One of the hallmarks of the digital health market is how fast trends can develop. Although a movement toward wearable devices has only just begun to emerge, a newer trend of using implantable sensors is starting to take shape. Of course, the idea of using an implanted device to monitor patients is not completely new, but the technology of how and what can be measured is taking a step forward.
One investor sees the focus on implantables as a trend that could lead to revolutionary changes in medical care. “I’m beginning to use a new term, ‘new medical hardware,’ which is a change from the big machines in central labs used by doctors,” says Karen Liu, a managing partner at Beijing-based 3E Bioventures