The Internet of Things in the medical sphere can be described as the interconnection via the internet of computing devices embedded in medical devices, enabling them to receive and send data.
In a medical setting this can be utilised in a wide variety of medical device applications, most notably in hospitals, nursing facilities and patient homes.
“The data gathered in these IoT systems can be utilised to help improve the programming for implantable devices,” said Nexeon chairman and CEO Will Rosellini.
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“An average patient with a chronic disease typically takes more than five different medications everyday, most of which need to be taken at different times of the day and have specific dietary recommendations to accompany the dosages. This same patient is typically demonstrating symptoms associated with cognitive, psychiatric, and motor disorders as well. The promise of keeping the device in the right therapeutic range with data from the IoT is extraordinary.”
Nexeon has acquired the licensing to 86 patents from Siemens related to the IoT to help focus on the development of deep learning systems for implantable medical devices.
The portfolio’s subject matter is directed toward self-healing control networks for building automation systems in the hospital and the home. The patents are relevant to wireless mesh networks for use in the IoT and enable simple commissioning, application level security, simplified bridging, and end-to-end IP security.
There is a growing trend in electrophysiology toward remote home-monitoring of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) devices, pacemakers, and implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs).
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By enabling more automated device management and data integration, advanced devices could enable the quantified self (keeping up to date on your health on a day-to-day basis).
“Siemens is one of the most innovative firms in the world,” Rosellini continued. “Integrating their network innovation with our patient-specific solutions will substantially reduce the burden of chronic disease. By addressing this unmet need, we will create tremendous value in the form of better, faster care with fewer in-office visits required, easier access to more accurate patient information, and decreased complications and undesired side effects due to more precise therapy and better monitoring.”
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