Research and innovation in internet of things in the medical sector has declined in the last year.

The most recent figures show that the number of IoT related patent applications in the industry stood at 298 in the three months ending February – down from 316 over the same period in 2021.

Figures for patent grants related to IoT followed a similar pattern to filings – shrinking from 158 in the three months ending February 2021 to 126 in the same period in 2022.

The figures are compiled by GlobalData, who track patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Using textual analysis, as well as official patent classifications, these patents are grouped into key thematic areas, and linked to key companies across various industries.

IoT is one of the key areas tracked by GlobalData. It has been identified as being a key disruptive force facing companies in the coming years, and is one of the areas that companies investing resources in now are expected to reap rewards from.

The figures also provide an insight into the largest innovators in the sector.

Johnson & Johnson was the top IoT innovator in the medical sector in the latest quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in the United States, filed 75 IoT related patents in the three months ending February. That was up from 39 over the same period in 2021.

It was followed by the Ireland based Medtronic Plc with 56 IoT patent applications, the United States based Baxter International Inc (30 applications), and Switzerland based F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (30 applications).

Johnson & Johnson has recently ramped up R&D in IoT. It saw growth of 48% in related patent applications in the three months ending February compared to the same period in 2021 - the highest percentage growth out of all companies tracked with more than 10 quarterly patents in the medical sector.