Difference between revisions of "Smart device"
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Over the past several years, the world’s consumer markets have been transformed with the design and release of smart devices. The most notable example of this is the now-ubiquitous smartphone, but it also includes other devices such as tablets, “phablets” and a large number of “wearables” like FitBits™. In the wake of this technological transformation on how people communicate and interact with the world, the healthcare industry has started to adopt this technology for its own, specific uses. Medical devices are rapidly being upgraded (or designed initially) to have these capabilities to leverage existing IT infrastructures with the goal of providing more comprehensive and real-time monitoring, sharing and analysis of medical data. | Over the past several years, the world’s consumer markets have been transformed with the design and release of smart devices. The most notable example of this is the now-ubiquitous smartphone, but it also includes other devices such as tablets, “phablets” and a large number of “wearables” like FitBits™. In the wake of this technological transformation on how people communicate and interact with the world, the healthcare industry has started to adopt this technology for its own, specific uses. Medical devices are rapidly being upgraded (or designed initially) to have these capabilities to leverage existing IT infrastructures with the goal of providing more comprehensive and real-time monitoring, sharing and analysis of medical data. | ||
| − | == | + | == Internet of Things == |
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| + | The Internet of Things refers to ever-growing number of smart devices, ranging from “smart appliances” to smartphones/tablets to wearable devices that are all talking to each other at all times. Although smartphones were the innovators driving the initial development, companies that develop products for healthcare have been quick to leverage the technology and increase the scope of the Internet of Things. Hospital and Health Networks has offered a functional definition of what qualifies a device to be considered part of the Internet of Things: a device must be aware, a device must be autonomous and a device must be actionable [LINK]. A device that is aware is essentially a sensor of some sort. For healthcare purposes, it might be measuring something like heart rate or body temperature. A device that is autonomous essentially performs a data transmission function on its own, based on whatever parameters with which it is programmed. For healthcare purposes, this might be, on an hourly basis, sending heart rate or temperature data that it has measured to a central database somewhere. Finally, a device that is actionable means that it is monitoring something with a specific action to be taken when a parameter enters a certain range. For healthcare purposes, it might be transmitting a warning alert to a patient’s doctor or family members when body temperature gets too high or, worse, heart rate goes to zero. | ||
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| + | Right now, the Internet of Things in healthcare is very much in its infancy, but it has already had a significant impact on healthcare. Examples of this technology already in use include things like the consumer-based devices (FitBits), wearable devices like insulin pumps, implanted devices like pacemakers and bodily function sensors and stationary monitors like IV pumps and fetal monitors [LINK]. While impressive, these initial devices still have a very limited scope of use. However, new devices that will be part of the Internet of Things are going to be released over the next several years that are going to greatly increase this scope and very likely transform healthcare. | ||
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| + | A major topic of interest in Informatics is smart device integration with electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Smart device integration has been discussed by Rausch and Judd in 2006 (Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;Suppl:6740-3). These authors mention that "interoperability between medical devices and electronic medical records (EMR) is one key to developing a system of higher quality, safety and efficient healthcare delivery." | ||
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| + | The integration of these smart chips with medical devices can be one-way (for example, from device to EMR) or two-way communication. There are use cases for both. For example, in the case of a pulse-oximeter, one way posting of data to the EMR from the device may be all that is necessary to automate the documentation and monitoring functions provided by the device itself. On the other hand, two-way communication via wireless networks between the EMR and smart infusion pumps has been proposed and successfully implemented, albeit in very few locations to date. | ||
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== Smart Device Integration== | == Smart Device Integration== | ||
Revision as of 01:26, 27 October 2015
Smart devices are mechanical devices that have been integrated with semiconductor computer chips (CPUs, memory and/or logic computer chips) in order to allow them to interface and communicate with other devices or with the Internet, in general.
Contents
Introduction
Over the past several years, the world’s consumer markets have been transformed with the design and release of smart devices. The most notable example of this is the now-ubiquitous smartphone, but it also includes other devices such as tablets, “phablets” and a large number of “wearables” like FitBits™. In the wake of this technological transformation on how people communicate and interact with the world, the healthcare industry has started to adopt this technology for its own, specific uses. Medical devices are rapidly being upgraded (or designed initially) to have these capabilities to leverage existing IT infrastructures with the goal of providing more comprehensive and real-time monitoring, sharing and analysis of medical data.
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things refers to ever-growing number of smart devices, ranging from “smart appliances” to smartphones/tablets to wearable devices that are all talking to each other at all times. Although smartphones were the innovators driving the initial development, companies that develop products for healthcare have been quick to leverage the technology and increase the scope of the Internet of Things. Hospital and Health Networks has offered a functional definition of what qualifies a device to be considered part of the Internet of Things: a device must be aware, a device must be autonomous and a device must be actionable [LINK]. A device that is aware is essentially a sensor of some sort. For healthcare purposes, it might be measuring something like heart rate or body temperature. A device that is autonomous essentially performs a data transmission function on its own, based on whatever parameters with which it is programmed. For healthcare purposes, this might be, on an hourly basis, sending heart rate or temperature data that it has measured to a central database somewhere. Finally, a device that is actionable means that it is monitoring something with a specific action to be taken when a parameter enters a certain range. For healthcare purposes, it might be transmitting a warning alert to a patient’s doctor or family members when body temperature gets too high or, worse, heart rate goes to zero.
Right now, the Internet of Things in healthcare is very much in its infancy, but it has already had a significant impact on healthcare. Examples of this technology already in use include things like the consumer-based devices (FitBits), wearable devices like insulin pumps, implanted devices like pacemakers and bodily function sensors and stationary monitors like IV pumps and fetal monitors [LINK]. While impressive, these initial devices still have a very limited scope of use. However, new devices that will be part of the Internet of Things are going to be released over the next several years that are going to greatly increase this scope and very likely transform healthcare.
A major topic of interest in Informatics is smart device integration with electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Smart device integration has been discussed by Rausch and Judd in 2006 (Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;Suppl:6740-3). These authors mention that "interoperability between medical devices and electronic medical records (EMR) is one key to developing a system of higher quality, safety and efficient healthcare delivery."
The integration of these smart chips with medical devices can be one-way (for example, from device to EMR) or two-way communication. There are use cases for both. For example, in the case of a pulse-oximeter, one way posting of data to the EMR from the device may be all that is necessary to automate the documentation and monitoring functions provided by the device itself. On the other hand, two-way communication via wireless networks between the EMR and smart infusion pumps has been proposed and successfully implemented, albeit in very few locations to date.
Smart Device Integration
A major topic of interest for informaticians is smart device integration with electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Smart device integration has been discussed by Rausch and Judd in 2006 (Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;Suppl:6740-3). These authors mention that "interoperability between medical devices and electronic medical records (EMR) is one key to developing a system of higher quality , safer, and efficient healthcare delivery."
Device integration can be one-way (from device to EMR) or two-way communication. There are use cases for both. For example, in the case of a pulse-oximeter, one way posting of data to the EMR from the device may be all that is necessary to automate the documentation and monitoring functions provided by the device itself. On the other hand, two-way communication via wireless networks between the EMR and smart infusion pumps has been proposed and successfully implemented, albeit in very few locations to date.
Adoption
The adoption of managing chronic illness utilizing mobile phone technology may ultimately lead to a reduction in hospital admissions and subsequently a reduction in healthcare dollars being spent. For complex management of chronic disease usability and user-interface design are of prime importance. New touch interfaces, such as the iPhone, are a considerable improvement in terms of usability. As mobile phone technology improves the ‘average phone’ will be equipped with optimal device features such as SMS/MMS, glucometer, air sensor, and GPS. Smith, Joshua C., and Bruce R. Schatz. "Feasibility of Mobile Phone-Based Management of Chronic Illness." Proc. of AMIA 2010 Symposium, Washington, D.C. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. [1].
Regulation of Medical Devices, including "Smart" Medical Devices
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration provides regulatory oversight for medical devices, including some "smart" devices such as smart infusion pumps (see www.fda.gov/CDRH/510khome.html#download).
The FDA program governing these devices takes its name from section 510(k) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act which requires manufacturers to register and notify FDA before marketing a medical device. 510(k) is known also as Premarket Notification (PMN).
