“Innovation” the act of alteration and transformation is crucial for progress and meeting the changing needs of a dynamic society. This is no exception in the field of medicine, through the years, populations change and disease trends shift from chronic to non-chronic as countries experience increasing urbanisation and epidemiologic transition.
These innovations although may seem preliminary when first launched or executed could potentially shape the future of medicine. The following are five innovations that have shown to be groundbreaking and disruptive enough to shape the way medicine is delivered.
1. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence; the mimicry of programmes to think and act like the human mind. Since its formal discovery in 1956, advancements and improvements to artificial intelligence (AI) has propelled its applications to the medical field.
From machine learning to natural language processing, developments in AI have been leveraged by various aspects of the medical field. The attractiveness of AI in medicine has been its ability to process large amounts of real world data to generate meaningful conclusions and assist in decision-making of healthcare professionals.
Notably, the use of AI in radiography and medical imaging through deep learning algorithms has gained much interest in the medical field. Medical imaging for diagnosis of cancers or identification of tumours through automated AI technology provides time-saving and even life-saving possibilities for patients waiting for a diagnosis of their condition.
AI has also had its hand in drug discovery by tapping on the potential of artificial neural networks, the process of designing biologically new molecules for pharmaceuticals could be made more efficient. The feasibility and ease of automating the drug discovery process seems to be in the near future. Deargen Inc., a South Korean drug discovery has reported to have used an AI model to screen through over 4,000 drugs currently available that could help combat the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
No doubt AI will have its part in the future of medicine, however it would not only take a well-taught programme to change and improve the way medicine is delivered but also the people who make up the healthcare ecosystem.
2. Prosthetics
The use of prosthetics dates back to ancient Egypt in the year 3000 BC when the earliest proof of prosthetics were found. Since then this area in medicine has advanced rapidly through the years, assisted by technological advancements.
Prosthetic technology are now more advanced with more precise functions. Some advances include the use of 3D printing to manufacture prosthetics in a cost-effective manner. This allows the increase availability of prosthetics to those who were previously unable to afford. 3D printouts of prosthetic limbs have as been found to be more lightweight and convenient for the patient.
Besides prosthetic limbs, bionic eyes could become available soon in the not so distant future. Scientists from the Hong Kong, S.A.R., China University of Science and Technology have recently developed the world’s first spherical artificial eye from a network of nanowire light sensors. This offers the potential for the visually impaired.
In Japan, researchers at Tohoku University have developed contact lenses with a self-moisturising system that could help to prevent “dry eye syndrome” — which is prevalent in contact lens wearers. This new technology shows the potential for expansion for other applications for ophthalmology such as drug delivery for those visually impaired or with retinopathy.
3. Telemedicine
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of telecommunication; whether is it for work or in our personal lives. Even before the rise of the pandemic, telemedicine has already been on the rise. With clinics offering outpatient consultations an...
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