption, precision, delay, processing time, and
oscillation.
b) Energy-Efficient Techniques
for IoMT Devices
An AI-based IoMT framework is a
comprehensive system with multiple phases. Smart sensors embedded within
wearable or implanted devices collect medical data from the patient's body. A
body sensor network (BSN) or wireless sensor network (WSN) connects these
devices. The energy efficiency of such a framework is maintained by monitoring
several factors such as energy consumption, packet delivery ratio, battery
lifetime, quality of service, power drain, network throughput, latency, and
transmission rate.
The IoMT framework's health
domains relate to the many areas of health that can be monitored and controlled
using IoMT devices. Heart health, blood glucose levels, body temperature, and
other factors are examples of these areas. Different sensors are employed for
each domain, each having its own application environment, advantages, and
disadvantages.
5G connectivity is a critical
enabler for the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), delivering high-speed,
low-latency connectivity that enables smooth and dependable device
communication. This is critical for the efficient and timely transfer of data,
which is required for IoMT device operation.
Because of its fast speed and low
latency, 5G is suited for usage in healthcare systems, particularly in the
context of IoMT. It improves network capacity by lowering communication
latency, increasing speed, increasing throughput, reducing end-to-end delay,
and minimizing packet loss. This means that data sharing and disease diagnosis
will become faster and easier, ultimately enhancing healthcare facilities.
electronically
5G IoT allows a huge network of
networked devices to communicate in real time and efficiently via 5G
infrastructure. These devices, which range from sensors and actuators to smart
appliances and industrial machinery, can collect and transmit data in real
time, allowing for unprecedented levels of automation, control, and insight in
a variety of industries.
5G provides exceptional speed,
low latency, and the flexibility to connect multiple devices at the same time,
making it a perfect backbone for IoMT. By delivering real-time updates on a
patient's status and improving the functionality of remote patient monitoring
devices, the integration of 5G with IoMT has the potential to drastically
enhance patient outcomes.
5G is also important for energy
efficiency. One significant contribution of 5G to IoMT platforms is the
availability of energy-aware communication in 5G enabled edge-based ecosystems.
High energy efficiency needs to be accomplished, in particular, during data
transfer among wearable sensor nodes. This is significant since data
transmission and reception consume more power, hence it is critical to enhance
the network's longevity and energy-sustaining capabilities.
d) Energy-Efficient IoT e-Health
Model
The energy-efficient IoT e-health
model with homomorphic secret sharing is a suggested approach for improving
data transfer in the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) system. This approach
includes a Best First Search (BFS)-based artificial intelligence heuristic
algorithm and a trusted algorithm for detecting harsh acts on real-time IoMT
data.
The artificial intelligence
heuristic algorithm based on BFS is intended to support data fitness and
stability for IoT communication. BFS is a search algorithm that follows a set
of rules in order to find the shortest path from the beginning state to the
goal. It operates by expanding the graph's nodes in increasing distance from
the starting node until the goal node is achieved. This method employs the
priority queue and heuristic search concepts, as well as two lists for
traversal tracking: a 'Open' list that maintains track of the current
'immediate' nodes available for traversal and a 'Closed' list that keeps track
of the nodes already visited.
This model's trusted method is
intended to detect severe behaviors on real-time IoMT data and increase
certainty in an unreliable and unpredictable setting. This algorithm is
critical for ensuring the integrity and dependability of data transported within
the IoMT system.
In addition to these algorithms,
the model incorporates a security algorithm that uses cryptosystems to offer
online interference protection for health data. This is especially critical in
the context of IoMT, where sensitive health data is transferred and must be
safeguarded against potential threats.
The model also includes
constraint-oriented medical sensors with embedded global positioning systems
(GPS). These sensors communicate with mobile network edges, which can
communicate with both medical sensors and the sink node. The nodes can set the
neighbor table using position coordinates, and malicious computers are
installed on demand to reroute health data or flood bogus data packets.
5) Future of IoMT
a) Trends and Progress in
IoMT-Based Smart Healthcare System
The Internet of Medical Things
(IoMT) is projected to play an important role in the development of smart
healthcare systems in the future. Integrating new technologies like as
artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and cloud computing with IoMT devices
will allow for more accurate diagnoses, individualized treatment plans, and
improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, the application of IoMT in telemedicine
and remote patient monitoring will expand, improving access to healthcare
services for patients in remote places and minimizing the need for in-person
visits.
b) Potential Savings and
Efficiency Gains from IoMT
By optimizing clinical processes,
enhancing patient care, and lowering operational costs, IoMT has the potential
to save the healthcare industry billions of dollars. Remote patient monitoring,
telemedicine, and the use of wearable health devices can all assist to reduce
hospital readmissions, increase medication adherence, and make better use of
healthcare resources. Furthermore, IoMT technology adoption can lead to
enhanced productivity and better decision-making for healthcare providers,
leading in better patient outcomes and lower healthcare expenditures.
c) Future Challenges and
Adoptions
Despite the exciting promise of
IoMT, various hurdles must be overcome before it can be widely adopted. These
obstacles include assuring data security and privacy, improving
interoperability between medical devices and systems, managing the significant
infrastructure costs involved with IoMT technology implementation, and
addressing regulatory and standardization issues. As the IoMT industry expands
and evolves, healthcare organizations, technology providers, and governments
must collaborate to solve these hurdles and fully realize the benefits of IoMT
in enhancing patient care and lowering healthcare costs.
6) Real World Case Studies
Siemens employs the Internet of
Medical Things (IoMT) in equipment regulation through various solutions and
platforms for remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance. Smart Remote
Services for Diagnostics (SRS) is one of these solutions, which provides remote
monitoring of system performance, faster service over the internet, and informs
service technicians for rapid, proactive troubleshooting. This solution
improves instrument performance, reduces the need for on-site maintenance, and
ensures ongoing security, patient privacy, and regulatory compliance.
Siemens' MindSphere, an
industrial IoT as a service offering that delivers off-the-shelf solutions for
remote condition monitoring and incorporates remote service, is another option.
This software enables predictive maintenance by giving real-time trend data on
asset behavior fluctuations and sending alarms when those fluctuations surpass
agreed, user-defined norms for that asset. This method reduces waste associated
with unneeded preventative maintenance while alerting maintenance professionals
to problems before they become severe, allowing for phased, scheduled
maintenance based on proven necessity.
Siemens has also integrated
Senseye Predictive Maintenance into its MindSphere platform, providing
industrial customers with superior, real-time analytics into the performance
and deterioration data of their machine tools. Senseye is an award-winning software
that uses machine learning to automate monitoring and forecasting of machine
and plant status.
In summary, Siemens uses IoMT
technology to provide remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and equipment
regulation solutions that assist enhance efficiency, decrease downtime, and
assure regulatory compliance across a wide range of sectors.
b) Medella's glucose-measuring
smart contact lenses
Medella's glucose-measuring smart
contact lenses are a game-changer in health technology, notably for diabetes
treatment. These lenses are intended to continuously monitor the wearer's blood
glucose levels by detecting glucose in tear fluid. This is accomplished through
a chemical reaction that occurs when a tear comes into touch with the lens's
porous hydrogel. This interaction produces electricity, the strength of which
shows the amount of glucose in the tear fluid, and thus the amount of glucose
in the wearer's blood.
This electrical current is
measured by circuits incorporated in the smart contact lens. The measures are
then wirelessly transmitted to a mobile device, where they can be viewed using
an app. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) facilitates this process by
providing improved access to data, enabling and informing both patients and
clinicians.
Smart contact lens technology has
solved various obstacles that past attempts faced, including sensor corrosion,
instability of enzymes found in tears, delayed absorption of tears into lenses,
and the low volume of tears generated by the human eye. Stanford University and
South Korea's Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) researchers
addressed these issues by developing a porous hydrogel that absorbs tear fluid
and catalysts made of non-corrosive gold and platinum nanoparticles modified
with hyaluronic acid for long-term stability.
The smart contact lens promises
not just continuous, non-invasive monitoring for hypoglycemia and
hyperglycemia, but also warnings and maybe medication administration to manage
blood sugar levels. This technology is part of a larger trend in healthcare toward
using IoMT for remote patient monitoring, screening, and treatment through
telehealth.
While Medella Health began by
inventing a smart contact lens for glucose monitoring, the business has
subsequently rebranded as Voyage Labs and broadened its focus to a broader
range of health monitoring capabilities. The technology and ideas underlying the
glucose-measuring smart contact lens, on the other hand, continue to make a
substantial contribution to the field of IoMT and health technology.
c) Maastricht
University Medical Center
Maastricht University Medical
Center has pioneered the use of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) for
AI-assisted robotics in healthcare. The institution made headlines in 2017 when
it performed the world's first super-microsurgical intervention utilizing
"robot hands." This procedure includes the use of a robotic device to
treat lymphedema, a persistent illness characterized by localized fluid retention
and swelling that frequently occurs following breast cancer therapy.
Microsure, a spin-off of
Eindhoven University of Technology and Maastricht University Medical Centre+,
designed the robotic instrument utilized in this procedure. The technology is
controlled by a surgeon, whose hand movements are transformed into smaller,
more accurate movements that are subsequently performed on the patient by a set
of 'robot hands'. This equipment also helps to settle any tremors, making the
treatment more regulated and straightforward.
The use of this robotic
technology enables surgeons to operate on microscopic lymph and blood
capillaries, resulting in better outcomes for complex and laborious surgeries.
The technology is expected to improve a wide range of microsurgical operations
and allow for new interventions that are now hard to execute by hand. Because
there would be fewer problems and post-operative treatments, this will improve
patient outcomes and minimize healthcare expenditures.
The IoMT is a rapidly developing
field that is revolutionizing healthcare. It entails the use of networked
medical equipment to generate, collect, analyze, and transfer data. This
connectivity between sensors and devices enables healthcare organizations to
improve patient care by streamlining clinical operations and workflow
management.
IoMT devices are used in
healthcare facilities to monitor equipment and deliver alarms when maintenance
or other concerns develop. They are also utilized as trackers to follow
patients and medication throughout the campuses of medical facilities, resulting
in fewer mix-ups and errors. IoMT also allows for remote patient monitoring,
screening, and treatment via telehealth, which has been widely adopted by
caregivers and patients alike.
IoMT devices connect to cloud
platforms where recorded data is saved and processed in the context of
AI-assisted robotics. This information can then be used to train AI systems,
which can aid in a variety of healthcare procedures, including surgery. For example,
AI can deliver real-time warnings and ideas to doctors during a procedure,
thereby improving surgical outcomes.
Finally, the utilization of IoMT
for AI-assisted robotics at Maastricht University Medical Center constitutes a
significant development in healthcare. The center is able to perform difficult
surgical procedures with greater precision and control by utilizing the power
of linked devices and AI, resulting in improved patient outcomes and lower
healthcare costs. As the field of IoMT evolves, we should anticipate to see
more advancements in AI-assisted robots in healthcare.
7) Conclusion
Finally, the Internet of Medical
Things (IoMT) is transforming the healthcare industry by improving patient
care, increasing operational efficiency, and lowering healthcare costs. It is a
centralized infrastructure of smart devices, dedicated software, and a variety
of smart healthcare services that connects numerous medical devices and
technologies to enable for comprehensive surveillance of basic human body
indicators.
Because of its efficiency in
gathering, processing, and disseminating health data, IoMT has the potential to
alter the medical world. It provides real-time health monitoring, which speeds
up and improves the accuracy of diagnosis and therapy while also changing the
patient's behavior and health state. This has resulted in better patient
outcomes, fewer patient visits, and increased communication between doctors and
patients.
Furthermore, IoMT technologies
have helped to reduce per-patient expenses and optimize hospital workflows.
They have also aided in the management of hospital supplies, medications, and
medical devices, as well as in the monitoring of ambient factors such as
temperature and humidity for the benefit of patients and medical staff.
However, IoMT adoption and
implementation are not without difficulties. Cybersecurity is a serious worry
since any sort of digital technology can be attacked. Unauthorized access to
the centralized system could lead to equipment failure, operational delays, and
other catastrophic repercussions. As a result, it is critical for healthcare
companies to appropriately manage IoMT instruments and guarantee that they are
used by qualified workers.
Despite these obstacles, the IoMT
has successfully infiltrated our daily lives, simplifying many complex
processes and bringing several benefits. The market for IoMT devices and
services is expected to develop rapidly as the world population and average human
lifetime increase. The IoMT is predicted to drastically revolutionize numerous
medical procedures as technology matures, resulting in speedier, more
efficient, and more convenient patient care.
More advances in IoMT
technologies are expected in the future, including cloud integration in
existing apps and technologies that will streamline data sharing. Moving
forward, healthcare institutions must continue to invest in IoMT technology
while simultaneously tackling the obstacles and hazards connected with their
utilization.
FAQ’s
1) What is the Internet of
Medical Things (IoMT)?
The Internet of Medical Things
(IoMT) is a network of interconnected medical devices, platforms, and tools
that collect, analyze, and transmit data to healthcare information technology
systems through online computer networks
2) What are the main types of
IoMT devices?
Main types of IoMT devices
include wearable external devices (e.g., skin patches, insulin pumps, blood
glucose monitors), implanted medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, implantable
cardioverter defibrillators), and various healthcare monitoring systems
3) What are the key applications
of IoMT?
Key applications of IoMT include
assisting diagnosis and treatment, virtual assistants, robotic surgery, drug
research, drug interaction tracking, remote patient monitoring, and smart
medical devices such as smartwatches, smart thermometers, connected inhalers,
heart rate devices, and automated insulin delivery systems
4) What are the advantages of
IoMT?
Advantages of IoMT include
improved patient care, better treatment outcomes, reduced costs for patients,
better processes and workflows, improved performance and patient experience,
and enabling remote monitoring of patients
5) What are the challenges of
IoMT?
Challenges of IoMT include data
security threats, interoperability of data, regulatory challenges, high
infrastructure costs, standardization issues, and ensuring patient privacy and
safety
IoMT security is a significant
concern due to the sensitive nature of medical data and the potential impact on
patient safety. Many IoMT devices were not designed with security in mind,
making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Ensuring robust encryption techniques,
secure communication protocols, and strict access controls are essential to
protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and breaches
7) How can we increase IoMT
security?
Increasing IoMT security involves
adopting robust encryption techniques, secure communication protocols, strict
access controls, network segmentation, continuous monitoring, and regular
updates and patches for devices and systems. Implementing a Zero Trust security
model and using advanced technologies like blockchain, AI/ML, and physical
unclonable functions (PUFs) can also help enhance IoMT security
8) What are the risks associated
with IoMT?
Risks associated with IoMT
include data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive patient information,
malware and ransomware attacks, device hijacking, and potential harm to
patients due to compromised medical devices
9) How does IoMT affect
healthcare?
IoMT increases the amount of
health data available to caregivers, the variety of sources it comes from, and
the speed at which it is collected, transmitted, and analyzed. This improves
both patients' and providers' decision-making capabilities, enhances patient
care, and optimizes healthcare services
10) What is the market size and
growth rate of IoMT?
IoMT revenues reached $24 billion
worldwide in 2016, and this number is projected to increase to $135 billion by
2025
11) How does IoMT help in remote
patient monitoring?
IoMT enables remote patient
monitoring by collecting and transmitting vital health data such as body
temperature, blood pressure, oxygen and blood sugar levels, weight, and ECGs
via smartphone apps to health systems. This allows healthcare professionals to
monitor patients' health conditions in real-time and provide timely
interventions
12) What are the benefits of IoMT
in telemedicine?
IoMT supports telemedicine by
enabling real-time monitoring of patients, allowing doctors to provide accurate
recommendations without having to assess them in person. This reduces the need
for in-person visits, lowers healthcare costs, and improves patient access to
healthcare services
13) How does IoMT help in
diagnostics?
IoMT devices collect and transmit
a wide range of health data, enabling healthcare professionals to make more
accurate diagnoses and develop personalized treatment plans based on the
patient's specific health conditions
14) What are the environmental
impacts of IoMT?
The growing number of IoMT
devices and associated infrastructure can have environmental impacts, such as
electronic waste generation and increased energy consumption. Embracing
sustainable design principles, responsible disposal practices, and energy-efficient
technologies can help mitigate these challenges
15) How does IoMT help in asset
and personnel management in healthcare facilities?
IoMT helps healthcare facilities
manage their assets better by tracking medical equipment, monitoring equipment
performance, and predicting maintenance needs. It also enables real-time
tracking of patients and staff, improving workflow efficiency and patient
safety
16) What are the regulatory
challenges in IoMT?
Regulatory challenges in IoMT
include the need for approval and clearance from national regulators for
clinical-grade medical devices, compliance with privacy regulations such as
HIPAA and GDPR, and the development of governance standards and evidence-based
research to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of IoMT solutions
17) How does IoMT help in
medication adherence?
IoMT devices, such as smart pill
bottles and ingestible sensors, can track and monitor patients' medication
adherence, ensuring they take the right dosage at the right time. This helps
improve treatment outcomes and reduce healthcare costs
18) What are the scalability
challenges in IoMT?
Scalability challenges in IoMT
include ensuring that healthcare organizations, clinicians, and patients
understand the added value of connected medical devices and use them at scale
to drive better patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs
19) What are the data privacy
concerns in IoMT?
Data privacy concerns in IoMT
include protecting sensitive patient information from unauthorized access,
breaches, and exploitation. Compliance with privacy regulations such as HIPAA
and GDPR is essential to ensure patient data privacy
20) What is the future of IoMT?
The future of IoMT is expected to
see continued growth and adoption across various healthcare settings, including
in-home, in-hospital, on-body, and community applications. As technology
advances, IoMT will play an increasingly important role in improving patient
care, optimizing healthcare services, and reducing costs
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