FREMONT, CA: Today, medical devices are witnessing some of the most significant advancements. The researchers apply technology outside of medicine to make the methods more precise. Meanwhile, hospitals and medical professionals are reaping the benefits of new developments like 5G in order to use medical devices in new ways. Here are three ways hospitals can benefit from the advancements in medical device technology.
Early Diagnosis
New medical devices help to detect severe conditions earlier than before. Early detection means the doctors can prescribe patients the treatments that they need—before the symptoms become debilitating or harder to cure.
Some of these advances, such as genomic testing devices, draw on advances in genetics. The doctors can use genetic markers on a patient’s DNA to predict if a person is likely to suffer from certain chronic and genetic conditions.
The recent advances in MRI technology make images and scan more detailed, providing the doctors with better insights into the cause of a patient’s problem. Developments in artificial intelligence might soon make these devices more accurate.
Accessible Doctor Visits
With the help of telemedicine, doctors use telecommunications and medical devices to provide advice and diagnose the patients who is unable to see a professional in person. Telemedical devices assist doctors in reaching out and treating patients. The technology can also be used to help remote patients receive the necessary follow-up care, especially when a treatment center is far away. It is also applicable in poor communities where long-distance travel is cost-prohibitive or is impossible due to weather or damaged infrastructure.
This innovation has already helped patients to follow-up remotely, allowing them to save lengthy or costly travel. Also, it has been effective at keeping patients in touch with doctors.
Remote Surgery
The surgical counterpart of telemedicine is telesurgery. Surgeons conduct medical operations with the help of telecommunications technology and surgical robots, enabling the patients to receive specialist treatment eliminating th need to travel.
Although the technology has been around since the early 2000s, slow wireless speeds curtail development. 4G was a significant improvement in technology but failed to deliver speeds fast enough to conduct telesurgery. The delay between the human action and robot result was enough to worry surgeons.
Researchers are applying new developments in AI to old technology to improve their accuracy. Improved wireless communication will allow doctors and nurses to get real-time updates on patients. Soon, that same technology will enable surgeons to operate on distant patients without the need to travel.
