Emerging Wireless Technologies for Healthcare Applications

SUMMARY

Evolving Technology Expands Product Applications in Healthcare Sector

As wireless technology advances rapidly, its applications also increase manifold. This increase in research and development (R&D) and technical advances combined with emerging mass markets are offering end users affordable and accessible options. Progressive technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID), pioneering next generation networks, such as code division multiplex access 2000 (CDMA2000) with its enhanced benefits and products with extensive storage, longer battery life, and improved screen resolution could impact the healthcare sector on a large scale. This boost in growth is further driven by sectors such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare recognizing the benefits of wireless technologies in routine applications.

This Technical Insights study, Emerging Wireless Technologies for Healthcare Applications, focuses on the revolutionary sectors of next generation wireless technologies. The research analyzes primary technology drivers, and evaluates the challenges to be combated to provide enhanced services for end users. It also offers an array of information on organizations, companies, universities, research institutions, and government agencies involved in the R&D of emerging wireless technologies for healthcare applications. A summary of key patents offers insight into notable activities, technology trends, and important participants in this arena.

Higher Innovation Benefits End Users by Escalating Productivity

The rising awareness levels of consumers, and growing demands for high-speed access, better user interfaces, lower connection costs, and reliability in combination with escalating R&D would aid service providers to offer products and services with increased benefits for end users. "The freedom provided by the increasing mobility by wireless local area networks (WLANs) boosts productivity with the convenience of wirelessly connecting to the network from any point within the range of an access point," observes the analyst of this research. "WLAN provides continuous, cable-free access to a network and the Internet throughout the workplace allowing employees to work from anywhere, anytime."

Easy deployment due to advanced configurations and flexibility along with reduced costs due to the lack of cables is also driving adoption of wireless technologies. For instance, WLANs and wireless personal-area networks make it possible to continually monitor patients, and immediately notify healthcare personal or emergency services of critical changes in the status of patients. Such networks could quickly send medical data from sensors deployed on the body, in a room or from any point in a building to a central computer system.

UWB Standardization Creates Opportunities for High-volume Growth

The revolutionary ultra wide web (UWB) is likely to dominate the wireless communications scenario. With an advantageously simple transmitter, UWB can be used in consumer applications within the home. Several companies are already using the technology to develop applications allowing digital video disc (DVD)-quality video content to be streamed around the home. "Along with the large promise of UWB technology for the future of the digital consumer and the 'connected home', the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.3a is making efforts to standardize UWB technology," points out the analyst. "This effort toward industry standardization could propel high-volume markets for UWB-equipped consumer devices, personal computer (PCs), and PC peripherals."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Executive Summary
  • 1. Overview
    • 1. Introduction
    • 2. Description
  • 2. Scope and Methodology
    • 1. Scope
    • 2. Methodology
• 2. Technological Overview
  • 1. WPAN
    • 1. Bluetooth
    • 2. ZigBee
    • 3. UWB (Ultra Wide Band)
  • 2. WLAN
    • 1. Background and Standards
    • 2. Characteristics and Network Requirements
    • 3. Different Wireless LAN Standards
  • 3. Wi-Fi
    • 1. WiFi
    • 2. Operation
    • 3. Technology Summary
  • 4. RFID
    • 1. Technology Overview
    • 2. RFID Technology
    • 3. RFID Emergence
    • 4. RFID with Other Applications
• 3. Technology Applications and Impact Analysis
  • 1. Asset Tracking
    • 1. Description
    • 2. Functions
  • 2. Patient Monitoring Systems
    • 1. Overview
    • 2. Patient Monitoring Systems
  • 3. Emergency-Response Systems
    • 1. Introduction
    • 2. CodeBlue in Emergency Response
  • 4. Technology Impact Analysis
    • 1. Analysis and Ranking of Technologies
    • 2. Technology Roadmap
• 4. Adoption Factor Analysis
  • 1. Benefits
    • 1. Drivers
      • a. Mobility
      • b. Ease of Configuration
      • c. Ease of Deployment
      • d. High-Speed Connection
      • e. Cost Savings
      • f. Applications
      • g. Support
    • 2. Advantages
  • 2. Challenges
    • 1. Security
    • 2. Setup and Management
    • 3. Quality Service
    • 4. Other Challenges
    • 5. Other Restraints
• 5. Assessment of Opportunities
  • 1. Advancements
    • 1. Wireless Handheld Devices
    • 2. Wireless Capsules
    • 3. Wireless Monitoring System
    • 4. Wireless Triage from a Distance
    • 5. Optical Antenna For Increased Wireless Security
    • 6. Wireless Telemonitoring System
    • 7. Wireless Connectivity For Infusion Monitoring
    • 8. Wireless System for Cardiac Data Transmission
  • 2. Integration of Technologies for Healthcare Applications
    • 1. Implantable Sensors
    • 2. Device To Monitor Diabetics
    • 3. Implants to Battle Bugs
    • 4. Novel Cardiac Telemetry System
• 6. Patents and Contact Details
  • 1. Patents
    • 1. Patents in 2003 / 2004
    • 2. Patents in 2005
  • 2. Contact Details
    • 1. Company Contacts
    • 2. University Contacts
• 7. Frost & Sullivan 2005 Science and Technology Awards
  • 1. Excellence in Technology
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
  • 2. Product Innovation
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
  • 3. Technology Innovation
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
• 8. Critical Reference Tables
  • 1. Decision Support Database Tables
    • 1. Mobile Penetration for the Period 1999 to 2006
    • 2. Mobile Communication Revenue for the Period 1999 to 2006
    • 3. Road Accident Mortality for the Period 1999 to 2006
    • 4. Number of Hospitals for the Period 1999 to 2006
    • 5. Number of Physicians for the Period 1999 to 2006