An Overview of SaMD & Its Benefits

In recent times, technology has significantly made improvements with connectivity. We can exchange data effortlessly between devices, cloud platforms, and servers. The medical field needs to use such technological advancements to take better care of the patients' health. Therefore, advanced healthcare services and products working through software are emerging at a fast pace called Software as a Medical Device (SaMD). It is possible to use such digital therapeutics products with other physical appliances or operate as a standalone element. These software-enabled technological developments in the medical industry support the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation process of patients with thorough monitoring procedures. In recent times, SaMD is becoming popular in metropolitan cities like Chennai and Bangalore and growing exponentially to serve people with various health conditions. This article will provide you with all you need to know about Software as a Medical Device (SaMD).

SaMD Is One of the Effective Digital Therapeutics Products- An Explanation

SaMD (Software as a Medical Device) is a new technology representing one of the emerging edges in the medical field. It is one of the digital therapeutics products that can be used in medical treatments without being a part of the medical device's hardware. In short, it is software that can serve as a standalone device or interface with other physical devices but must necessarily run on a mobile or computing device.

There are various regulatory bodies to impose the regulation on newly manufactured SaMD. Though the regulatory requirements differ from one country to another, in most cases, the requirements will revolve around maintaining the software's data integrity. Any device which collects and transfers personal health data must be approved by the FDA and follow the strictures of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. In instances where the device's failure harms the patient, such digital therapeutics products will be subjected to stricter regulations.

The software medical devices categorize the software application into two divisions. They are:

1. Significance of Information- The medical devices or digital therapeutics products used to treat and diagnose patients always have higher standards of clinical evidence. They contain analytical and scientific validity to assess clinical performances. In contrast, the devices or applications that provide only clinical management information have fewer validation requirements.
2. State of Disease- The SaMD used to intervene with critical diseases must always be tested more rigorously, even if they are used to detect only non-serious illnesses.

Benefits of SaMD, One of the Popular Digital Therapeutics Products

There are several benefits for patients, healthcare providers, manufacturers, and SaMD investors while embracing the medical device software service.

Also Read: Benefits of DTx in Mental Health Therapies

Real-time Alerts & Monitoring

SaMD wearable technology has a broad spectrum of applications that improves the quality and speed of medical care and hence is of great significance to the practitioners. When doctors can monitor the patient's vitals and minute fluctuations in real-time, they analyze the patients' health over time without missing out on any medical symptoms. Thus, with digital therapeutics products, healthcare providers can enhance their treatment plans and increase the effectiveness of preventive care.

Accurate & Fast Data Collection

SaMD, one of the reliable digital therapeutics products, can gather data fast and more accurately than any other medical expert or device. Thus, SaMD provides a valuable insight to pursue any treatment procedure without rechecking the data.

Data Analysis & Trending

Analyzing and developing data models comes in coherence with fast and accurate data collection. SaMD tools gather, analyze, and produce data for clinicians to make informed decisions after evaluation. Thus, most of the premium health facilities in Chennai and other big cities use digital therapeutics products to speed up the data analysis process significantly.

Regulations

Strict regulations are a benefit for device manufacturers and investors. As the SaMD technology requires regulatory approval, the manufacturers take considerable time and effort to develop the digital therapeutics products. Because of this, there will be only limited producers who will be capable of keeping up the quality till its final stage and creating products. Thus, it reduces the number of competitors for that particular product, even in metropolitan cities like Chennai where there are more producers and people ready to grab the opportunity and make business. Eventually, without much competition, the manufacturers seek great benefits.

Rigorous Development & Testing

The regulatory requirements impose strict protocols for designing SaMD while checking the technology's performance. Therefore, the digital therapeutics products that enter the market are completely tested and then developed. This favors the SaMD companies and investors as the increased testing levels create confidence among medical practitioners to adopt any device that includes SaMD.

Examples of SaMD Prevailing in the Market

A few examples of SaMD devices are:

1. Software allowing MRI and other medical imaging to be viewed on mobile devices.
2. Software performing image processing to detect cancer.
3. Software to diagnose medical conditions with a digital camera using an accelerometer.
4. Software regulating medical devices like pacemakers
5. Heart rate monitors and BMI or body fat calculators.

There are three prevailing trends seeking popularity tremendously in recent times in big cities like Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. They are:

1. Wearable Technology- SaMD in wearable technology monitors the patient's information in real-time and sends them as notifications to the physicians or healthcare providers. Beyond this primary application, there are a few other features like self-tracking, getting instant alerts about minute health deviations, etc.
2. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)- SaMD can transfer or share data at a fast pace between interconnected medical devices or healthcare facilities to make informed decisions.
3. Telehealth- The need for remote health consultations is exploding, but it is a known fact that the technology has not yet caught up with the demand. But it is possible to use telehealth in a better manner with the help of SaMD and other digital therapeutics products capable of collecting sensitive data from a distance.

Summing It Up
Any SaMD will be assessed in an FDA audit to meet the requirements of design, validation, development, management, deployment, and maintenance. Thus, digital therapeutics products are known for their authenticity and never go wrong in treating any medical problem.