Wearable medical devices have gained popularity in recent years. The devices give users accurate healthcare data so they can manage their health.
So, what exactly are wearable medical devices? These are the devices that are worn on the body, such as the wrist or arms to collect health and fitness information. Glucose meters, fitness trackers, and blood pressure monitors are some examples.
These devices are mainly used to monitor fitness, general health, blood pressure, heart rate, and disease management. This data can be shared with your doctors, medical professionals, and any other relevant parties.
Because of these benefits, the demand for wearable medical devices is continuously growing. In 2022, the market value of wearable medical devices was estimated to be around $26.8 billion and it is expected to reach $37.4 billion by 2028.
Below is a list of the best devices for various healthcare monitoring needs.
1. Best 7 Wearable Medical Devices
Medical wearable technologies use biosensors to collect accurate health data of users. These biosensors use biological molecules to detect or analyze certain substances such as sugar and cholesterol levels, or health-related data like heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
Chemical, biological and physical signs are detected by the biosensors and then they are converted into optical signals that can be measured.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular wearable medical devices.
1.1. Fitness Tracker
A Fitness Tracker also known as an activity tracker is a fitness band, worn on the wrist that detects heart rate, and sleeping patterns and also measures the walking steps, running distance, and swimming laps.
Fitness bands need to be linked to smartphones or tablets through Bluetooth and after setting up the band transfers all the wearer’s activity data to the connected devices.
You will find various kinds of fitness trackers While few of them support only some physical activities specialized trackers often monitor more activities.
Some of the well-known fitness tracker brands include Fitbit, Suunto, Wego, Fitbug, Polar, Tomtom, Withings, MyFitnessPal, Misfit, and Jawbone.
1.2. Smart Ring
A smart ring medical device helps to monitor the blood pressure, heart rate, and even the stress level of its users. The device needs to be paired with an app and the users can measure their progress as well as check their health. All of this health info can be shared with your friends or doctor.
There are a lot of smart rings available in the market and some of them are Oura ring, Movano Eve, Circular smart ring, and happy ring.
1.3. Integrated Activewear
Wearable technology has recently incorporated tech-integrated clothing, which is available in different styles and sizes. Activewear has gained huge popularity in recent times. This can help overall balance and result in improving fitness goals.
Some examples of activewear are Enflux smart apparel, Ralph Lauren’s sensory, Sensoria’s sensor-embedded sports bra, and smart shirt.
1.4. ECG Monitors
ECG monitors detect the blood level and measure the wearer’s heart rate by flashing LEDs against the skin. The sensor gathers the data and then the monitor analyses it to observe the beat of the heart.
The Apple Watch is currently the best one on the market that can detect abnormal heart rhythms and accurately provide ECG readings. Other companies such as Fitbit and Samsung are progressing too.
1.5. Blood Pressure Monitor
Digital blood pressure monitors are operated simply by pressing a button and usually are worn on the wrist but they can also be worn on the fingers or upper arms.
The monitor is worn on the arm or you can wear it on your wrist and based on the blood circulation in the arteries the device automatically reads the blood pressure level. These readings then get downloaded to the wearer’s phones.
Omron platinum, Lazle JPD-HA101, Greater Goods BP monitor, Life source, Omron Evolv, and Qardioarm blood pressure monitors are currently some of the best devices on the market.
1.6. Smart Watches
Smartwatches are smart computer devices that are similar to a wristwatch or a time-keeping device. Similarly, like other wearable devices, they are linked to the wearer’s smartphone or tablet through Bluetooth.
The watch transforms into a wireless Bluetooth device that can link the wearer’s smartphone features to the watch. The wearers can directly receive calls, texts, and emails, and even listen to music directly through the watch.
It can also give health information such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature monitoring, blood oxygen level, and stress level of the wearer.
1.7. Continuous Glucose Monitor
A continuous glucose monitor is a device that automatically tracks the sugar level or glucose level in the blood throughout the entire day.
The device checks the glucose level every minute. So, at any moment you can see your glucose level and observe the change of glucose level. As a result, this device helps wearers to spot the trends.
Seeing your glucose level immediately might help you to make better decisions and change your meals, medications, and physical activities throughout the day.
A CGM is a tiny sensor that is inserted either on the arm or belly. Then it measures your interstitial glucose level and the transmitter wirelessly transfers the results directly to the monitor.
The monitor can be a separate device or a part of the insulin device. Some CGMs transmit data immediately to the linked smartphone or tablet.
The Freestyle Libre 2 is currently the most advanced glucose monitoring device on the market as it reduces the need to prick your fingers and can be used for up to 7 days.
Guardian Sensor 3, G6, and Eversense-implantable CGM are some of the CGMs that you can look into and choose the one that best fits your health requirements.
Bottom Line
The future of wearable technology looks very promising and it’s just in the beginning phases of development.
There are numerous wearable medical technology products on the market. The Apple watches are currently considered the most advanced smartwatches. The tech-integrated clothes such as activewear are reaching different heights that allow wearers to improve their fitness goals.
Wearable healthcare technology has the potential to improve healthcare by allowing users to be more actively involved in their physical health and well-being.
