Advancements in Medical Technology in 2021
Medical technology is the application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries. Medical technology encompasses a wide range of devices, software, biologics, and services that aim to enhance human health and well-being. In 2021, medical technology has witnessed remarkable innovations and breakthroughs that have the potential to transform healthcare and improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world. Here are some of the most notable medical technology advances in 2021:
- **Artificial Intelligence (AI)**: AI is the ability of machines or software to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, decision making, and natural language processing. AI has been increasingly applied to various aspects of healthcare, such as diagnosis, drug discovery, personalized medicine, radiology, surgery, and patient care. For example, AI can help analyze large amounts of data from electronic health records, medical images, genomic sequences, and clinical trials to identify patterns, insights, and predictions that can assist clinicians in making better decisions and providing more accurate and efficient care. AI can also help automate repetitive and tedious tasks, such as scheduling appointments, billing, and documentation. Some examples of AI applications in healthcare in 2021 are:
- **DeepMind's AlphaFold**: AlphaFold is an AI system developed by DeepMind, a subsidiary of Google, that can predict the three-dimensional structure of proteins from their amino acid sequences. Protein structure is crucial for understanding the function and interactions of proteins, which are involved in almost every biological process and disease. However, determining protein structure experimentally is often time-consuming, costly, and challenging. AlphaFold can predict protein structure with unprecedented speed and accuracy, surpassing the state-of-the-art methods by a large margin. This breakthrough could accelerate scientific discoveries and drug development for various diseases, such as COVID-19, Alzheimer's, and cancer.
- **IBM Watson Health's Digital Health Pass**: Digital Health Pass is a blockchain-based platform that allows individuals to securely store and share their health status, such as COVID-19 test results or vaccination records. The platform uses encryption and verifiable credentials to ensure the privacy and authenticity of the data. Digital Health Pass can help facilitate the safe reopening of businesses, schools, travel, and events by enabling individuals to prove their health status without revealing sensitive personal information.
- **Augmented Reality (AR)**: AR is the technology that overlays digital information or images onto the real-world environment through devices such as smartphones, tablets, glasses, or headsets. AR can enhance the perception and interaction with the physical world by providing additional or contextual information. AR has been used for various purposes in healthcare, such as education, training, simulation, guidance, visualization, and communication. For example, AR can help medical students and professionals learn anatomy, physiology, procedures, and skills in a more immersive and realistic way. AR can also help surgeons plan and perform surgeries by projecting anatomical structures or navigation cues onto the patient’s body or surgical field. Some examples of AR applications in healthcare in 2021 are:
- **Microsoft's HoloLens 2**: HoloLens 2 is a mixed reality headset that combines AR and virtual reality (VR) to create a holographic experience. HoloLens 2 can track the user's eye movements, gestures,
voice commands,
and spatial awareness to provide a more natural
and intuitive interaction with the digital content. HoloLens 2 has been used for various healthcare scenarios
, such as remote collaboration
, telemedicine
, surgical guidance
, medical education
, and patient engagement.
- **Philips' Azurion with FlexArm**: Azurion with FlexArm is an image-guided therapy system that uses AR to enhance the visualization
and navigation of interventional procedures
, such as angioplasty
, stenting
, ablation
, or embolization. The system consists of a movable C-arm that can rotate around the patient in multiple directions
, a large flat-panel detector that can capture high-quality images
, and a touch screen table user interface that can control the system's settings
, display multiple images simultaneously
, and overlay anatomical landmarks or measurements onto the live images. The system can help improve the efficiency
, accuracy
, and safety of interventional procedures by reducing radiation exposure
, contrast media usage
, procedure time
, and complications.
- **Blockchain**: Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that records transactions or data in a secure
, transparent
, immutable
, and decentralized way. Blockchain can enable peer-to-peer exchange of value or information without intermediaries or central authorities. Blockchain has been applied to various aspects of healthcare
, such as data management
, supply chain
, identity verification
, consent management
, and payment. For example, blockchain can help improve the interoperability
, integrity
, and security of health data by allowing different stakeholders to access and share data in a standardized
, verifiable
, and encrypted way. Blockchain can also help track and trace the origin
, quality
, and distribution of medical products
, such as drugs
, vaccines
, or device. Some examples of blockchain applications in healthcare in 2021 are:
- **MediLedger**: MediLedger is a blockchain-based network that connects pharmaceutical manufacturers
, distributors
, and dispensers to ensure the traceability and authenticity of prescription drugs. MediLedger uses smart contracts to automate the verification and exchange of product information
, such as serial numbers
, lot numbers
, expiration dates
, and ownership. MediLedger can help prevent counterfeit or diverted drugs from entering the supply chain
, as well as comply with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) regulations.
- **Estonia's e-Health Foundation**: Estonia's e-Health Foundation is a public organization that manages the national electronic health record (EHR) system for Estonia's population of 1.3 million people. The system uses blockchain to ensure the security and integrity of the health data by creating a unique hash for each record and storing it on a distributed ledger. The system also uses blockchain to record the access logs and consent history of each patient, allowing them to control who can view or modify their data.
- **Genome Editing**: Genome editing is the technology that allows precise manipulation of the DNA sequence of living cells or organisms. Genome editing can be used to add, remove, or modify genes to alter the function or characteristics of cells or organisms. Genome editing has been used for various purposes in healthcare, such as gene therapy, drug development, disease modeling, and biotechnology. For example, genome editing can help correct or replace defective genes that cause genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, or sickle cell anemia. Genome editing can also help create novel drugs, vaccines, or antibodies by modifying the genes of microorganisms, plants, or animals³. Some examples of genome editing applications in healthcare in 2021 are:
- **CRISPR-Cas9**: CRISPR-Cas9 is a genome editing tool that uses a guide RNA molecule to direct a Cas9 enzyme to cut a specific DNA sequence. CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to edit multiple genes at once, as well as insert or delete DNA fragments at the cut site. CRISPR-Cas9 has been used for various healthcare applications, such as creating gene therapies for cancer, HIV, blindness, and blood disorders, developing COVID-19 diagnostics and vaccines, and engineering immune cells to fight infections or tumors.
- **Prime Editing**: Prime editing is a genome editing tool that uses a prime editor (PE) complex consisting of a Cas9 nickase enzyme and a reverse transcriptase enzyme fused to a guide RNA molecule. Prime editing can precisely edit DNA sequences without requiring double-strand breaks or donor DNA templates. Prime editing can be used to correct up to 89% of known genetic variants associated with human diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- **The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)**: IoMT is the network of interconnected medical devices, software, sensors, and applications that collect, transmit, analyze, and act on health data. IoMT can enable remote monitoring, diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients' health conditions. IoMT can also improve the efficiency, quality, and safety of healthcare delivery by reducing errors, costs, and waste. For example,
IoMT can help monitor patients' vital signs,
symptoms,
medication adherence,
or activity levels through wearable devices,
smart patches,
or implantable sensors. IoMT can also help optimize the utilization,
maintenance,
and performance of medical equipment,
such as ventilators,
infusion pumps,
or MRI machines. Some examples of IoMT applications in healthcare in 2021 are:
- **Medtronic’s MiniMed 770G System**: MiniMed 770G System is an insulin pump system that uses IoMT to automatically adjust the delivery of basal insulin based on the glucose readings from a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The system also allows patients to view their glucose data on their smartphones and share it with their caregivers or healthcare.
