10 INNOVATION IN MEDICAL AND HEALTH

 

1. 3D printing drugs in dinosaur shapes for kids

In August 2015, the FDA approved an epilepsy drug called Spritam that is made by 3D printers. It prints out the powdered drug layer by layer to make it dissolve faster than average pills.

2. Robotic surgery 

Robotic surgery is used in minimally invasive procedures and helps to aid in precision, control and flexibility. During robotic surgery, surgeons can perform very complex procedures that are otherwise either highly difficult or impossible. As the technology improves, it can be combined with augmented reality to allow surgeons to view important additional information about the patient in real time while still operating.

3. Artificial organs

To take 3D printing up another notch, bio-printing is also an emerging medical technology. While it was initially ground-breaking to be able to regenerate skin cells for skin draughts for burn victims, this has slowly given way to even more exciting possibilities. Scientist have been able to create blood vessels, synthetic ovaries and even a pancreas. These artificial organs then grow within the patient’s body to replace original faulty one.

4. Wireless brain sensors

Medical advances have allowed scientists and doctors to team up and create bioresorbable electronics that can be placed in the brain and dissolve when they are no longer needed, according to Plasticstoday.com. This medical device will aid doctors in measuring the temperature and pressure within the brain. Since the sensors are able to dissolve, they reduce the need for additional surgeries.

5. Virtual reality 

Recently, with medical and technological advances, medical students have been able to get close to real life experience using technology. Sophisticated tools help them gain the experience they need by rehearsing procedures and providing a visual understanding of how the human anatomy is connected. The VR devices will also serve as a great aid for patients, helping with diagnosis, treatment plans and to help prepare them for procedures they are facing. It has also proved very useful in patient rehabilitation and recovery.

6. Abbott

Abbott’s MitraClip is the first transcatheter mitral valve repair therapy that is designed to deliver a treatment option for patients with primary or secondary mitral regurgitation who would otherwise go untreated.The device is a minimally invasive, catheter-based therapy that eliminates the need for open-heart surgery.

                                         

7. Venovo venous stent system

BD’s Venovo venous stent system is designed to accurately perform optimal stent placement and lesion coverage. It is purpose-built for the iliofemoral veins.The system offers radial force, crush resistance and flexibility. It features 3mm flared stent ends that reduce the risk of stent migration while maximizing wall apposition.

8. Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific’s HeartLogic is a personalized, remote heart failure diagnostic and monitoring device.The device uses physiologic sensors with high sensitivity and low-alert burden to provide weeks of advance notice to detect early signs of worsening heart failure.

9. Teva Pharmaceuticals

Teva’s ProAir Digihaler is a digital rescue inhaler with built-in sensors that detect the use of the inhaler and measure inspiratory flow.Data from the inhaler is recorded as an event when a patient inhales and is sent to an accompanying smartphone app through Bluetooth where patients can then review information to share with a healthcare provider.

10. Pulmonx

Pulmonx’s Zephyr endobronchial valve system is an implantable device used to reduce over-inflation of the lungs due to severe emphysema in adults.The device features a one-way silicone duckbill valve attached to a nickel-titanium self-expanding retainer that is covered with a silicone membrane.