In modern times, everyone is well aware of the fact that technological advancements aim to progress and grow rapidly. One of the reasons for this growth is also the fact that technology has widened its domains and tried its best to enter multiple fields and industries. For instance, if we look around us nowadays, there are different tech solutions for various industries like the education sector, military sector, sports sector, tourism industry, and many more. One of the industries that is known to be benefiting from tech services is the healthcare industry.
Technology in the healthcare industry has evolved over time in different ways. From efforts to hire iOS developers to develop mobile applications to connect patients with doctors to applications for medical services like ordering medicines and getting information regarding different medications and services, everyone is aware of or has used at least one mobile application that is used for medical purposes.
However, in this article, we will be focusing on one of the latest forms of technology in the tech world. We will be reviewing wearable technology in the healthcare sector in detail. So let’s start quickly with our subject.
Wearable Technology: An Evolved Form Of Technology
Wearable technology is one of the newest and most progressive forms of technological advancement for people. The stature of technology is predicted to increase in the upcoming years. By definition, any electronic equipment that is made to be worn on the user’s body is considered to be a form of wearable technology. For instance, these gadgets might be in the form of jewelry, accessories, medical equipment, clothes, or even individual clothing items.
In its simplest form, wearable technology works with biosensors that help keep track of the individual’s bodily movements and other important aspects.
Wearable Technology In Healthcare Sector: Changing Trends In The Medical World
If we take a look at wearable technology in terms of healthcare or medical purposes, it refers to body-worn health monitoring devices that help track the user’s health information. With the help of biosensors, these devices are able to gather a variety of patient data, including heart rate, blood pressure, sleep habits, etc. Additionally, they may retain patient health data and provide useful prescription reminders.
The Workings Of Wearable Technology In The Healthcare Sector
A question that is frequently asked by people is, “How does wearable technology work for healthcare purposes?” Well, the answer is pretty simple: like every other wearable technology, these devices and gadgets also utilize biosensors to make the technology work effectively and efficiently.
These biosensors are helpful in accurately monitoring a patient’s health. With the help of biological molecules like enzymes, these sensors aim to monitor or detect particular substances like glucose, cholesterol, medications, or health information like heart rate, blood pressure, and other useful information.
In wearable medical devices, there are two types of biosensors used to make this work possible.
- Photodiode Sensor
A sensor of this kind is now able to transform light energy into electrical energy. Photodiode sensors work by converting the information from a vein into usable data that is then translated back to the wearable device to communicate information to the user.
- Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) Sensor
CMOS is the kind of sensor known for its intelligence and precision. These sensors can precisely direct their focus and even block out other sounds and lights that can distort a medical reading.
What Are The Types Of Wearable Devices In The Healthcare Industry?
Moving forward in the article, we will now review the three types of wearable devices that are most commonly used in the healthcare sector.
- Health Monitoring Devices
- Therapeutic Devices.
- Activity Tracking Devices
- Health Monitoring Devices
As the name suggests, health monitoring devices are electronic gadgets that help in tracking, measuring, or getting information related to the vitals of an individual. For example, these devices utilize the technology of sensors and actuators to accurately measure the blood pressure, heart rate, levels of glucose, etc., in a person. They are helpful in understanding this information in easy language as well as passing the data directly to your physician with the help of a connected application.
- Therapeutic Devices
Therapeutic wearable medical devices are also an important kind of technological advancement in the healthcare sector. These devices help in measuring or detecting patient metrics related to different therapies in real time. Pain management, rehabilitation devices, insulin pumps, and respiratory therapy devices are some of the forms of information that can be detected with the help of such devices.
- Activity Tracking Devices
Lastly, the third type of wearable technology in the healthcare sector is activity tracking devices. These devices were not considered part of a medical solution at first. But with time, they have proven to help physicians and users maintain their health and get insightful information while relating the devices’ information with monitoring gadgets.
Some Of The Exceptional Wearable Technologies For Remote Monitoring Solutions
Healthcare wearable devices are the best solution to monitor your medical levels and maintain a healthy lifestyle remotely. In this section of the article, we will be reviewing some of the exceptional electronic gadgets designed in this regard.
- CGM Sensors
- ECG Sensors
- Electronic Skin Patches
- PPG Sensors
- Pregnancy And Newborn Monitors
- Others
- CGM Sensors
CGM sensors are known as continuous glucose monitoring sensors. These sensors are usually designed in a way that they sit under your skin, mostly on the stomach or arms, if we talk about what purpose they serve. They help individuals with type 1 diabetes measure their blood sugar levels and act accordingly based on the data they receive.
With the help of the data these sensors provide, physicians can easily modify or change the treatment plans of patients.
- ECG Sensors
An electrocardiogram, commonly known as an ECG, is a medical procedure that helps individuals get information regarding their heart rate and easily detect any abnormalities in it. Electronic devices that are built to monitor ECG levels allow users to track their heart activity and detect diseases that often go unnoticed by practitioners. Other than patients, regular users can also utilize these sensors for fitness purposes.
- Electronic Skin Patches
Electronic skin patches, in themselves, are not wearable medical devices. Instead, these patches are attached to the user’s body. The transmitters in these patches deliver important health signals and data to the wearable devices, which helps individuals keep a check on different kinds of information like monitoring vital signs, motion detection, wound care, etc.
- PPG Sensors
Photoplethysmography, commonly known as PPG technology, enables sensors to detect and keep track of blood flow to the user’s heart. PPG sensors are more convenient than ECG sensors as they utilize light sensors and are portable.
- Pregnancy And Newborn Monitors
Next in line is wearable technology in healthcare for pregnant mothers and babies. Infant monitors are usually linked to the foot or ankle. They help in measuring breathing, sleep, and movement in real time. In contrast, pregnancy monitors offer 24/7 information about the heartbeat and movements of a fetus as well as measuring the vitals of the mother.
- Others
Other varieties of wearable healthcare devices and technology include smartwatches, smart glasses, smart clothing, smart contact lenses, sports and fitness trackers, etc.
Wrapping Up: Healthcare’s Future: Adopting Wearable Technology And Remote Monitoring Solutions
The future of the healthcare industry with regard to wearable technology seems pretty promising and progressive. With the passing of time, people are getting interested in switching from traditional medical data monitoring modes to technological ones. It is high time for pharmaceutical or medical companies to get in touch with an Android or iOS app development company to adopt these changing patterns.