The healthcare industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation, with activity driven by telemedicine, real-time diagnostics, smart hospitals and access to digital therapies, as well as the growing importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), robotics and data management practices. In the last three years alone, there have been over 106,000 patents filed and granted in the healthcare industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Cybersecurity in Healthcare: RFID-enabled patient data tracker.

According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 443,000 patents to analyse innovation intensity for the healthcare industry, there are 200+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

RFID-enabled patient data tracker is a key innovation area in cybersecurity

RFID tracking systems enable the real time monitoring of patient information, such as name, medical records, allergies, medicine stock levels, and expired pharmaceuticals. Healthcare providers use RFID-enabled technology to track patients through a wristband which can locate vehicles, patients with memory problems, and equipment while expediting care. The technology is a powerful tool for asset management in healthcare facilities.

GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 10+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established healthcare companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of RFID-enabled patient data tracker.

Key players in RFID-enabled patient data tracker – a disruptive innovation in the healthcare industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.

Patent volumes related to RFID-enabled patient data tracker

Company Total patents (2010 - 2021) Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies
Microsoft 93 Unlock company profile
FedEx 85 Unlock company profile
MEPS Real-Time 52 Unlock company profile
Johnson & Johnson 31 Unlock company profile
Mate Fertility 28 Unlock company profile
Koninklijke Philips 12 Unlock company profile
Medtronic 12 Unlock company profile
AcelRx Pharmaceuticals 10 Unlock company profile
77Kc 10 Unlock company profile
Brain Trust Innovations I 9 Unlock company profile
Haemonetics 8 Unlock company profile
Sakura Global Holding 7 Unlock company profile
Walmart 7 Unlock company profile
Baxter International 6 Unlock company profile
ResMed 6 Unlock company profile
Beijing Electronics Holding 5 Unlock company profile
Novartis 5 Unlock company profile
F. Hoffmann-La Roche 5 Unlock company profile
A-T Solutions 5 Unlock company profile

Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics

Microsoftis one of the leading patent filers in the field of RFID-enabled patient data tracker. Some other key patent filers in the field include FedEx, MEPS Real-Time, Johnson & Johnson and Mate Fertility.

In terms of application diversity, Johnson & Johnson leads the pack, followed by ResMed and FedEx in second and third spots, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Sakura Global held the top position, followed by 77Kcand Novartis in the second and third spots, respectively.

RFID tracking systems has a promising future in assisting medical services in hospitals, such as enhanced security, operational effectiveness, and cost savings by tagging stocks, assets, patient data, and personnel records. The technology’s ability to provide real-time traceability, identification, communication and temperature can offer cost benefits to the healthcare sector.

To further understand how cybersecurity is disrupting the healthcare industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Cybersecurity in Healthcare.

GlobalData

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.