The 10 best wearable medical devices
Wearable devices are reshaping healthcare delivery by unlocking continuous monitoring and personalization. From popular smart watches and glasses to patches and other innovative technology – the market is booming.
The real business challenge – and opportunity – is lying in secure, validated integration with ecosystems.
We’re witnessing the era of wearables, and Apple, Sony, Xiaomi, and other tech giants all entered the game. And what about you?
The wearable medical devices market size:
- Has reached $84.2 billion in 2024
- And will be hitting $186.14 billion by 2030, thus pushing business leaders to consider other strategies, in particular medical device integration services
With wearable medical devices, the global healthcare revolution now reached the everyday consumer routine. By overseeing critical indicators – heart rate, respiratory rate, blood glucose and pressure, oxygen saturation – the average person obtains greater insights about habitual lifestyle choices.
With wearables getting popular, the modern healthcare facility also experiences a switch-up across operations. And those doubting innovation are fighting fierce competition.
But what are the best solutions out there and can they bring business value?
The types of wearable medical devices
The most common classification – usually highlighted across studies – is based on application:
| Medical device | Practical application | |
| Health monitoring & tracking | • Smart accessories • Fitness trackers • Smart clothing • Hydration monitors | • Obesity • Diabetes • General wellness • Preventive care |
| Long-term monitoring | • Cardiac monitors • SpO₂ monitors • Respiratory monitors • Implantable patches | • Heart failure • Chronic diabetes • Cardiac arrhythmias • Chronic hypertension |
| Disease diagnosis & treatment | • Wearable defibrillators • Insulin pumps • Wearable biosensors • Smart patches | • Early-stage infections • Seizure disorders • Inflammatory conditions • Diabetic retinopathy |
| Physical therapy & rehabilitation | • Sensor-based wearables • Neuro headsets • Biofeedback wearables • Soft exoskeletons | • Stroke recovery • Musculoskeletal disorders • Orthopedic rehabilitation • Parkinson’s rehabilitation |
Health monitoring and tracking
This type of device is designed to gather health metrics: heart rate, step count, sleep quality, physical activity. The goal – to promote overall wellness and stimulate lifestyle changes.
Long-term monitoring
This type of device is intended to allow long-term control, typically introduced to manage chronic conditions. The goal – to provide a solution to observe serious diseases and detect any changes to take immediate action, and that without scheduling in-person appointments.
Disease diagnosis and treatment
This category of equipment is introduced to identify health conditions and provide appropriate interventions. For example, for individuals with hypoxemia, to observe oxygen lowering and activate medication delivery, thus enabling timely response.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
The equipment falling under this category can recognize body movement and provide actionable information. That includes real-time feedback and guidance for individuals who struggle with restoring necessary function after injury and surgeries.
The features of wearable medical devices
Data security and privacy
Imagine wearables that work like vaults for sensitive health information – but only, the vault is on your wrist. Medical devices must employ advanced protocols (data encryption) to protect data from unauthorized access.
Seamless interaction with existing clinical workflows
Today’s wearables also help you share your everyday health summaries with in-charge healthcare specialists. Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood glucose and pressure, oxygen saturation – all being instantly transmitted, thereby facilitating immediate response without hassle.
Clinical validation
Before wearables can become trusted partners in everyday healthcare workflows, they undergo careful testing. Medical devices must measure what’s claimed in uncontrolled real-world conditions.
It’s the gold standard that assures both sides – healthcare professionals and patients – the insights are reliable.
Regulatory clearance
Regulatory clearance – not just a box to tick – signify wearables are meeting strict requirements and standards. Medical devices, even when highly precise, can’t support critical decisions without being confirmed safe to use.
To avoid legal drama, we recommend to partner with providers who have relevant knowledge and experience:
- Medical device integration with telemedicine application
- Medical platform with integrated telemedicine features
The 10 top wearable medical devices
Apple Watch
Company: Apple
Country: USA
Category: Wearable monitoring devices
Metrics: Heart health, blood oxygen, sleep patterns, physical activity, and even fall detection
The beloved Apple Watch can track multiple metrics, from accurate heart health to everyday physical activity. The signs being assessed can identify early disease – for example, by detecting and revealing atrial fibrillation – and foster timely response.
Garmin Watch
Company: Garmin
Country: USA
Category: Wearable monitoring devices
Metrics: Heart health, blood oxygen, sleep patterns, physical activity, and even stress patterns
The famous Garmin Watch can provide detailed insights on real-time heart function and even stress indicators. The signs being checked can benefit various groups – women, men, elderly people, professional sportsmen, and more.
Oura Ring
Company: Oura
Country: Finland
Category: Wearable monitoring devices
Metrics: Heart rate and variability, body temperature, sleep stages, physical activity
The most famous accessory on the wearable medical devices market – the ring that delivers actionable insights. Its design – focused around Nordic principles promoting well-being – is all about emphasizing healthy practices and preventing potential illness.
Owlet Socks
Company: Owlet
Country: USA
Category: Wearable monitoring devices
Metrics: Heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep quality
Another quite unique piece on the wearable medical device market – smart socks that empower fresh parents. By tracking pulse oximetry to assess heart health and performance, it provides objective indicators of changes, thereby aiding pediatric caregivers and parents.
identifyHer tracker
Company: identifyHer
Country: Ireland
Category: Wearable therapeutic devices
Metrics: Vasomotor indicators associated with body temperature and other menopausal manifestations
A tracker that assesses menopausal symptoms and creates personalized profiles by using artificial intelligence. By analyzing the gathered menopause symptoms – in particular vasomotor events that trigger other diseases – it supports informed strategies and management.
Nadi X’s Yoga Pants
Company: Wearable X
Country: USA
Category: Wearable monitoring apparel
Metrics: Movement and posture alignment
The unique yoga pants, which integrate embedded sensors, can monitor and align body motion during practice. The concept is unique – they provide corrective feedback through vibrations and even audio cues to support proper technique and performance.
Stelo Patch
Company: Dexcom
Country: USA
Category: Wearable monitoring devices
Metrics: Real-time blood glucose levels directly transmitted to smartphone
A pioneering medical biosensor that employs Dexcom’s technology to monitor glucose levels without poking. It’s designed to bypass typical fingersticks and offer an alternative for simple glycemic control.
Smart Glasses
Company: Rods & Cones
Country: USA
Category: Wearable assistive devices
Metrics: Visual & environmental context transmitted through video streaming
A standout medical solution, worn like conventional glasses, that captures and transmits wearer’s perspective. It’s designed to facilitate remote coordination during procedures, which allows medical specialists to observe the process and provide precise guidance.
Embr Wave
Company: Embr Labs
Country: USA
Category: Wearable therapeutic devices
Metrics: Body temperature
Worn on the wrist, the device can deliver controlled sensations – either cooling or warming – when necessary. It’s aimed to harness the natural body response to temperature to help people suffering from dysregulation.
The benefits – increased quality of sleep, reduced anxiety, and both physiological and emotional comfort.
Cala Trio
Company: Cala Health
Country: USA
Category: Wearable therapeutic devices
Metrics: Neural activity
Worn on the wrist, the device can deliver electrical stimulation to limbs in order to modulate neural activity. It’s aimed to provide a better, non-invasive method to mellow hand tremors by stimulating peripheral nerves.
The benefits – increased control over life, reduced tremors, and insights for future healthcare research.
The integration of wearable medical technology
In today’s healthcare landscape, the function of wearable medical devices has shifted towards interconnection. EHR & EMR platforms, telehealth & telemedicine applications, patient portals, clinical decision support tools – the broader medical ecosystem now leverages patient-captured information.
In modern healthcare practices, the integration of wearables also opened the opportunity for personalization. Smart watches, fitness trackers, smart clothing, and patches now employing AI techniques (ML, DL, and others) can provide tailored insights.
The benefits of wearable medical devices are obvious, but how can one approach adoption without disruption?
Our answer – by choosing trusted partners.
We handle:
- System assessment & analysis
- API development & connectivity
- Data transmission & storage
- Data processing and synchronization
- Integration & code optimization
- Testing and quality assurance
- Product deployment & release
- Ongoing support & maintenance
To deliver:
- Medical device integration with healthcare systems
- Medical device integration for telehealth purposes
How we can help
Abto Software – your trusted healthcare partner to deliver custom products that meet business-specific needs. No matter the complexity – from bespoke software developer to smooth medical device integration services – we have your back.
Partner with awarded professionals – get a free quote and let’s get started!
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