Overview
This article is going to talk about the role of Cloud technology in the modern healthcare scenario. IoT along with Cloud at the backend can do wonders in the field of Healthcare. Cloud computing helps medical professionals to link , merge and analyse the medical records of patients through the use of cloud based medical solutions and connected devices. This helps in making accurate diagnosis and implementing a precise treatment plan. With the advancement in technology , cloud computing in healthcare is growing rapidly such that the global HC cloud computing market was valued at USD 61 billion in 2023 and is predicted to surpass around USD 210 billion by 2033.How is cloud computing used in Healthcare?
Cloud computing is done by extracting important information from unorganised data like lab findings , Clinical records or radiological findings. The data is analysed and then stored in a cloud database . This data can be accessed easily by healthcare workers to get the information regarding the patient's medical records. Likewise , patients benefit by getting the accurate treatment more quickly and e ciently.
Cloud Computing and IoT in Healthcare
IoT devices in healthcare are wearable or inserted devices that are connected to the internet like endoscopes, Oximeter , or ECG machines. These devices can send data to cloud programmes where data can be analysed and stored in the cloud database. This data can be used by healthcare workers to extract important information regarding patients' medical details . As long as the medical equipment is connected to the internet and can transfer data to a cloud database , it can be considered an IoT. Some main Cloud IoT platforms include :-- Azure IoT (Microsoft)
- AWS IoT Core
- Oracle
- IBM
- Google Cloud IoT
- Cloud IoT can help make precise diagnosis and better treatment options for patients , easy monitoring anywhere and anytime is possible which reduces the need for hospitalisation.
- Cost Saving since no requirement of costly hardwares and softwares, reduction in hospital visits.
- Data sharing on cloud computing is a lot easier and simple . It can be accessed by healthcare workers like doctors , Nurses, care-givers in real time.
- Cloud IoT is a hassle free way to organise medical records and provides flexibility in the healthcare system.
What are the different IoT Healthcare Devices?
IoT (Internet of things) devices in healthcare are wearable or inserted devices that are connected to the internet. These devices can send data to cloud programmes where data can be analysed and stored in the cloud database. To understand it better let's dive into the following examples of IoT devices used in healthcare .
- Imaging Devices [ MRI , CT , X-Ray , US ]: IoT in Imaging techniques used in health services helps in quick and e cient sharing of data between healthcare personnel anywhere while reducing unnecessary expenses . Allowing them to thoroughly understand and improve the accuracy of diagnosis and implement a treatment plan to the patients on time , also ensuring protection of privacy of the patients. The IoT devices connected with sensors, smart applications, enables connection between practical and real world like between patients and doctors. It helps in monitoring and identifying diseases along with managing patients' conditions In modern health set-ups , medical imaging using IoT devices analyses and manages imaging data for clinical purposes , treatment procedures . Cloud IoT is also being used rapidly to increase information sharing with different platforms by new storage systems with improved security and privacy. The presence of Internet of medical things (IoMT) and 6G technologies has enhanced the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases in the field of medicine.
- Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring: Telemedicine allows patients to have a real time two way connection with doctors in order to receive health consultation from their homes via audio or video conferencing electronically. It is cost saving , e cient , convenient and less time consuming . Though it comes with certain setbacks like technical di culties or no privacy & security is guaranteed for the data shared online. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) allows doctors to monitor the patient's condition remotely. RPM uses glucometers, Pulse oximeters, BP cuffs , ECG and other wearables like smart watches, Sensors etc. to gather vital information and analyse the data . This data is used by the healthcare provider to assess the patient’s health without them visiting the hospital thereby saving expenses whilst ensuring quick and e cient care.
- Gait analysis using IMUs and IoT: IoT devices can help in gait recognition of the patient. Various sensors are placed on the patient's body which helps in locomotion . These sensors will analyse and monitor the gait pattern and send the important information to the cloud server via IoT . This helps in improving the e ciency of gait assessment which can be tedious manually. Wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) are used in diagnosis and to check severity of certain disorders. The IoT synthesises the interconnectivity of devices which communicate with each other and the cloud server. The IoT provides more remote and timely monitoring of the patient (eg. , Limping , Fall Risk). It also increases e ciency and data can be processed and stored in the cloud.
- Robotic Surgeries and IoT: IoT robotic devices are used by surgeons which enables them to do precise operations . Smart surgical instruments (scalpel, forceps, scissors or needles) which contain sensors are used to extract data and send it to cloud servers in real time during an operation. Care should be taken regarding patients' privacy and preventing unauthorised access to sensitive information. Medical professionals should be trained to effectively utilise the devices and interpret the data as needed.
- Smart Pacemakers and implants: Implants are medical devices surgically placed inside the body to improve any disorder . They include Pacemakers , Contacts , bionic implants , Cochlear implants etc. These implants can be connected to a sensor and help in monitoring the patient. IoT Contact lenses include sensors and cameras which are useful in detection of early signs of any eye disorder. Cardiac pacemakers are used to help in real time monitoring of the heart rate and rhythm and send the data to cloud servers to manage and store the data. It also helps in diagnosing conditions like tachycardia , bradycardia , arrhythmia and other heart conditions.