Overview of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) 

How did we reach a point where surgeons rely on robots and where patients monitor their health 24/7 without setting foot in a doctor’s office? What once felt like science fiction has become an everyday reality for patients, healthcare providers (HCPs), and hospitals.  

Pressing challenges drove the adoption of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). By 2050, the population aged 65 and older is projected to grow by an astounding 47%, with more older adults remaining single compared to previous generations. At the same time, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases continues to strain healthcare systems.  

If you aspire to capitalize on a growing IoMT market, this article is a good place to start mapping your journey. The Viseven team delves into the types of IoT in healthcare, its benefits, challenges, and, most importantly, actionable strategies to help you succeed in this dynamic space. 

What is the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) or Healthcare IoT? 

The IoMT, or Healthcare IoT, refers to a network of medical devices and software that gather, analyze, and share healthcare data via the Internet. Put simply, IoMT brings together the digital and physical worlds, using interconnected medical devices to enhance the patient’s journey. This technology improves decision-making during the diagnosis and treatment and elevates the medical services. 

Common examples of IoMT include: 

• Telehealth solutions for virtual consultations 
• Portable diagnostic devices 
• Smart pills 
• Smart medical devices, like connected inhalers or glucose monitors. 

What Impact Does IoMT Have on Healthcare? 

The number of IoMT users is projected to soar from 47.63 million in 2025 to 67.49 million in 2028, according to Statista. What drives this rapid adoption? What benefits make IoMT so appealing? Let’s explore them together. 

Early treatment 

Sometimes, every day and even every minute counts when patients are dealing with serious chronic conditions. The sooner healthcare providers diagnose and begin treatment, the higher the chances of survival. Wearables can alert a patient to seek medical attention, even when they are showing no symptoms.  

Take a life-saving Oura Ring story, for example. The ring owner, Dave, was dedicated to CrossFit and maintained a healthy lifestyle. Dave had not noticed anything unusual about his heart rate, but his Oura Ring did. After learning about a high resting heart rate, he scheduled a doctor’s appointment and was diagnosed with asymptomatic atrial flutter. Without the data from his Oura Ring, his healthcare provider believed he would have suffered a stroke or heart attack within a year. 

Patients as Decision-Makers 

Modern patients no longer want to sit back and wait for a diagnosis and treatment plan. They see themselves as decision-makers, not just recipients of care. They want to understand their diagnosis process, explore therapy options, and have continuous access to their medical data.  

IoMT devices empower individuals to take control of their health. For example, continuous glucose monitors help people understand how their eating habits affect their blood sugar levels in real time. When diagnosed with conditions like type 2 diabetes, patients do not want to experiment blindly only to discover later (through an A1C test) that their efforts did not yield the desired results.  

As an example, the Abbott FreeStyle Libre, a small disk that attaches to the upper arm, lets users track meal details along with other factors like sleep and stress. By reviewing their notes and blood sugar graphs, patients can identify which habits benefit or harm their unique bodies well before undergoing the lab tests. 

More precise diagnosis 

A single doctor’s visit might not accurately reflect a patient’s health. For instance, a patient could be nervous during the appointment, which might lead to abnormal electrocardiogram results. Or they might have eaten a birthday cake the night before and had a temporary spike in glucose levels.  

IoMT devices, on the other hand, continuously gather and process medical data. So, HCPs have a fuller picture of patients’ health and can make more accurate diagnoses. 

One example could be ingestible sensors. These devices, such as a Jell-O-like pill, can gather data from the digestive tract for up to 30 days. The pill is easy to swallow and provides a less invasive method for measuring temperature. Once it reaches the stomach, it transforms into a soft, ping-pong-ball-sized sphere, which allows it to remain in place for a time. When necessary, the patient drinks a calcium solution to cause the pill to shrink and safely pass out of the body. 

Improved access to healthcare 

IoMT brings healthcare directly to remote and isolated homes. Many patients, especially those in rural areas, may not have the opportunity to travel frequently for laboratory tests or doctor’s consultations. While some diagnostic procedures and treatments require an in-person visit, there are many cases where medical data can be shared through connected devices. This enables healthcare providers (HCPs) to reach patients online, offer consultations, and even prescribe treatment remotely. 

IoMT can also improve workplace safety in rural regions. Wearable devices can monitor farm workers’ health and send crucial data to safety leaders. For example, MākuSafe is a wearable technology that tracks farmers’ environment, like heat index, air quality, noise exposure, and detects falls. This real-time data alerts the farm administration to take measures. As a result, they can foster a healthier, more employee-centered space that not only boosts safety but also enhances productivity and job satisfaction. 

Common Types of IoMT Devices 

We have already looked at some examples of IoMT devices, but now it is time to organize the information and classify them by key types. Here are a few examples: 

• Point-of-care devices are diagnostic tools used directly at the site of patient care, such as in hospitals, clinics, or ambulances, to support quick HCPs’ decision-making. Examples include rapid diagnostic tests, portable ultrasound machines, and blood gas analyzers. 
• Personal emergency response systems offer wearables that allow users to call for help quickly in an emergency. 
• Medical-grade wearables accurately track medical data and are suitable for clinical use. They need approval from healthcare authorities, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Common examples include wearable ECG monitors and smart rings like the Oura Ring. 
• Consumer-grade wearables, like Fitbits and fitness trackers, do not have to meet the same rigorous standards as medical-grade wearables and are generally less precise. 
• Smart pills refer to ingestible sensors embedded in a pill that help diagnose and monitor gastrointestinal diseases, such as ulcers or Crohn’s disease. 
• In-hospital devices help monitor medical equipment, resources, and patient flow to ensure high-quality patient care and effective management at healthcare organizations. 

Main IoMT Challenges to Consider 

Connected medical devices have become increasingly complex compared to the days when they could only perform simple functions, like tracking physical activity. With this rising complexity, many challenges have emerged. 

Security 

The IoMT market is facing a major challenge: cybersecurity. According to a McKinsey report, many IoMT devices still require separate safety checks and lack adequate protection due to a shortage of skilled professionals. While the industry is projected to reach trillions of dollars in five years, it is crucial to improve the security strategies that address both the physical and digital needs of IoMT devices.  

The truth is that the current IoMT ecosystem is fragmented. Healthcare facilities are left accountable for protecting their smart devices, often relying on generic cybersecurity methods instead of IoT-oriented ones.  

Battery life 

Imagine you are an orthopedic surgeon in the middle of a surgery, relying on smart implants to make decisions about soft tissue balance and implant positioning. But suddenly, your smart implant runs out of power. This could result in a patient’s hospital readmission and in the worst-case scenario, implant failure. Not a good place to be. 

Operational continuity is critical in the healthcare sector, where human life is at stake. Device creators must strike the perfect balance between performance and energy consumption to ensure that battery life is extended when it is needed most. 

Compliance 

Companies that produce IoMT devices must adhere to safety regulations, which vary by region. In the European Union, they must comply with the Medical Device Regulation to ensure traceability, while in the United States, the FDA oversees technology safety. To meet these standards, businesses need a thorough testing plan to ensure compliance with all applicable laws. 

Coexistence 

Each device in a hospital requires connectivity. On average, hospitals use about 75,000 IoMT devices. This can overload the system and lead to communication issues. 

In some cases, the inability of devices to coexist can result in tragic outcomes, especially with mission-critical devices like defibrillators or ventilators. IoMT creators must perform a variety of coexistence tests to understand the environment’s frequencies, signal strength, and potential interference. 

Effective Strategies for Building an IoMT Device 

The Viseven team has helped many companies build robust software in the digital health market. Fifteen years is a lot of experience, and we have developed some strategies that we gladly share with you. 

Ensure you have enough resources to get started 

In healthcare, scaling is a long bumpy road. It takes considerable time and effort because of the industry’s complexity and the many stakeholders involved.  

If you do not have sufficient capital from the start, there is always a risk that your company may never reach the point where the ROI looks promising. This means you should have enough resources to ensure your exit time horizon is between four and seven years. 

Focus on integrations 

As mentioned earlier, the IoMT market remains fragmented. New solutions must be integrated into existing technology infrastructure to increase the chances of successful scaling.  

It is crucial to tackle the entire issue rather than just some part of it. This inevitably leads us to an ecosystem mindset. Patients will not buy an IoMT device, no matter how impressive it is, if it does not integrate with their existing medical devices or HCPs’ systems. That is why your goal should be to collaborate with other companies that offer complementary features. 

Select a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and sales wisely 

Success is always a team sport. To achieve it, you need to approach your hiring process strategically, with a particular focus on CFO and sales roles. Bringing on an experienced CFO can take the stress out of managing the balance sheet, capital raising, reporting, and cash flow – things no accountant alone can handle. Meanwhile, your salespeople should have a deep understanding of your business, be familiar with healthcare sales cycles, and be able to spot the barriers to IoMT adoption quickly. 

Final Thoughts

Building an IoMT device comes with several hurdles. It is not just about the hardware. You also need to focus on software. Key issues like security, battery life, and coexistence present major bottlenecks. On top of that, the healthcare industry itself poses a challenge. It is a highly regulated sector with numerous stakeholders, where scaling can take years. Finding the right partner for building hardware and software is half the battle to properly implementing any type of complex tech solution.