Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is an integrated infrastructure of the healthcare systems and services to medical devices and software applications that.
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Key takeaways
- The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is an integrated infrastructure of the healthcare systems and services to medical devices and software applications that transmit real-time data through a network of technologies.
- Rogue access: Interception of traffic by installing forged gateway within wireless network range.
- In the future, medical professionals can expect further simplification with further advancements in the IoMT, which will benefit the patients and the healthcare system.
What Is IoMT (Internet of Medical Things)? #
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is an integrated infrastructure of the healthcare systems and services to medical devices and software applications that transmit real-time data through a network of technologies. The IoMT is a subcategory of the Internet of Things (IoT).
IoMT brings together the patient, doctors, and caregivers by providing data and processes that enable the caregiver to deliver efficient patient support through connected medical devices, biometric monitors, and smart devices, and wearable.
With the challenge to better serve patients and reducing expenses, IoMT can be the game-changer by streamlining processes and ultimately lowering costs.
The healthcare industry has joined the digitalization bandwagon over the last few years, and COVID-19 has necessitated faster adaption of the technology. COVID-19 brought about the need for more connected medical devices and smart monitoring. Many manufacturers of medical devices came out with smart integrated medical devices, which helped the hospital systems, healthcare providers, and governments save lives by early detection of pathogens and providing appropriate patient care.
The Potential of IoMT in Healthcare #
The IoMT has benefited the healthcare industry in many ways, right from convenience to the patient receiving treatment to hospitals and medical practitioners providing patient care.
An article in the Fortune Business Insights states, “The global Internet of Things in healthcare market size was USD 71.84 in 2020. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a significant growth of 24.1% in 2020 compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The market is projected to grow from USD 89.07 billion in 2021 to USD 446.52 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 25.9% during the 2021-2028 period.”
Some of the advantages brought about by the IoMT are its more accurate diagnosis & prognosis, fewer errors, better patient care, and significantly reduced treatment costs.
Hospitals and clinics have readily embraced the IoMT as it is more cost-efficient and improves the quality of patient care. The technology allows medical practitioners to monitor patients remotely, and with any changes in medical parameters, the medical staff is alerted and can take the appropriate corrective measures.
The introduction of medical devices in the healthcare industry played a significant role in diagnosing and preventive treatment of chronic illnesses. These assistive medical devices have eased the burden of physicians, giving them more time to focus on patient treatment. The integration of IoT in devices like scanners, x-ray machines, MRI machines, etc allows early detection and treatment of potentially fatal conditions like cancer, heart conditions, and many more diseases.
Security Concerns of IoMT: #
Like any device connected to a network, IoMT is also vulnerable to cybersecurity threats to medical devices. Patient health and information are at risk when smart devices get hacked and crumble the healthcare system infrastructure.
Some of the security concern points are:
Endpoint Security: IoMT devices are generally not designed to keep security in mind; hence medical devices are defenseless against hackers as they lack a robust firewall and mostly use default passwords. Hackers gain easy access to these devices and perform unauthorized manipulations to the device software. The lack of security can lead to failure to comply with HIPAA regulations, data manipulation, and loss of Patient Health Information (PHI). MedTech companies need to develop anti-malware mechanics to protect devices from spyware and Trojan attacks.
Communication Security: Mobile apes and smart telehealth devices use VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) for audio and video communication for doctor-patient interaction. They carry vital signs of the patient from smart devices to the hospital network. These data can be intercepted by hackers and be compromised.
Different IoMT Attack Types #
- Side-channel: A side-channel attack indirectly exploits security by monitoring the electromagnetic activity around a medical device.
- Tag cloning: Duplication of gathered data for unauthorized access to confidential patient information.
- Tampering devices: Physically tampering with sensors to manipulate functioning by exploiting firmware vulnerabilities to install malware and then take control of the device.
- Sensor tracking: Attack of patient monitoring devices that have GPS sensors that send information to doctors and steal or send inaccurate data.
- Replay: Reuse of previously exchanged authenticating message to hack a device.
- Rogue access: Interception of traffic by installing forged gateway within wireless network range.
- Cross-Site request forgery (CSRF): Tricking end-user using vulnerable applications.
- Brute force: Using trial and error and guessing login info hackers gain access to IoMT devices.
Applications of IoMT: #
- Hospitals and ClinicsIoMT devices are increasingly used in hospitals and clinics to improve healthcare quality and reduce cost and time. Some examples are X-ray machines and CT scans. Also, smart apes are used for patient monitoring and connecting patients and doctors.
- Home and remote areasTelemedicine enables Remote Patient Monitoring for patients with severe illnesses and avoiding frequent doctor visits. These devices can monitor glucose levels, blood pressure, heart rates and automatically alert the doctors.
- On-the-Body/wearable devicesBiosensors are used in making wearable medical devices that are embedded into apparel or attached to the skin to monitor patient health parameters.
- Patient Information ManagementIoMT helps store useful information like a patients past medical history, family history, and personal information (contact details blood group, insurance details), which are easily accessible to the healthcare providers at the time of treatment. The technology also enables medical practitioners to monitor real-time patients vital parameters so the course of treatment can be altered based on the patients response to the line of treatment.
- Inventory managementThe use of automation in inventory management systems in the inventory of medical supplies (storage, application, demand, orders and inspection) ensures effective utilization of resources by reducing time, effort, documentation, and money.
It also helps monitor the stock of medical supplies, healthcare support supplies, locating hospital equipment like stretchers, wheelchair and other assets, making smooth functioning of hospital processes. 6. Research and analysisWith a large amount of patient information easily available on cloud servers, it makes analysis and research work easy and in a reduced period.
The analysis of the available data sets is valuable as they help take preventive measures, improved treatment, and develop more effective drugs. Hospitals can make quicker informed decisions on treatment and minimize errors with the statistical report generated, thus improving thousands of lives.
Future of IoMT #
In the past, home visits were made by physicians to check on their patients. But today, we no longer need home visits. With the advancement in technology, and in particular, electronic and digital technology, telemedicine allows the healthcare practitioner to communicate with the patient requiring fewer hospital visits.
Frost & Sullivan research indicates “growth of nearly 20-25% in-patient engagement management solutions in 2021 alone”. There is a demand for digital healthcare as patients are now accustomed to the convenience of their treatment.
Platforms Offering Digital Point-of-Care testing will play a substantial role in the future as they benefit from the leverage of machine learning (MI) and artificial intelligence (AI).
Connected Devices and IoT: Smart connected devices allow real-time patients data to be collected, processed, and shared with caregivers so they can address problems immediately. The demand for smart devices is on the rise as they play a significant role in the healthcare industry.
AR-VR Collaboration: Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) tools are in the product development process with several software and hardware vendors collaborating to provide the best solution for patient and clinicians.
Biosensors and Wearable: Biosensors are emerging as a key technology because of their potential analytical tools used both in point-of-care diagnostics and wearable devices. They hold an advantage over traditional methods as they can predict variations in a patients clinical condition by analyzing the blood, sweat and other biological agents.
Conclusion #
With the growth of the internet and medical devices, IoMT has transformed monitoring and controlling capabilities to accomplish higher standards of patient care. Wearable devices have reduced the burden of physicians and eased patients have embraced the use of these devices.
In the future, medical professionals can expect further simplification with further advancements in the IoMT, which will benefit the patients and the healthcare system.
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