Originally Published MEM Fall 2003
FROM THE EDITOR
Wireless is working its way into the hearts—and maybe the heart monitors—of medical electronics manufacturers. In a report published earlier this year, In-Stat/MDR identifies healthcare as one of the two leading vertical markets that will grow aggressively in the next several years. Medical applications offer the greatest opportunities in the near term.
The report also found that Bluetooth technology is ideal for short-distance applications that lend themselves to low power, such as patient monitoring, and for upgrading instrumentation now using serial adapters. Most initial uses of Bluetooth replace cables in applications such as patient-information and patient-monitoring systems, says Joyce Putscher, In-Stat research director.
Although the opportunities for replacing existing wired systems will be limited in the long run, the report notes that this approach is the easiest to implement in the short term. Adding new wireless capabilities will be a slower process, but it presents greater prospects over time.
With more than 50% of medical devices manufactured in the United States, U.S. interest is high for Bluetooth deployment in medical equipment, the report says. Several companies are developing patient-monitoring systems that integrate Bluetooth technology. Interest is also high in Europe—particularly in Italy and Germany—for implementing Bluetooth into medical applications.
Building on the industry's momentum, the upcoming Bluetooth Americas conference has slated a dedicated medical track with topics ranging from cable telemetry to wearable wireless Bluetooth medical sensors. One session will focus on real-life Bluetooth medical devices. For more information on the conference, which will be held in San Jose December 9–11, go to http://www.ibctelecoms.com/bluetoothamericas.
Despite this surge in interest, however, many medical device companies say they will still wait until they feel that Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, and other wireless technologies have been proven before integrating wireless systems into their devices. "All indications point to deployments that will be incremental in nature," says Putscher.
With many tests and trials taking place and a few products now getting to market, it appears that the time has come for medical developers to look to wireless—whether Bluetooth, 802.11, or some other technology—as a necessity rather than an option in new products.
Sherrie Conroy, Editor
Copyright ©2003 Medical Electronics Manufacturing
