Medical technology is saving lives by improving the efficacy of existing treatments, launching groundbreaking approaches to illness and disease, and improving patient outcomes.
The global medical technology market is now worth $384 billion, a 37% increase in the last ten years. Innovation is transforming the way care providers approach human health. This guide will examine some of the newest medical technologies changing the healthcare world as we know it.
Table of Contents
Augmented Reality Surgical Navigation
Improving the accuracy of surgery is a priority for the medical industry. More effective surgeries lead to reduced patient complication rates and the need for subsequent surgeries. One of the latest technologies to address this issue is augmented reality surgical navigation.
By transforming imaging data into a 3D hologram, surgeons can see this hologram via their visors. With submillimeter accuracy, surgeons can focus directly on their objective without looking at separate screens.
This technology has existed to some extent for a while, but cost and setup time has prevented healthcare institutions from implementing it. New incarnations have finally made AR navigation viable.
mRNA Technology
mRNA technology has received vast attention due to its role in developing new vaccines to address the COVID-19 threat. However, mRNA technology is thought to extend beyond the rapid development of vaccines.
Research has shown that mRNA technology could be coded to practically any protein, enabling the basic technology to contribute to the development of treatments for practically any illness. The affordability of mRNA technology could also provide an alternative to expensive protein-based pharmaceuticals.
Virtual Reality
Mental illness is a serious problem in the U.S. According to the latest research, one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Virtual reality has been highlighted as a means to treat and manage various conditions, including stress, depression, anxiety, and even autism.
The capabilities of virtual reality extend into pain management by altering patients’ thoughts and perceptions.
Tremendous leaps in the technology that enables virtual reality has made this emerging medical technology viable for various medical advancements, including preventative care, therapy, rehabilitation, and even surgery.
Neurotechnology
Knowledge of the brain remains minimal. We have the most limited understanding of this part of the human body. The idea that we use 10% of our brain is a myth. The truth is we only understand 10% of how the brain functions.
Neurotechnology offers unlimited potential to improve every aspect of life and has already been implemented in the medical and wellness niches.
Neurotechnology enables care providers to understand the brain, visualize its processes, and even control its functions. In many ways, neurotechnology allows one to control and monitor the brain as a computer expert would diagnose and monitor a computer system.
Neurotechnology is currently used in brain imaging, stimulation, and monitoring through specialized implants.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is one of the most exciting technologies influencing every commercial and industrial sector. Within the healthcare landscape, AI has proven its worth in providing early detection capabilities for some of the most dangerous diseases in the world.
For example, AI has been used to speed up mammogram reviews by up to 30 times, with an accuracy rate of 99%.
Drug research is another area where AI plays a pivotal role. It has streamlined drug discovery processes, including discovering new medicines and repurposing existing ones.
3D Printing
3D printing is one of the hottest technologies on the market. Within healthcare, 3D printing is being utilized to create implants and joints for use during surgery.
3D prosthetics created via printing offer additional customization options while cutting costs for end-users.
3D printing is also used to plan surgeries by taking perfect replicates of a patient’s anatomy. Enabling surgeons to train in this way allows them to attempt procedures that would previously be viewed as too dangerous.
Conclusion
New medical technologies are changing the way healthcare providers deliver treatments. By using these technologies to discover new treatments, repurpose old ones, and cut costs within the healthcare business, patients are the ones that benefit the most.
However, it’s believed that most of the above technologies have only been leveraged at a fraction of their total potential. Patients can expect even more innovations through these foundational technologies in the years to come.
What’s the medical innovation you’re most excited about?