Wearable devices and implantable technologies

 Of all the major trends in biomedical engineering, the proliferation of Wearable Health Devices (WHDs) and implantable technologies is arguably one of the most visibly disruptive to the healthcare sector.

These medical devices range from Fitbit, a direct-to-consumer fitness wearable that tracks weight and body fat percentage, to Medtronic’s Insertable Cardiac Monitor, a long-term implant just under the skin that provides patients (and their GPs) with real-time updates on heart rhythm and respiratory problems.

The personalised, real-time element to such devices enables GPs to detect symptoms more quickly, aiding early diagnosis. By being able to monitor their patients remotely, GPs can save time and money by reducing unnecessary face-to-face consultations. GPs are also able to use real data gleaned from these devices to optimise treatment and tailor it towards the individual.

While the healthcare wearables sector is estimated to be worth $60 billion by 2023, the use of implantables remains controversial — largely fuelled by fears they can cause infection or that microchip technology will be leveraged for surveillance. However, these fears are largely unfounded, especially as implanted devices such as pacemakers have been around for over half a century.