Guest Editorial Special Issue on Cardiovascular System Monitoring and Therapy: Innovative Technologies and Internet of Things

Abstract

The papers in this special section focus on cardiovascular system monitoring and therapy. The number of devices for the measurement and interpretation of biological systems that describe performance of the cardiovascular system is growing. Among others, this is due to the improvement of circuit and system design that renders the devices wearable and easy to use. Moreover, internetworking enables these devices to exchange data. Their true impact on patient care is highly dependent on the quality and relevancy of the data acquired. The design of circuits and systems to answer the growing demand and the necessity to have portable and connected devices lead to a focus on designing ultra-low power apparatus, mixed-signal devices, using nanoscale electronics. Microelectronic issues are therefore at the heart of the demand. All this requires inter-disciplinary collaborations between scientists, engineers, medical researchers, and practitioners. The interconnection of these embedded devices, known as Internet of Things, is expected to usher in the medical field, among others to study the cardiovascular system of patients. Data processing and storage will also take place in the healthcare information technology. Furthermore, key issues such as data security and privacy will be determinants of the utility of these systems and impact in healthcare monitoring and management. This special issue aimed to provide a forum for both established experts and newinvestigators to share their developments, knowledge, and insights for the further design of circuits and systems aiming at being integrated in sensors to monitor or treat the cardiovascular system.