Improvements in medical technology is one of the central goals of most developed societies as a means to ensure that their citizens have an excellent quality of life. They do this through disease prevention, promoting good health, and providing a functional healthcare system.
Over the years, there have been trials on different medical technologies with the hope of finding the best ones to achieve the above. Even though some findings have been made, there are still signs that many more will arise in the future.
And from the looks of things, health care is mainly dependent on medical technology – which makes it one of the most crucial healthcare aspects today.
This article will be looking into the top ten latest medical technologies and how they aim to help the health sector.
Top Ten Latest Medical Technologies
The Rise of AI
Artificial intelligence is becoming extremely popular today, and this applies even in the health sector. There is an expectation that it will get a 40% rise in 2021, around a whopping $6.6 Billion.
AI can elevate and minimize risk in the following ways:
- Providing automated reminders for patients
- Identifying high-risk individuals
- Providing recommended dosage tailored to the ailment of patients etc.
Robotic Surgery
Here, surgeons can carry out difficult procedures that were previously not possible or tremendously difficult. During these surgeries, surgeons can see real-time information of patients as they perform surgeries. There is even a belief that this emerging medical technology may eventually replace human surgeons.
NanoMedicine
Nanomedicine is a medical subset of nanotechnology. This medical technology, although little in size, comes with some amazing potential. Nanomedicine can be applied in sensing, imaging, delivery, and diagnoses using medical devices.
Data Focused Healthcare
Brain, a consultancy firm, states that by 2025, the health sector’s big data market is bound to get to almost $70 billion. The use of health data collection is continuously on the rise, bringing prospects for enhancing treatment options. With this technology, health care facilities can have access to patient’s data, including past treatments, allergies, and so on, with the click of a button.
5G Compliant Devices
Most of the emerging medical technologies we have discussed so far need a reliable and lighting fast connection to work at full capacity – and this is where 5G comes in.
With fast speed, sensors and medical devices connected to 5G can instantly capture and send data. The effect of this is improved monitoring of patients, which means quicker response by health specialists – and ultimately fewer causalities among patients. Forward-thinking experts are already looking at the benefits of combining robotics, 5G, and healthcare. According to experts, this change may be seen earlier than expected. Devices with 5G will set a new pace to the overall health market.
Tricorders
Tricorders have been existing in fictional movies for a very long time. In fiction, they are believed to be portable devices that can correctly and quickly monitor numerous vital signs while carrying out simple diagnostics. Thankfully, this device is no longer a work of fiction as it has become one of the trending medical technology.
Basil Leaf Technologies developed a real-life tricorder known as DxtER. This medical technology is easy to use – as patients can use it without the need for medical training. DxtER uses an innovative diagnostics machine that takes patients’ data from numerous sources before running them through an algorithm. This algorithm recognizes over 30 health issues, some of which include diabetes, tuberculosis, and stroke.
Digital Assistants for Healthcare
Digital assistants are becoming a part of our daily lives. Common examples include Google Home and Alexa, which have changed how we use and interact with technology. These digital assistants are being adopted in the health sector as they have applications in evaluation, capturing, and the use of health data. To this end, Cerner and Epic, two of the biggest designers of EHR systems, started to integrate virtual assistants in their systems – which work using voice commands. What’s more, Saykara, an AI startup, has kicked off a new voice assistant that can listen to and understand a conversation between patients and physicians using voice commands.
Smart Pacemakers
The pacemaker is a medical technology that has been existing for a long time. And even now, it remains an important medical technology – which tons of patients today use. The pacemaker delivers electrical impulses to the heart muscles’ chambers, intending to correct or prevent heart arrhythmias. Also, these devices must be monitored for them to function at peak capacity, but the interface may be too complex for every patient to understand completely.
Pacemakers got an upgrade in 2021 that made them smarter. These devices were incorporated with Bluetooth technology, allowing patients to connect them to their mobile-based applications that are easy to use and understand.
Ultimately, this will lead to better remote monitoring and fewer casualties among patients. Some companies like Medtronic have already begun introducing leading monitoring systems for pacemakers, and other companies will follow this path.
3D Printing
3D printers have started to grow in popularity as one of the leading medical technologies today. With these printers, it is possible to develop joints and implants in surgeries.
These implants are a top choice for patients because they can be personalized to suit patients’ needs. What’s more, with their digital capacity, they can adapt to a person’s measurement to ensure a high level of mobility and comfort.
Health Centric Wearables
Fitness trackers have become a common trend today. However, wearable technology has branched off into the next recent trend in the field of health. Patients with diabetes can now monitor their glucose levels better using wearable continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)
With this wearable, people suffering from diabetes don’t need constant glucose testing anymore. Now, they can have a real-time update of their blood sugar and keep track of it. This wearable allows users to see how exercise and food affect their overall health, which enables them to make adjustments as needed. What’s more, with this device, hyperglycemia can instantly be spotted, making this a growing medical trend.
