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. 2024 Jul 11:13:e48259.
doi: 10.2196/48259.

Evolution of Digital Health and Exploration of Patented Technologies (2017-2021): Bibliometric Analysis

Wenjun Gu  1 , Jinhua Wang  2 , Yunqi Zhang  3 , Shaolin Liang #  3   4 , Zisheng Ai #  1 , Jiyu Li #  5
Affiliations

Evolution of Digital Health and Exploration of Patented Technologies (2017-2021): Bibliometric Analysis

Wenjun Gu et al. Interact J Med Res. .

Abstract

Background: The significant impact of digital health emerged prominently during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, there is a paucity of bibliometric analyses focusing on technologies within the field of digital health patents. Patents offer a wealth of insights into technologies, commercial prospects, and competitive landscapes, often undisclosed in other publications. Given the rapid evolution of the digital health industry, safeguarding algorithms, software, and advanced surgical devices through patent systems is imperative. The patent system simultaneously acts as a valuable repository of technological knowledge, accessible to researchers. This accessibility facilitates the enhancement of existing technologies and the advancement of medical equipment, ultimately contributing to public health improvement and meeting public demands.

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to gain a more profound understanding of technology hotspots and development trends within the field of digital health.

Methods: Using a bibliometric analysis methodology, we assessed the global technological output reflected in patents on digital health published between 2017 and 2021. Using Citespace5.1R8 and Excel 2016, we conducted bibliometric visualization and comparative analyses of key metrics, including national contributions, institutional affiliations, inventor profiles, and technology topics.

Results: A total of 15,763 digital health patents were identified as published between 2017 and 2021. The China National Intellectual Property Administration secured the top position with 7253 published patents, whereas Koninklijke Philips emerged as the leading institution with 329 patents. Notably, Assaf Govari emerged as the most prolific inventor. Technology hot spots encompassed categories such as "Medical Equipment and Information Systems," "Image Analysis," and "Electrical Diagnosis," classified by Derwent Manual Code. A patent related to the technique of receiving and transmitting data through microchips garnered the highest citation, attributed to the patentee Covidien LP.

Conclusions: The trajectory of digital health patents has been growing since 2017, primarily propelled by China, the United States, and Japan. Applications in health interventions and enhancements in surgical devices represent the predominant scenarios for digital health technology. Algorithms emerged as the pivotal technologies protected by patents, whereas techniques related to data transfer, storage, and exchange in the digital health domain are anticipated to be focal points in forthcoming basic research.

Keywords: CiteSpace5.1R8; bibliometric analysis; digital health; patent; technology trends.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The flowchart for data collection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Applied and granted patents from 2017 to 2022.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Intellectual property office for published patents (marked according to the country where the intellectual property office is located).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Institutional coauthorship network.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Top 10 technology topics of Assaf Govari.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Inventor coauthorship network.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Top 20 subject categories with the strongest citation bursts.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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