AT&T, Inc. has teamed up with biotricity, a medical diagnostic and consumer healthcare technology company to power wearable medical devices. As part of the collaboration, AT&T will serve as biotricity ‘s preferred network to power these devices with near real-time connectivity for data transmission. AT&T is currently already providing a pilot for connectivity based on the pending launch of biocricity’s flagship, the bioflux solutions by year-end.
AT&T will power biotricity’s wearable medical devices with near real-time connectivity for data transmission which supports the company’s vision of creating a true Internet of Things (IoT) enabled wearable medical device. Connectivity will commence with the pending launch of biotricity’s bioflux solution, which is expected to launch by the end of the year.
“For medical device manufacturers to successfully enter and establish themselves in the new connected healthcare industry, it is imperative that they look beyond traditional forms of technological innovation. IoT, for example, would be an avenue for consideration and medical device manufacturers are uniquely positioned to be successful in this market, as they have a profound understanding of the regulatory process, critical applications, and patient risk,” said biotricity founder and CEO Waqaas Al-Siddiq . “As we prepare to commercialize our first medical solution, we understand the importance of integrating IoT into next generation devices within the regulatory environment, as we believe there will be a true market advantage.”
The Internet of Things (IoT) is penetrating all sectors of technology at an accelerating pace. IDC predicts the global market for the Internet of Things will nearly triple, reaching $1.7 trillion by 2020. This predicted increase is indicative of the importance IoT will have on innovation within the healthcare industry, and specifically medical devices which can provide relevant near real-time feedback to engage healthcare professionals in a timely manner. IoT connected devices will also allow medical device manufacturers to improve on preventative healthcare, remote patient home care and critical response care.
By enabling the medical community to perform deep data analytics and ultimately increase the efficiency and effectiveness of care, the utilization of IoT in medical devices will support key initiatives such as preventative care, home care, critical care response and others. In fact, as medical device manufacturers, healthcare practitioners, and enthusiasts continue to embrace the benefits of technology in healthcare, the intersection of medical technology and IoT will become increasingly more important.
