• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

  • Opinion
  • Health IT
    • Behavioral Health
    • Care Coordination
    • EMR/EHR
    • Interoperability
    • Patient Engagement
    • Population Health Management
    • Revenue Cycle Management
    • Social Determinants of Health
  • Digital Health
    • AI
    • Blockchain
    • Precision Medicine
    • Telehealth
    • Wearables
  • Startups
  • M&A
  • Value-based Care
    • Accountable Care (ACOs)
    • Medicare Advantage
  • Life Sciences
  • Research

Edge Computing’s Role in Shaping the Future of Wearable Healthcare

by Jiang Li, founder and CEO of Vivalink 11/15/2023 Leave a Comment

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
Jiang Li, founder and CEO of Vivalink

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has become an integral part of modern healthcare, utilizing wearable devices to track patients’ conditions outside the clinic or hospital setting. Devices like these collect critical information from patients, such as their heart rate, activity levels, and temperature, which providers can use for real-time insights to guide treatment and identify conditions proactively.

Due to the technology’s inherent advantages, providers and researchers have increasingly embraced wearables, generating an influx of health-related data. However, traditional cloud computing struggles to handle increased data volumes, resulting in slower processing speeds and potential data loss.

Edge computing is the key to managing these large quantities of data. It processes data at the source rather than sending it to distant locations, ensuring faster speeds and improved data security. Edge computing in the healthcare market, in terms of revenue, was estimated at $4.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to surge to $12.9 billion by 2028, according to a recent report by MarketsandMarkets.

As edge computing technology becomes more prominent, it is crucial to properly design workflows in order to take advantage of more timely processing near the source of the data as well as minimizing latency and workload on the cloud. For example, some data at the edge never needs to be sent to the cloud, while others may be transferred retroactively or in bulk, thereby not requiring real-time processing, which is network and computing-intensive. 

The Evolution of Edge Computing in RPM

Traditional cloud computing models are limited in their ability to handle substantial real-time data volumes. Bandwidth limitations can cause transmission delays for critical patient information, hindering timely analysis and prompt treatment. Plus, storing sensitive medical data on remote cloud servers can generate concerns about data protection.

Edge computing’s advantages are particularly evident for RPM data processing. With its rapid analysis of critical patient data, healthcare professionals can make timely decisions and interventions. By processing data closer to its origin, edge computing minimizes network congestion, improving overall data processing speeds. It also enhances patient data privacy by retaining sensitive information closer to its source, reducing exposure to potential security breaches.

On top of that, edge computing facilitates real-time data validation and preprocessing at the source, allowing immediate detection and response before transmitting data to the central cloud infrastructure. With this capability, edge computing enhances data accuracy and addresses practical processing challenges, ultimately improving data quality and reliability for analysis.

Expanding Reach and Accessibility in RPM 

With the advancement of edge computing technology in wearable devices, patients benefit not just from improved convenience, but also from a deeper level of engagement in their healthcare. 

Edge computing plays a crucial role in expanding RPM’s reach by enabling remote patient participation and broadening the candidate pool for clinical trials. Researchers can engage individuals previously excluded due to geographical constraints. The result is a more diverse participant demographic, enriching healthcare insights and research outcomes.

By leveraging edge computing, RPM can extend its reach beyond geographical boundaries, improving patient outcomes and increasing access to healthcare. As a result, previously underserved patient populations, including those in rural areas, can benefit from remote monitoring and timely interventions.

New Biomarkers Driving The Need For Edge Computing

Key advancements in RPM, such as continuous monitoring and real-time data streaming, have fueled the technology’s increasing adoption and are likely to contribute to the discovery of new biomarkers. The emergence of new biomarkers increases the demand for efficient and sophisticated data processing methods.

The analysis of such biomarkers requires substantial computational resources, often surpassing the capabilities of conventional data processing systems. This is even more critical when providers monitor patients in real time and need quick insights for diagnosis. New biomarkers are useful for faster and more accurate disease identification, but efficient data processing is essential.

Edge computing optimizes biomarker validation and integration by efficiently distributing computational tasks to devices equipped with edge computing capabilities, such as wearables and mobile phones. It minimizes latency, accelerates analysis, and ensures prompt results for effective medical interventions. Plus, edge computing can streamline the integration of biomarker algorithms into RPM devices, making advanced diagnostic tools more efficient. 

Design Considerations for Future of Wearable Technology

Incorporating edge computing technology into RPM devices is a game-changer for efficient data handling. Designers play a pivotal role in maximizing edge computing’s full potential to ensure seamless collection, processing, and transmission of patient data.

When designing for edge computing in RPM, here are some questions to consider:

  • Does the data need immediate attention at the edge?
  • Is the data only used for local processing, and therefore not needed in the cloud?
  • Can the data be sent to the cloud retroactively or in bulk, versus in real time?

As the volume of data generated by RPM continues to expand, the demand for enhanced storage and connectivity capabilities is critical. Edge computing optimizes local data storage for immediate access and processing. Designers can focus on integrating storage solutions that align with the device’s edge processing capabilities, enabling efficient data storage and retrieval.

As RPM demand increases, traditional cloud computing limitations highlight the need for innovative solutions. Edge computing empowers healthcare providers with instant access to critical patient data for accurate diagnoses, personalized treatments, and early interventions. Its capacity to handle large volumes of real-time data boosts data reliability, enhances patient engagement, and improves accessibility.


About Jiang Li

Jiang Li, founder and CEO of Vivalink, has both passion and extensive experience in bringing innovative technology and products into the marketplace. Li’s nearly 20-year career in high technology took a new direction when a routine health check landed him at the ER under examination out of fear he was in the middle of a heart attack. Noticing the outdated monitoring technologies in the hospital, he knew emerging technologies could be properly implemented and sought to apply his background in flexible electronics to healthcare. Prior to joining Vivalink, he was responsible for new product and technology development as the VP of engineering in Kovio and Thinfilm Electronics, leading printed electronics companies. Prior to that, he worked at AMD and the joint venture between AMD/Fujitsu, Spansion. As the VP of product engineering in Spansion, Jiang managed the major new product launches in Spansion. Jiang holds a Ph.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a bachelor’s degree from Zhejiang University in China. 

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print

Tagged With: remote patient monitoring

Tap Native

Get in-depth healthcare technology analysis and commentary delivered straight to your email weekly

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to HIT Consultant

Latest insightful articles delivered straight to your inbox weekly.

Submit a Tip or Pitch

Featured Insights

2025 EMR Software Pricing Guide

2025 EMR Software Pricing Guide

Featured Interview

Paradigm Shift in Diabetes Care with Studio Clinics: Q&A with Reach7 Founder Chun Yong

Most-Read

Medtronic to Separate Diabetes Business into New Standalone Company

Medtronic to Separate Diabetes Business into New Standalone Company

White House, IBM Partner to Fight COVID-19 Using Supercomputers

HHS Sets Pricing Targets for Trump’s EO on Most-Favored-Nation Drug Pricing

23andMe to Mine Genetic Data for Drug Discovery

Regeneron to Acquire Key 23andMe Assets for $256M, Pledges Continuity of Consumer Genome Services

CureIS Healthcare Sues Epic: Alleges Anti-Competitive Practices & Trade Secret Theft

The Evolving Role of Physician Advisors: Bridging the Gap Between Clinicians and Administrators

The Evolving Physician Advisor: From UM to Value-Based Care & AI

UnitedHealth Group Names Stephen Hemsley CEO as Andrew Witty Steps Down

UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty Steps Down, Stephen Hemsley Returns as CEO

Omada Health Files for IPO

Omada Health Files for IPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Launches "CloseKnit" Virtual-First Primary Care Option

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Launches “CloseKnit” Virtual-First Primary Care Option

Osteoboost Launches First FDA-Cleared Prescription Wearable Nationwide to Combat Low Bone Density

Osteoboost Launches First FDA-Cleared Prescription Wearable Nationwide to Combat Low Bone Density

2019 MedTech Breakthrough Award Category Winners Announced

MedTech Breakthrough Announces 2025 MedTech Breakthrough Award Winners

Secondary Sidebar

Footer

Company

  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Reprints and Permissions
  • Submit An Op-Ed
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

Editorial Coverage

  • Opinion
  • Health IT
    • Care Coordination
    • EMR/EHR
    • Interoperability
    • Population Health Management
    • Revenue Cycle Management
  • Digital Health
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Blockchain Tech
    • Precision Medicine
    • Telehealth
    • Wearables
  • Startups
  • Value-Based Care
    • Accountable Care
    • Medicare Advantage

Connect

Subscribe to HIT Consultant Media

Latest insightful articles delivered straight to your inbox weekly

Copyright © 2025. HIT Consultant Media. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy |