How Embedded Tech is Transforming Medical Device Making

By Embedded Advisor | Tuesday, February 11, 2020

The advancements in embedded technology is opening doors for innovations to help both medical care providers and patients.

FREMONT, CA: Embedded systems have primarily influenced medical device innovations. Memory devices, sensors, batteries, microcontrollers, and more are contributing to wired and wireless medical monitoring, imaging, and surgery purposes. The increasing demand for better medical equipment is leading to innovations in embedded technology. The proliferation of sensor-embedded devices demands higher accuracy, better security, and more functionality. This enables embedded manufacturers to focus more on medical devices and healthcare applications.

The increased use of IoT-based medical devices has gained momentum, and it is leading to enhanced precision across medical applications like cardiac monitors, imaging devices, respiratory monitors, and implantable devices. Embedded.com says that the advancement of embedded technology creates new opportunities for medical devices to serve care providers and patients by adding connectivity to traditionally offline medical devices.

The critical factor that determines the design consideration for wearable medical devices includes the sensitivity and accuracy of the devices. Along with this, consumers expect smaller, more power-efficient, and easy-to-use sensor devices. For instance, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones are regularly replacing conventional electric-condenser microphones in hearing aids. Power management is also a major factor when it comes to keeping the sensor devices up and running. Power management in a medical device covers not only external power supplies and batteries but also integrates semiconductor systems that assist in managing energy in any application, ranging from portable and implantable devices to high-power imaging systems.

Medical devices include fitness trackers to ultrasound equipment, and each application has different requirements. However, all the devices will look for microprocessors (MPUs) and microcontrollers (MCUs) that can deliver improved reliability, security, execution, power saving, and connectivity. Such ultra-low-power processors will decide the future of medical innovations and offer higher-quality sensor devices in the long run.