New-Tech Europe | June 2017

Medical Devices Special Edition

of security is required. NFC is a powerful technology when used on its own, but also works well in conjunction with other wireless technologies. Multiradio modules with both Bluetooth and NFC, for instance, can take advantage of Bluetooth Out of Band pairing where the device uses NFC to establish a secure Bluetooth connection using physical proximity. Users get the best of both worlds - the tap-to- connect security and convenience of NFC, with the range and continuous connectivity of Bluetooth. Wearable Medicine The potential of wearable medical devices is only just being realized. These devices have the power to move the centre of healthcare

from the hospital to the home, potentially improving the lives of the elderly, chronically ill, and underserved populations such as the poor or disabled. Wearables also have the potential to improve the efficiency of hospitals, as well as help diagnose preventable diseases early on, before they transform into serious illnesses. At the centre of the medical wearable revolution are two key technologies - Bluetooth Smart, and NFC. Bluetooth Smart provides an extremely low power consumption technology with widespread smartphone compatibility, while NFC is an extremely user-friendly technology that enables incredibly thin and light form factors and batteryless designs. Each of these

wireless technologies has its own advantages for the current and coming wave of medical wearables.

Mark joined Mouser Electronics in July 2014 having previously held senior marketing roles at RS Components. Prior to RS, Mark spent 8 years at Texas Instruments in Applications Support and Technical Sales roles and holds a first class Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering from Coventry University.

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