LiFi and Healthcare

Through the National Plan of Resilience and Recovery (PNRR), the Italian government explained how it will invest European resources provided by the Recovery Fund: among several fields, the healthcare sector was particularly emphasized. A significant part of the resources will be allocated to healthcare to digitalize medical care.

Among several technological innovations in the medical field, LiFi joins the picture along with the transparent photovoltaic glass windows, which are relevant for sustainable purposes.

Applications in the healthcare field can be as beneficial for patients as they are for healthcare workers and visitors. The implementation of specific LiFi Zones can bring several services that aim at improving the check-in and check-out processes, as well as geo-locating and sharing medical records. This would guarantee the privacy and safety of the data transmission.

It is important to keep in mind that many medical devices that are used in the surgical room, both in intensive therapy and in radiology, do not allow radio frequencies, therefore the WiFi. This makes LiFi technology a valid alternative to WiFi in the medical field. Since it emits a signal that does not interfere with the medical equipment, the LiFi technology allows a bidirectional and wireless connection which guarantees fast data transmission, high bandwidth, and density.

How Does it Work?

Every device comes equipped with a modem that modulates light at a rate that is not perceptible by the human eye.  This process is detected by a USB Li-Fi key that is connected to a computer or a tablet. This USB Li-Fi key then transmits the data to the lighting device through an infrared connection. In addition, LiFi guarantees higher cybersecurity, because light cannot penetrate solid barriers such as walls. Thus, direct exposure to light is necessary to access the network.