As per a report by IMS Research, wireless enabled consumer medical devices will mostly use Bluetooth Smart technology by 2016. More than 47 lakh consumer medical devices containing Bluetooth Smart will be shipped in 2016
ENGLAND, UK: As per a report by IMS Research, wireless enabled consumer medical devices will mostly use Bluetooth Smart technology by 2016. More than 47 lakh consumer medical devices containing Bluetooth Smart will be shipped in 2016, as per the report by IMS Research.
More than 35 per cent of wireless-enabled consumer medical devices shipped in 2016 will contain Bluetooth Smart. In 2016, nine percent of more than 35 per cent of wireless-enabled consumer medical devices shipped in 2016 will contain Bluetooth Smart. With the availability of ANT technology, more than 5 lakh ANT-enabled consumer medical devices will be shipped in 2016.
"One big reason for Bluetooth Smart being used in consumer medical devices is the projected increase in Bluetooth Smart Ready devices, most notably in cellular handsets. IMS Research believes that by 2015, all phones that would have been enabled with Bluetooth will be Bluetooth Smart Ready. These devices can give consumer medical devices additional functionality such as uploading medical information to apps and cloud-based services, as well as other features such as an advanced display. While ANT has also been adopted in some cellular handsets, it is not expected to reach the same levels of adoption as Bluetooth which will its uptake in some consumer medical devices,” says Lisa Arrowsmith, senior analyst, IMS Research.
At present, wireless enabled consumer medical devices are using either classic Bluetooth or proprietary wireless technology. Bluetooth Smart will ensure low power consumption and offer the same level of connectivity. The transition from Classic Bluetooth to Bluetooth Smart would not be a quick one for the medical OEMs, considering the long design cycles that are commonplace, resulting from the strict regulations placed on medical devices.
"Although Bluetooth Smart can offer significant benefits in terms of power consumption and usability for consumer medical devices, OEMs are reluctant to move over to the technology with any great pace. Most will continue to support Classic Bluetooth while releasing a Bluetooth Smart model in line with their existing design schedules,” Arrowsmith adds.
