Fast and responsive wireless communication using 5G networks will change the way medical evaluation and treatment are conducted through improvements in telemedicine, implementation of new wearable sensors, personalized care, and enabling advanced activities such as telesurgery. Rapid advances in wireless communication produced regulatory challenges in the research, development, manufacturing, and assessment of novel medical products.
5G-enabled Medical Device Working group:
The MDIC 5G-Enabled Healthcare Technologies Working Group convened key stakeholders to identify potential solutions for these regulatory challenges to facilitate the development of novel medical device technology based on 5G telecommunication networks, while ensuring patient safety.
Working Group Stakeholders
- FDA
- Medical device manufactures
- Medical device industry groups
- Large-scale 5G network operators
- Small-scale private 5G network operators
- 5G chipset manufacturers
- 5G network equipment manufacturers
- Test laboratories
- Test equipment manufacturers
- Standards development organizations (SDOs)
- Academic research groups
- Clinicians, clinical institutions, and medical professionals
- Patients and patient advocacy groups
MDIC 5G-Enabled Healthcare Technologies Working Group Co-Leads
- Mohamad Omar Al-Kalaa, PhD, Staff Fellow, FDA
- Inhel Rekik, MS, CISM Sr. Director, Product Security, Bracco Medical Technologies
Program Focus Areas
Coordinated by MDIC, this volunteer committee initially identified open regulatory research questions related to the integration of 5G technology in novel medical devices. Further, their work defined knowledge gaps to be addressed to facilitate the and accelerate 5G-enabled device availability to patients while ensuring their safety, privacy, and device security.
Tools and Resources
MDIC 5G Landscape Analysis Report
This report surveys the role of 5G connectivity in current and future applications within the healthcare continuum of care. The report provides an overview of 5G technology along with several healthcare use cases, such as 5G-enabled simulation with extended reality, 5G-enabled robotics, mobile units, and remote care. Key challenges and knowledge gaps identified must addressed to deliver the benefits of 5G in healthcare more safely to patients.
MDIC 5G Security Enhancement Overview
Provides an overview of security enhancements inherent in 5G-networks compared to earlier generations of cellular communication technologies while highlighting security configurations and scalable security solutions / protections.
5G Communication in Healthcare: Background, Landscape, and Use Cases Webinar
This recording includes an overall description of 5G communication technology, the role of 5G in the healthcare landscape, and examples of 5G-enabled healthcare applications including medical extended reality (MXR), robotics, mobile units, and remote care.
Contact
Contact us at 5G@mdic.org or reach out the MDIC program staff:
- Jithesh Veetil, PhD, Senior Program Director (Digital Health & Technology) jveetil@mdic.org
- Jennifer Waters, Project Manager, jwaters@mdic.org
Current as of September 15, 2023
