As medical research and technology advance, so does the evolution of medical devices. While the market was already trending towards the adoption of more digital technology, the pandemic bolstered the demand for remote patient care and monitoring even more.
Recent progress surrounding telemedicine has also played a significant role in the ability to efficiently and effectively treat medical conditions. As a result, there are a plethora of opportunities for companies to drive innovation and growth within the medical device field.
In order to produce a successful product in today’s competitive landscape, there are some vital design trends to consider before developing a new medical device. Here are the top 3 medical product design trends to keep on your radar this year.
Expansion of IoMT (Internet of Medical Things)
Connected, or “smart,” devices allow for the collection and communication of valuable patient data, such as smart insulin pens for those with diabetes. This information can be utilized for a variety of applications, including monitoring, diagnosis, therapy and even prevention purposes.
Here are some examples of IoMT-driven devices:
- Point-of-care medical devices that capture and share real-time data, giving patients the opportunity to recover at home while still being monitored by a healthcare professional.
- Sensors installed in medical equipment, allowing hospital and healthcare facilities to track their location in real-time.
- Devices that are designed to be implantable – like defibrillators or heart monitors.
- Mobile sensors within wearable devices that can effectively monitor patient vitals as their being transported in an ambulance.
The development of IoMT devices will increase operational efficiency and maximize patient outcomes. What’s more, the network will provide hospitals and facilities with the ability to optimize data flow and strengthen loss prevention.
The Use of Robotics
Hospitals and healthcare facilities are increasingly integrating AI and robotics into their practices. From microscopic devices to larger machinery, there’s a wide range of applications for medical robots. With the global medical robotics industry forecasted to reach $12.7 billion by 2025 – up from $5.9 billion in 2020 – there’s a lot of room for product design innovation.
For many larger hospital systems, robots are already being utilized to tackle certain tasks, like disinfecting activities and restocking supplies. In addition to repetitive tasks, robots are also being leveraged for:
- Assisting physicians with surgical care in the operating room.
- Physician rehabilitation assistance.
- Diagnostic or therapeutic machinery that is controlled remotely.
- Production and handling of pharmaceuticals to optimize accuracy and maintain sterile conditions.
Continued Growth for Wearables
Popular devices like Fitbit to track your heart rate or count your steps are only the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to wearables, a heavy focus is being placed on the end-user experience, and product design is a massive component in driving comfort and ease of use.
Blood pressure monitors, exercise trackers, and similar medical devices are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their ability to track a slew of elements with immense precision. Now the question is, how can companies build products that are designed to be compact and wearer-friendly?
From devices designed to enhance an individual’s overall well-being to products geared towards specific medical conditions, developers are seeking ways to create wearables that deliver a more personalized experience. Plus, the more attractive wearable devices are to the end-user, the bigger the opportunity for healthcare systems to utilize the data collected for predictive modeling and clinical trials.
While the medical field as a whole is constantly evolving, the medical device field is growing at an astronomical rate. As technology and user experience take center stage, it’s important for companies to incorporate these trends into their medical product design to stay competitive and drive revenue.
To learn more about how our experienced team of engineers, researchers, and designers can help bring your medical device concept to life, contact us today.
