Italy
Unlocking new efficiencies in Medical IoT
With digital transformation opening a world of possibilities in medicine, the internet of things (IoT) is making a wave of improvements by connecting devices that can benefit both healthcare providers and patients. The market is still gaining momentum, with healthcare IoT predicted to triple by 2022, giving medical engineers huge opportunities for innovative wireless connected technologies and further investment for their implementation to provide precise, result-orientated healthcare, manage any bottlenecks in care, bridge a gap between providers and patients and reduce overall costs.
Medical devices can collect additional invaluable data, more insight into symptoms and trends and give patients more control over treatments and remote care. Healthcare device manufacturers are now looking to IoT devices for more precise, results-orientated healthcare, serving more patients, reducing overall hospital visits and improving costs.
With new efficiencies and benefits come new design challenges. Below are the top three challenges for Medical IoT applications to keep in mind:
Complete IoT connectivity solutions
We can help you understand the evolving technologies that underpin current and future wireless connectivity, which means we can recommend the best technologies to overcome challenges and build a tailored proposal that will bring your concept into reality.
We offer a specialist portfolio of market-leading standard and custom products and services that are ideal for the needs of medical applications and meet EN 60601-1's standards. And with a comprehensive range and expertise across every stage of connectivity to help you integrate solutions into your designs - we can get you to market faster without the need to source from multiple suppliers.
These are our suggestions for the best technologies and solutions to keep in mind when designing Medical IoT applications:
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Sensor Solutions
At the start of any IoT journey is data generation, whether that’s collecting data from multiple points and consolidating into one central hub, or sharing data from one point with multiple users. The decreasing cost of sensor technologies has encouraged healthcare manufacturers to build smarter, more efficient, economical products.
Perfectly complementing our IoT offer is a comprehensive range of specialist industrial-grade sensors. Capable of measuring almost any physical parameter, our miniature and low-power sensors allow for multiple and combined parameters to be measured and shared with the cloud within one compact component, so you can measure almost anything from almost anywhere. With these sensors you can be sure the data measured is of high quality, accurate and reliable.
Airflow & Pressure Sensors
Honeywell's sensors offer advanced chip design, manufacturing techniques and technology, allowing them to be faster, smaller and more sensitive - perfectly suited to medical applications.
For higher performance, improved productivity, and increased safety, Honeywell's Airflow and Trustability™ pressure sensors guarantee enhanced accuracy and performance, whilst maintaining reliability in demanding applications.
With a wide range of ports, connectors, outputs and pressure ranges, these sensors are suitable for applications needing enhanced precision, repeatability and ruggedness, ranging from basic to complex applications such as dialysis equipment, blood analysis, oxygen and nitrogen gas distribution, HVAC devices, process controls, industrial machinery, pumps, and robotics.
High-Power lasers
Ideal for the most demanding medical applications, we have a range of diode-pumped-solid-state (DPSS) lasers with pulse width ranges from just 0.4ns to 80ns. They are designed for processing hard and delicate materials that are easily affected by thermal stresses. Designed for high-end applications requiring both excellent beam quality, low thermal transfer and high peak power they are insensitive to vibrations and suited to harsh environments.
Wireless Connectivity
For the data to be useful it must be accessible, which means connectivity is at the heart of IoT. Devices talking to each other, the cloud and beyond are creating a new digital universe of inter-connected technology. Today there are multiple ways of connecting to multiple networks. The distance, connection time and amount of data transferred all necessitate different solutions. Designing an appropriate network structure with mobility and management on a large scale need not be overwhelming - we offer a complete portfolio of wireless modules, system-in-package components and airtime options.
Each technology provides its own strengths and is perfectly suited to medical applications. To find the right solution for you, browse the options below or contact our technical team of experts who are ready to support, advise and provide a solution perfectly suited to your needs.
Embedded wireless modules
For robust embedded intelligence and simple installation and operation, build lightweight, compact solutions using Sierra Wireless AirPrime modules that deliver mission-critical data performance, low power consumption and the lowest total-cost-of-ownership in the industry.
With a wide range of modules to choose from with low power consumption and advanced battery optimization features, also allowing you to future-proof IoT designs with one size, one design common flexible form factor (CF3) that are pre-certified for use across LPWA, 4G, 3G, 2G and are 5G ready for a faster time to market.
Healthcare solution providers can count on Sierra Wireless for secure, 24/7, real-time wireless connectivity. It's no accident that Sierra Wireless solutions are widely used by emergency services and first responders.
Combine these with Sierra Wireless' Airvantage or Octave managed IoT services for a full end-to-end solution for a cost-effective platform.
SOC (System-on-chip) solutions
For cost-effective and simple integrations for projects, a SOC will reduce risk and accelerate time to market - expanding opportunities for developers to build complete ecosystems through their range of power-efficient Wi-Fi products. with built-in embedded input/ output interfaces, control units, processors and data-processing elements, advanced security and rich peripheral interface, these chips support everything from simple plugs to sophisticated smart appliances.
SIP (System-in-package) modules
For medium and high-volume opportunities, we offer wireless SiP modules from USI. Based on the Broadcom WICED™ chipset, these modules are highly user-configurable with the use of the WICED™ development tools. Typically, users of the SIP modules would use the protocol stacks supplied with the SDK and then develop their own application layer using the SDK tools which would run on the module.
Gateways
Secure IoT connectivity for both legacy equipment and new devices. The Lantronix portfolio of IoT Gateways includes a range of secure wired and wireless enterprise solutions for virtually any device providing OEMs and system integrators with secure enterprise-class solutions that provide network connectivity, remote device management, cloud connectivity, and edge analytics for brownfield equipment and next-generation connected devices.
Their highly versatile, secure, and IEC-60601 certified Lantronix® SGX 5150 MD Wireless IoT Gateway is specifically for Medical Devices. Its advanced turnkey design provides everything you need to benefit from tracking hospital assets to managing critical patient data.
Industrial Wi-Fi / USB / PCIe / mini-card modules
We have a wide range of industrial Wi-Fi cards from world-leading manufacturers in the most commonly used form factors. Our factory-trained Field Application Engineers can recommend the most appropriate solution based on your preferred form factor and price vs performance trade-offs.
RF & Frequency Solutions
Every IoT and wireless solution requires a form of frequency control. With more than three decades of experience supporting RF design engineers on some of the most innovative designs in Europe, our unique frequency solutions portfolio is provided with the latest technical expertise. Together, you have access to frequency control products from some of the world's leading manufacturers with direct technical support from our experts. Our engineers will quickly and efficiently solve any design challenge, using the right frequency product for your application to provide the most cost-effective solution.
Antenna design is critical to a solution's overall performance and having the right antenna can literally make or break your design. The best design and component decisions can be made during the early development stages. We work with carefully selected antenna partners Johanson and ProAnt to source the most appropriate antenna solutions for your application and frequency, whether internal or external, standard or custom.
By using Acal BFi, you also have access to ProAnt's cutting-edge, fully equipped test laboratory. Complete with VNAs and spectrum analysers, ProAnt's unique anechoic chamber allows testing of antennas from 150MHz up to 6GHz. The lab offers simulation capabilities, short-lead-time prototyping and measurement and testing of passive and active antenna designs - Our antenna range includes:
- Single and multi-band
- External connectorised antennas
- Internal chip, patch, PIFA and PCB antennas
- Customised antennas
How can we help?
Our IoT and Wireless Technology Centre will advance your ability to deliver innovative technology solutions for complex applications – from sensors to the cloud.
Creating custom solutions and navigating adding challenging connectivity to an application requires specialist expertise and capabilities. Our team of hardware design and software application engineers have extensive experience, ensuring we can bring your concept to life.
Covering proof of concept and feasibility studies for development, through to working prototype realisation and initial production management, our team delivers you complete project support.
