Depending on the specific system type, embedded system design encompasses various engineering details and customization options. All systems must be created considering and adhering to the medical IT interoperability requirements. Orthogone systems engineering can help you in this regard.
For embedded systems, there are various classifications, including:
- Standalone embedded systems
- Networked embedded systems
- Mobile embedded systems
- Real-time embedded systems
Let us look at the differences between these distinct system types.
Standalone embedded systems
This kind of system can function without a computer. Their name suggests that they are independent contractors. Healthcare-related examples of biomedical freestanding embedded systems include:
- Glucometers
- Tonometers
- Electronic thermometers
- Fitness trackers
- Electronic pulse-oximeters
Networked embedded systems
This embedded, biomedical system relies on local networks and online connectivity for operation and data transmission. Embedded systems that are “networked” often include the following examples:
- equipment for detecting falls and monitoring systems for assisted living or memory care institutions
- robotically assisted medicine and surgery
- Laboratory testing instruments and solutions
- IoT-based technologies, including alarms, cameras, and sensors, for keeping an eye on inpatient health.
Mobile embedded systems
Portable embedded solutions consist of handheld electronics (such as tablets or smartphones, for example) and synced biosensors. We can talk about remote cardiac patient ECG monitoring, for instance.
- An ECG-monitoring biosensor is connected to the server over a web or mobile communication channel.
- A tablet application for clinicians in charge of monitoring patient cardiograms and ECG activity.
Real-time embedded systems
Under the pretense of an integrated system, this complicated hybrid embedded solution combines a variety of devices and technologies. This sort of system often requires dependable, high-capacity communication lines in order to collect environmental data in real-time from a web of sensors and send it to a centralized node, frequently supported by AI, to regulate system reaction.
Wearables, IoT-connected gadgets, and hospital-installed medical equipment are common examples of real-time embedded systems in the healthcare sector.
That kind of mechanism:
- There are several synchronized and networked sensors, actuators, and other monolithic devices.
- A variety of interfaces and technologies are used for one or more objectives.
- In an emergency, choices may be made using artificial intelligence (AI) or complex algorithms.
- These complex systems, for instance, can be used to monitor patient health and deliver robotic or automated medical treatment without the need for urgent help from medical personnel. Certain operations, like automated medicine injection, can be performed automatically if sufficient data has been acquired and confirmed.
