Cars, home appliances, and even heart rate monitors can be connected via the IoT. One of the most promising areas for the usage of IoT devices, especially in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, is health care (Smart Health). Thanks to the Internet of Things, healthcare is becoming more mobile, the process of acquiring and analyzing patient data and diagnosis is accelerating, and the efficiency of medicare is increasing.
From MedTech to Smart Health for everyone
How are the smart gadgets used in medicine? First, to monitor the condition of patients: devices in operating rooms, intensive care units and postoperative hospitals can monitor vital signs of patients and instantly alert doctors in case of danger. Secondly, the sensors can read temperature in laboratories, freezers and wards. And if somewhere the temperature deviates from the norm, it can be fixed remotely. Thirdly, when transporting medicines that require a certain temperature regime, refrigerators with sensors are extremely needed. And of course, telemedicine – technologies help doctors to consult patients remotely, even when the whole world has gone to lockdown due to a pandemic.
But smart technologies can help not only in professional medicine, they are becoming more and more important for a person’s daily life. Smartphone apps and fitness bracelets monitor dozens of parameters of our physical condition, ionizers purify the air, and special lamps purify various surfaces from viruses and bacteria.
Observation from EarlySense
Massachusetts-based startup EarlySense has developed a dedicated sensor-based inpatient monitoring platform. They read patient data such as heart rate and respiratory rate, allowing nursing staff to respond instantly to deterioration. The company plans to supply such devices to patients in cardiology and intensive care units.
Smart pill box AdhereTech
It can be difficult for patients to control their medication schedule and dosage of pills. A New York-based company makes smart pill boxes with wireless connectivity and a rechargeable battery. The service life of the device is up to five years. The gadget automatically sends information about the compliance with the time for taking medications, and if the patient misses the appointment, he will receive a personal notification – an automatic phone call or a text message.
Epilepsy sensor Byteflies
A wearable device made by UCB and Byteflies can predict the timing of an impending epileptic seizure. The Belgian company Byteflies, with the biopharmaceutical company UCB is working on technology to monitor difficult-to-measure seizures experienced by people with epilepsy.
HearScreen Smartphone Audiometer
The HearX Group has developed a mobile app that offers cost effective and clinically proven hearing loss screening tools. They estimate that 466 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss and this simple IoT solution is helping to change lives. The average testing time is less than a minute.
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Flexible gadgets for rehabilitation Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
For the rehabilitation of patients after a stroke, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab uses special flexible gadgets. They are attached to the neck to control the ability to swallow, as well as to track speech disorders (aphasia). A stroke patient can stay at home and do daily activities rather than lie in the hospital – the information is tracked in real time and speeds up the person’s rehabilitation.
Portable UV lamp Mini Indigo from Perenio
A portable UV lamp for local disinfection of indoor air and surfaces kills germs and viruses with ultraviolet light and ozone. You can take it with you on a trip, office, car or any other place where there may be danger. Ultraviolet radiation in the spectrum of 200-300 nm causes destruction and damage to the genetic structures of microorganisms. It is enough to turn on the lamp for just 30 minutes a day to clean the room. The manufacturer also has a smart kit consisting of a stationary lamp and a Wi-Fi socket, through which the lamp is controlled remotely from the application.
https://perenio.com/catalog/portable-uv-lamp-mini-indigo-black-pemuv02
Breathing Assistant BULO
It monitors your lungs and offers customized exercises to improve lung capacity and health. It is a wellness gadget that helps you regulate your breathing if you suffer from anxiety. It is also beneficial for athletes, musicians and those living in polluted environments. The device weighs only 55 g and can be taken anywhere. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=233080147885535