Wireless Technologies Are Making Waves in Medicine

Following the FDA's final guidance on wireless medical devices and FCC's allocation of the MBAN spectrum, companies are getting ready to cut the cord. The agency's final guidance addresses the integration and incorporation of radio-frequency wireless systems into medical devices. The guidance includes information on wireless device aspects ranging from technology to security. In addition, the guidance also provides recommendations for medical device manufacturers on FDA PMAs for wireless devices.Companies like Philips Electronics and General Electric have been pushing for adoption of wireless medical device technologies for a long time. After requesting dedicated spectrum from FCC regulators, healthcare companies are in a strong position to analyze and aggregate data to determine if patients are in need of medical intervention.For its part, Philips is working on wireless respiratory monitors and technologies that simplify the process of patient monitoring. On the other hand, General Electrics is working to develop different medical devices that can monitor a patient's vitals and analyze data.In a study by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, researchers noted that unmonitored patients only have a 6% chance of surviving a cardiac arrest incident. In comparison, monitored patients have a 48% percent chance of surviving this type of healthcare emergency."It really helps to manage the wires and get patients out of bed [and] that is a big deal," noted Judy Hanover, a director at IDC Health Insights. "We do see more in-home care and monitoring to help avoid hospitalization. As the population ages, that will become more and more important."