Over the past decade, patent filings for medical devices (의료기기) in South Korea have risen by 42%.
This trend marks a new era of medical technology patents, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable health devices (웨어러블).
Biometric devices (생체계측기기) accounted for the largest share, representing 14.6% of total filings. Notably, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual inventors were responsible for 51.4% of these applications (출원).
Medical devices are undergoing rapid transformation. Extending beyond traditional diagnostic and therapeutic functions, a growing array of medical devices now integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable devices. This evolution is clearly reflected in recent patent filing statistics.
According to data from the Korean Intellectual Property Office (특허청, KIPO), the number of patent applications related to medical devices increased from 9,336 in 2015 to 13,282 in 2024, representing a growth of approximately 42% over the past decade. Compared to the average growth rate of 12% across all technical fields (기술 분야) during the same period, the medical device sector has experienced a significantly faster expansion, growing at approximately 3.5 times the rate of other fields.
Biometric devices accounted for the largest volume of patent applications, while medical information devices (의료정보기기) exhibited the highest growth rate in filings.
Among medical device technologies, biometric devices recorded the highest number of patent applications over the past decade, totaling 17,514 filings (14.6% of filings). Wearable devices equipped with sensors measuring heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure comprised the majority.
The next most active categories in terms of patent filings were surgical treatment devices (수술치료기기)(14.0%), medical information devices (13.7%), and medical consumables (medical consumables) (11.9%). Specifically, in terms of growth rate, patent applications for medical information devices were the highest. They recorded an annual average growth rate of 21.9%, and technologies related to AI-powered remote medical care systems accounted for 92.6%, highlighting strong interest in this field.
This was followed by anesthesia ventilators (마취호흡기기)(5.6%) and biometric devices (5.5%), both of which continued to demonstrated steady growth.
The shift becomes evident when examining the actual patent applications filed. One major company has been granted a patent for its wearable device system that monitors users’ electrocardiograms, body temperature, and other vital signs, and connects them to medical institutions in emergency situations. Another company has been granted a patent for its platform, which enables medical appointment scheduling, remote consultations, and medication prescriptions. The Research Team of a major university has been granted a patent for its remote health-monitoring system, which is integrated with a ceiling-mounted air conditioner (천장형 에어컨).
SMEs and individual inventors accounted for the majority of patent applications. Samsung Electronics filed the most patent applications. One notable trend is that SMEs and individual inventors accounted for the majority (51.4%) of all patent applications related to medical devices, underscoring their pivotal role in driving innovation. Specifically, SMEs accounted for 31.7% (37,925) of patent applications, while individual inventors accounted for 19.7% (23,554). Next, they were followed by foreign corporations (19.6%) and universities and public research institutes (19.1%).
Samsung Electronics filed the highest number of patent applications, followed by Yonsei University, Korea University, and OSSTEM IMPLANT (오스템임플란트). In terms of technological categories, Samsung Electronics led in both biometric devices and assistive devices. Yonsei University ranked first in medical information devices, while Samsung Medison topped the category of diagnostic imaging devices. OSSTEM IMPLANT held the leading position in dental devices, and BODYFRIEND (바디프랜드) was the top filer in therapeutic and supportive care devices.
Exports of medical devices have also increased, reflecting the broader expansion of patent-driven industries.
According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (한국보건산업진흥원), South Korea’s medical device exports in 2025 were valued at approximately $6.25 billion (approximately KRW 8.65 trillion), and is projected to increase by 7.4% year-over-year. The increase in patent filings serves as a key indicator of technological competitiveness, reflecting both the growth of exports and the underlying foundation for industrial expansion.
Yeonghee Lim (임영희), Director of the Chemistry and Biotechnology Examination Bureau at the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), stated, “There has been an increase in research and development activities focused on medical devices that integrate advanced technologies (첨단기술) such as AI and wearable devices. As a result, the number of related patent applications is rising rapidly...We are committed to proactively sharing patent information (특허 정보) and supporting R&D initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of Korea’s medical device industry (의료기기 산업).”