The way we deliver and experience healthcare is changing fast, and connected medical devices are at the center of it all. These devices, working together within the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), are building a smarter, more connected healthcare system. From real-time patient monitoring to tailored treatments powered by data, connected devices are putting precision and quick action at the heart of care.
Crucially, all of these devices must be handled safely, or they create unacceptable risk when life is on the line.
In this article, we’ll explore the state of connected medical devices in 2025, the benefits they bring to healthcare, and the challenges that must be addressed to ensure they serve patients effectively.
What are Connected Medical Devices?
Connected medical devices are modern medical devices that share data through the internet or secure networks. Unlike traditional medical devices, they don’t operate in isolation. These devices work as part of a connected system, enhancing care with added features.
For instance, a Holter monitor, which is a type of portable connected electrocardiogram (ECG) machine, can send heart data directly to a doctor, helping spot issues earlier. Smart infusion pumps can fine-tune medication doses based on real-time patient data. Features like these empower healthcare providers to monitor, diagnose, and react quickly, leading to better outcomes.
This is a quickly emerging field in healthcare that promises huge benefits to patients and providers as it matures
Technologies Involved in Connected Medical Devices
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) connects smart medical devices, building an integrated network where healthcare data flows freely and securely. This network allows healthcare devices to collaborate, creating smarter systems for monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. By linking healthcare tools and systems, IoMT drives personalized care and faster responses.
Several key technologies enable this connectivity:
- Wireless communication methods like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 5G ensure that data travels quickly and reliably.
- Sensors collect patient information, while edge computing processes it locally to reduce delays.
- Cloud computing stores and analyzes this data on a larger scale, empowering health providers with deeper insights.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) use this data to detect patterns, predict issues, and recommend treatments.
Given the sensitive nature of health information, cybersecurity is essential to safeguarding data, ensuring patient trust, and maintaining system integrity. Together, these technologies fuel innovation while keeping safety at the forefront.
Examples of IoT Devices in Healthcare
The variety of IoT devices in healthcare is vast, with countless examples demonstrating their critical role in improving care and efficiency. From advanced monitors tracking patient vitals to automated systems managing medication distribution, these devices provide powerful examples of how technology transforms healthcare delivery. Each connected device serves as an example of innovation, working to streamline processes, enhance patient outcomes, and support medical teams in their mission to provide exceptional care.
Below, we highlight key examples of impactful connected devices driving the future of healthcare, showcasing their potential to revolutionize operations and empower providers.
Imaging Departments
IoT devices make diagnostics faster and more precise. These connected medical devices enhance data sharing and improve collaboration, enabling accurate interpretations with greater efficiency. Examples of connected medical devices used in imaging departments include:
- X-Ray Machines
- CT Scanners
- MRI Machines
- Ultrasound Scanners
- PET Scanners
- Mammography Systems (Mammograms)
- PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems)
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Departments
ICUs rely on IoT devices to monitor patients with complex conditions in real time. They can deliver continuous vital sign updates, helping care teams address changes immediately and improve outcomes. Examples of connected medical devices used in ICU departments include:
- Smart Ventilators
- Infusion Pumps
- Patient Monitors
Cardiology Departments
Seconds can mean life or death in cardiology. With real-time heart health monitoring, IoT devices allow healthcare providers to track cardiac conditions remotely and adjust treatments without delay. Examples of connected medical devices used in ICU departments include:
- Connected ECG Machines
- Pacemakers
- Wearable Heart Monitors
Surgical Suites
IoT devices bring innovation and accuracy to surgical suites. From smart surgical tools to advanced navigation systems, these technologies boost safety and improve surgical precision. Examples of connected medical devices used in surgical suites include:
- Automated Medication Dispensing Systems
- Smart Anesthesia Machines
- Connected Endoscopic Systems
- IoT-Enabled Surgical Tables
Patient Rooms
Smart IoT devices enhance patient rooms by improving care and comfort. These devices enable remote monitoring and trigger automated alerts, creating a seamless connection between patients and care teams. Examples of connected medical devices used in patient rooms include:
- Smart Hospital Beds
- Vital Sign Monitors
- ECG Monitors
- Infusion Pumps
- Interactive Patient Displays
Emergency Departments
Emergency departments use IoT devices to streamline communication and accelerate care. These tools ensure fast data sharing, allowing teams to make informed decisions quickly in critical situations. Examples of connected medical devices used in emergency departments include:
- Portable Ventilators
- Defibrillators
- Wearable Patient Monitors
- Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
- Smart Infusion Pumps
Other Departments
IoT devices enhance operations and outcomes across many other hospital departments. From labs to rehabilitation centers, these tools address unique needs and expand possibilities throughout the care continuum. Examples of other departments that rely on connected medical devices include:
- Neurology Departments
- Oncology Departments
- Laboratories and Pathology Departments
Remote Patient Monitoring Kits
Remote patient monitoring kits help manage chronic conditions and post-surgical recovery. IoT enhances these kits by enabling real-time data collection and transmission, giving healthcare providers continuous visibility into a patient’s health. This seamless connectivity helps identify issues early and reduces the need for in-person visits.
Inhalers
IoT-powered inhalers improve the management of respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. These devices track usage patterns and medication adherence, sending data to both patients and providers. By offering personalized insights, they empower better disease control and reduce exacerbations.
Thermometers
Smart thermometers provide accurate, real-time temperature readings and store data for trend analysis. This makes it easier for caregivers to track fevers and share updates with healthcare professionals.
Contact Lenses
IoT-connected contact lenses can actively monitor eye health. These lenses can measure intraocular pressure for glaucoma management or even detect changes in glucose levels for diabetics. The real-time data they generate gives patients and providers an unprecedented level of insight.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machines
CPAP machines, traditionally reliant on manual data storage and clinic visits, are increasingly being viewed as Internet of Things (IoT) devices that enable real-time data collection and analysis. IoT-enabled CPAP machines allow clinicians to remotely monitor patient usage and compliance. The collected data can be used to personalize treatment plans and adjust settings based on individual needs.
Wound Care Sensors
IoT-enabled wound care sensors revolutionize the healing process by monitoring conditions like temperature, moisture, and infection risk. These sensors send real-time updates to healthcare providers, allowing for proactive treatment adjustments. This technology improves outcomes while reducing complications.
Stethoscopes
IoT stethoscopes bring precision and innovation to a classic diagnostic tool. These devices amplify and analyze heart and lung sounds, offering detailed insights for providers. By transmitting data to digital platforms, they enhance collaboration and ensure accurate diagnoses.
Benefits of Connected Medical Devices and IoT
The benefits of connected medical devices can quickly be demonstrated in real-life scenarios. Below, we explore the key benefits IoT brings to medical advancements.
Real-Time Patient Monitoring
IoT enables continuous data transmission, allowing healthcare providers to monitor patient vitals and symptoms remotely. By tracking metrics like heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure in real time, providers can detect abnormalities early and respond before complications arise.
Improved Diagnosis and Treatment
Connected devices and IoT technologies revolutionize diagnosis and treatment by providing accurate, real-time data. Seamless device integration and interoperability improve clinical decision-making, enabling providers to act quickly and precisely. Patients, in turn, receive timely and effective treatment, leading to better health outcomes.
Reduced Healthcare Costs
IoT technologies can reduce healthcare expenses by fostering efficiency and early intervention. Remote monitoring minimizes hospital visits, and early detection averts costly emergencies. By addressing issues early and reducing readmissions, connected medical tools help optimize resource use.
Streamlined Clinical Workflows
IoT simplifies clinical workflows by automating data collection and reducing the need for manual entries. This reduces administrative tasks and human error. Connected devices streamline operations and improve accuracy, enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery.
Improved Chronic Disease Management
Devices enabled by IoT improve chronic disease management by providing continuous insights into conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. These tools track health trends and raise alerts for potential issues, helping care teams adjust treatments promptly.
Enhanced Patient Engagement and Self-Management
Connected medical devices empower patients to take charge of their health through accessible data and insights. Dashboards and apps allow them to track progress, adhere to treatment plans, and make informed lifestyle choices. Features like reminders and gamified goals boost engagement and promote better self-management over time.
Reduced Hospital Readmissions and Emergency Visits
IoT devices help decrease hospital readmissions with early intervention and better management of chronic conditions. Remote monitoring helps post-discharge patients receive the attention they need. By addressing complications early, these technologies reduce the need for emergency care and promote smoother recoveries.
Expanded Access Through Telehealth
Connected devices extend healthcare to underserved populations by enabling telehealth services. Patients in rural or mobility-limited areas can access virtual consultations and remote diagnostics, eliminating barriers to care. This accessibility improves equity by helping more people benefit from timely medical attention.
Better Communication Between Patients and Providers
IoT fosters stronger connections between patients and providers by facilitating seamless data sharing. Device-generated reports can be accessed across teams, improving collaboration and care continuity. This transparency builds trust and enables more productive, informed discussions about treatment plans.
Challenges and Considerations for Connected Medical Devices
Connected medical devices offer immense potential to transform healthcare, but patient safety must always remain the top priority. Reliability and robust device security are fundamental to protecting patients from risks such as interrupted care or compromised treatment decisions. Here are the top considerations when it comes to implementing medical IoT devices in a healthcare setting:
Patient Care
Patient safety is the foundation of connected device use in healthcare. These tools must be designed and deployed with the unwavering goal of preventing harm or injury to patients. Reliable care delivery is essential to safety—ensuring every patient receives consistent, high-quality treatment.
By integrating connected devices thoughtfully, healthcare providers can ensure they enhance care without compromising safety, reliability, or equity. This balanced approach is vital for building trust and delivering consistent patient-centered care.
Cybersecurity
IoT-connected devices can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, such as hacking, ransomware, and unauthorized access. These threats can compromise patient safety, disrupt functionality, and undermine trust in healthcare systems. Strong security measures—including encrypted communication, multi-factor authentication, and regular updates—are vital to protecting both patients and providers.
Data Privacy
The constant flow of data from connected devices raises serious privacy concerns. Without stringent controls, sensitive health information can be exposed through weak security, external partnerships, or unclear governance. Transparent data practices, restricted access, and robust protections are essential to safeguarding patient confidentiality while building trust in connected care.
Regulatory Compliance
Connected medical devices must adhere to strict healthcare regulations like HIPAA in the US and GDPR and DSPT in the UK to protect patient data and ensure safety. As technology evolves, regulatory frameworks change rapidly, creating additional challenges for compliance.
Embracing the Future of Connected Healthcare
Connected medical devices and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) are redefining healthcare by enabling more personalized, data-driven, and efficient care delivery. From improving patient outcomes to streamlining workflows, these innovations hold tremendous potential. But to realize this promise, healthcare organizations must prioritize safety, operational reliability, and robust security measures, ensuring that technology serves as a trusted partner in care delivery.
Explore Cylera’s Advanced Intelligence and Security for Connected Medical Devices
For years, Cylera has played a foundational role in helping many of the world’s largest healthcare systems secure their evolving landscape of connected medical devices. Cylera’s advanced IoT asset intelligence and security platform empowers healthcare delivery organizations to protect what matters most. By providing comprehensive IoT visibility, real-time threat monitoring, and streamlined risk mitigation, Cylera minimizes cyber threats while ensuring operational resilience. With its focus on helping hospitals and health organizations protect connected medical devices and infrastructure, Cylera helps these institutions build secure, connected digital healthcare ecosystems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient patient care delivery.
Discover how Cylera can safeguard your organization. Learn more about how Cylera works, explore customer success stories, or request a personalized demo today.
