An essential fact of today’s healthcare system is that patients are released from hospitals due to increased stress even when they still need care. As a result, both the patient and professional caregivers utilize various technologies, including some complex mechanisms, in noninstitutional settings to manage their health, assist in terms of healthcare to others, and receive assistance in health management. This technology is also known as At Home Medical Equipment/Medical Devices, which provides support for care related to acute and chronic medical conditions and disease prevention and lifestyle choices. Medical technologies utilized in a range of non-clinical environments run in the spectrum of complexity, from simple materials used for administering first aid to sophisticated devices used for delivering advanced medical treatment, and in different sizes, from tiny wireless devices to massive machines.

Some medical devices have been used in households for many years now. In contrast, other new devices are just beginning to migrate, and novel and emergent technologies present new healthcare management opportunities in the home. Some of these medical devices are explicitly designed for use outside the formal health care settings by professional home health caregivers and the general public. As a consequence, many of the human factors challenges must be addressed to render these technologies, devices, and systems safe, usable, and effective for use in environments beyond the institution and for use by the much more varied population of users in these environments. Consequently, many human factors challenges must be addressed to proffer these technologies, devices, and systems safe, usable, and effective for use in environments beyond the institution and for use by the much more varied population of users in these environments. 

Most widely used At Home Medical Equipment

Blood Glucose Monitoring System

Blood glucose monitoring systems are used to measure/monitor the quantity of glucose in the blood at home or in health care settings. There are two types of blood glucose monitors on the market: self–monitoring blood glucose monitoring devices and continuous glucose monitoring systems.

The blood glucose monitoring systems market is now gaining traction due to the rising prevalence of diabetes among the global population. In addition, the increasing geriatric population who are susceptible to developing diabetes is expected to raise the demand for blood glucose monitoring systems. As per DelveInsight analysis, the global blood glucose monitoring systems market will reach about USD 20.40 billion by 2027. 

The leading players currently operating in the blood glucose monitoring systems market include Medtronic, Abbott, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, LifeScan IP Holdings (Johnson & Johnson), Dexcom Inc., ARKRAY, Inc., Senseonics, WaveForm Technologies, Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG., Ypsomed, i-SENS, Inc., Intuity Medical, Inc., ACON Laboratories, Inc., Prodigy Diabetes Care, LLC, Sinocare, Rossmax International Ltd., A. Menarini Diagnostics s.r.l, Bionime Corporation., MEDISANA GMBH, Nemaura., and others.

Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices

Blood pressure monitors are used to diagnose hypertension in patients. Blood pressure is a major risk factor for chronic heart disease and stroke, which are the leading causes of mortality worldwide. There is a surge in demand for blood pressure monitoring devices. This is because of the increased importance of blood pressure monitoring equipment in-home care settings and the advent of new technologies. Furthermore, the aging population, changing lifestyles, and the advent of new technologies are also driving the growth of the blood pressure monitoring market. Blood pressure monitoring devices are likely to become more popular in the upcoming years, as they can aid in the early detection of a patient’s deteriorating health status.

Some of the key companies devoted to the progress of the blood pressure monitoring devices market with innovative product development include General Electric Company, Koninklijke Philips, Halma, Smiths Medical, Omron, Welch Allyn, Spacelabs Healthcare, Microlife, and others. 

Pulse Oximeters

The Pulse Oximeter is a small, clip-like device that can be connected to the body’s toes or earlobes. It can detect even minor variations in the efficiency of transporting oxygen to the extremities away from the heart, such as the legs and arms. The device is most typically worn on the finger in critical care settings such as emergency rooms or hospitals. It is used to monitor various diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia, and lung cancer, among others. 

The pulse oximeters market witnessed a surge in demand during the outbreak of the new coronavirus pandemic, and the demand is projected to stay high in the future years. This is primarily due to the fact that the population has widely used these devices as an early screening approach for the deadly disease. Furthermore, rising public awareness of the usage of pulse oximeters in COVID-19 management is expected to drive the global pulse oximeters market. According to DelveInsight analysis, the global pulse oximeters market will reach about USD 3.98 billion by 2027. 

Some of the leading companies working in the global pulse oximeters market include Medtronic, Nonin Medical Inc., Lepu Medical Technology, TytoCare Ltd., VYAIRE., OMRON Corporation, Meditech Equipment Co ., Ltd, among others.

Insulin Pen

Insulin Pen is an injection device with a needle that delivers insulin into the body and manages diabetes. It delivers insulin, a vital hormone for people who have diabetes, into the subcutaneous tissue (the tissue between your skin and muscle). Insulin Pen comes with a cartridge, a dial to measure dosage, and a disposable needle. Owing to advancements in technology, nowadays, the Insulin Pen is getting more simple, accurate, and convenient, which makes it easy to use at home. several types of Insulin pens are available in the market and are less painful, which makes them more favorable to use in a home setting. Similarly, the pens come are easily reusable while several types available are disposable after a single-use.

With the rising number of diabetes cases and the growing popularity, the demand for the Insulin Pen in the home setting is growing at an immense rate. Globally, some of the MedTech giants such as Lilly, Medtronic, BD, Biocon, Diamesco, Emperra, Guangzhou Medsinglong Medical Equipment, HK Zion Industry,  Jiangsu Delfu Medical Device, Owen Mumford, Shanghai Umitai Medical Technology, Sun Medical Products, Suzhou Peng Ye Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Triones Technology (Guangzhou), Ypsomed, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi, among others are actively working in the insulin pen industry.

Respiratory Inhalers

Respiratory inhalers are portable devices that administer drugs into the airways for obstructive airway disorders such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders (COPD), asthma, and others. Inhaled pharmacologic therapies are the cornerstone of treatment and prevention for asthma and COPD patients. In comparison to oral or parenteral formulations, inhalers can avoid systemic drug exposure and are delivered topically into the airways, resulting in local efficacy within the lungs. There are four varieties of respiratory inhalers: pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), slow mist inhalers (SMIs), and nebulizers.

The increased prevalence of pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, and others around the world is primarily responsible for the rise in demand for respiratory inhalers. Furthermore, the deterioration of air quality and rise in air pollution, increased awareness of inhalers and their usage to control respiratory diseases, and an increase in smoking among the global population would all contribute to the growth of the respiratory inhalers market. As per DelveInsight analysis, the global respiratory inhalers market will reach about USD 50.40 billion by 2027.

The leading MedTech companies currently working in the respiratory inhalers market and developing novel products include Novartis AG, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline plc, CHIESI Farmaceutici S.p.A., Lupin, Zydus Cadila, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., OMRON, Koninklijke Philips N.V., PARI GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH., Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Lepu Medical Technology(Beijing)Co., Ltd., Rossmax International Ltd, Promed Technology Co., Limited, HELTMAN Medikal A.S., Pneuma Respiratory., Cipla Inc., Microlife Corporation., Honsun,  and others.

Pregnancy Test Kits

Pregnancy test kits are used to detect pregnancy early. Home pregnancy tests are simple to use, cheap, and offer results in a matter of minutes. Most at-home pregnancy tests yield 97% to 99% accurate results when used as directed. A urine pregnancy kit is used to identify the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone, which is generated exclusively in a pregnant woman’s body. hCG production increases in the early stages of pregnancy, with blood levels doubling every 2 to 3 days. The presence of hCG above a certain threshold indicates pregnancy.

The primary factors driving the global pregnancy detection kits market are the rising awareness about the availability of pregnancy detection kits, increasing awareness about the use of self-detecting pregnancy kits and their benefits, and a rise in demand for self-detecting pregnancy kits. Furthermore, the increasing adolescent pregnancy rate, promotional campaigns by manufacturers that use celebrities to influence rural populations to use pregnancy testing devices, technological advancements in pregnancy kits, and the expansion of product manufacturers’ distribution networks for widespread availability of kits.

Some of the top players currently working in the global pregnancy detection kits market include Alere Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., Church & Dwight, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics, Germaine Laboratories, Piramal Enterprises, Cardinal Health, Abbott Laboratories, DCC plc, Prestige Brands Holdings, Quidel Corporation, Kent Pharmaceuticals, Nantong egens bio Technology Company, Confirm Biosciences and others.

Benefits of Home Medical Equipments

Home medical equipments are the medical devices that provide patients with a safe, convenient, cost-effective, and appropriate environment in their own home. The advantages of choosing reliable, user-friendly medical equipment include sign tracking or emergency monitoring to ensure that you are receiving the necessary health treatment and avoiding worst-case scenarios. The most common benefits that at-home medical equipment provides are:

Eliminates the need for costly medical procedures

Patients suffering from chronic, lifestyle, or fatal illnesses require round-the-clock care and surveillance. The need for frequent hospital trips can make caring for them too expensive. Having medical beds, ECG units, and blood, urine, and glucose analyzers at home can be cost-effective in the long run. Home medical equipment provides patients with convenience while avoiding the expense of paying a third party every time tests are required.

Encourages the patient to live a more healthful lifestyle

Patients with chronic diseases employ a variety of diagnostic tools to assist them to manage their health over time. The results of these devices’ tests serve as reminders to people to take care of their health. These devices have the potential to change a patient’s long-term behavior and lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Aids in the management of chronic diseases

Asthma, cancer, and diabetes are all chronic conditions that require long-term care and control. Both patients and home health workers benefit greatly from home medical devices. These equipments monitor the patient’s health on a daily basis and assist the caregiver in providing an accurate report of how the patient is doing when they see a doctor.

Improves patient safety

Home medical equipment standardizes home healthcare and makes the job of carers easier. These devices make it easy to monitor and care for critically ill patients without having to worry about whether they will receive adequate support when they leave the hospital. A patient’s family and loved ones can also utilize the device with confidence under the supervision of medical professionals, knowing that they are assisting in the care of their loved ones without putting their own health at risk.

Future Perspective

The current scenario of explosive information bursting on the internet has provided people access to more data than ever before. People dealing with health-related issues have resources at their fingertips that give them information about different conditions, diagnoses, symptoms, and treatment options, making them more aware of the health care services they are using. On the other hand, the medical costs also seem to climb regularly, particularly as more devices are designed with lay users in mind. More people will use medical devices for health care in their own homes and other private and public environments.

It is high time that the medical industry needs to focus on improving the general public’s health, and there is a need to reduce the cost of providing health care. At-home medical equipment/medical devices promise to advance to these goals. However, to enable good health care at home, medical devices need to be designed to be more safe, accessible and usable, and available to more people.