Medical and technological advancements are intertwined; as such, the more innovations there are in the technological field, the more innovations can be found in medicine as well. Even if it may not be too noticeable, innovations occur constantly and consistently. In that respect, there have been many changes in the medical world as well, allowing for better and more effective care together with improved and updated treatments for a range of different conditions.
Innovations in Medicine
Smart Inhalers
Asthma patients have to use inhalers regularly as this is the most efficient form of treatment for the said disease. However, it also seems that a big majority of patients fail to use their inhalers properly, which often results in the need to use reliever meds. Thanks to the smart inhaler innovation, patients can now connect their inhalers to their smartphones and instantly check whether the inhaler is properly administered, the right dosage, date and time for the inhalation, and so on. This will allow the patients to keep track of their condition and manage it without frequent use of reliever medicine.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is another innovation in medicine that allows surgeons to be more precise with their work. This is especially effective for minimally invasive surgeries that still require complex work due to the nature of the surgery, the location that’s being operated on, etc. Rather often, robotic surgery is combined with camera technology in order to allow the surgeon a better view of the targeted area. While there are some concerns about robots replacing human surgeons in the future, the more likely reality is that these technologies will only further enhance the efficiency of the surgeon’s work.
3-D Printing
3-D printing has taken the world by storm as its technology allows for creating implants and joints. These 3-D printed prosthetics are known to be a lot more accurate and precise to the individual’s natural body shape and movements, which allows for greater comfort, flexibility, and mobility. What’s more, 3-D printers can also create soluble items, which has been used for pill printing that holds several different drugs at once. Such a practice makes it easier for the patients to keep track of their medication and their schedules in regard to meds. At the moment, there’s a lot of research and effort put into the use of 3-D printing for creating artificial organs, which is bound to revolutionize medical treatments in the future.
Less Invasive Laser Technology
Laser technology has been used in medicine for a while now, and the innovations in the field allow these laser-based machines to address and fix various health issues and conditions in the least invasive way possible. That said, some conditions such as anthropic vaginitis, dyspareunia, and urinary incontinence can be taken care of through the procedure of vaginal rejuvenation. This treatment utilizes CO2 lasers to further stimulate the natural healing process of the tissue. This automatically leads to more collagen production and the return of the vaginal wall to its original state without having the patient undergo overly invasive procedures.
Precision Medicine
The whole innovation strategy in medical technologies is heavily focused on creating more customized treatment solutions for individuals and their specific needs. As such, the advancement of so-called precision medicine has become one of the most talked-about and researched therapies. Essentially, these precision meds are created to cater to the individual’s genetic make-up. This is immensely valuable when it comes to the treatment of cancer and different types of tumors as they attack the patient’s genes. Furthermore, precision medicine is a good solution for other types of diseases that form based on the patient’s genetic make-up, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The same principle is used to protect the weakened genes affected by the disease to ultimately reduce the symptoms.
Virtual Reality
Even though it has been around for a while, virtual reality is now also gaining momentum in the medical world. The whole concept of VR allows medical students to gain valuable experience for potential real-life situations. It also provides them with the opportunity to rehearse and polish their skills. What’s more, virtual reality can benefit the patients as well, especially when it comes to a better understanding of the treatment plans as well as their rehabilitation process.
As technology continues to advance so will the medical field. Therefore, we can look forward to the future where it’s possible to utilize technological innovations for treatment and health purposes even more so than now.Â
