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Veterinary medicine is experiencing significant advancements driven by technology, paralleling innovations seen in human healthcare. These developments enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and overall animal welfare. Below are key areas where technical advances are making a substantial impact.

Advanced Diagnostic Techniques

Digital Imaging: Technologies such as digital radiography, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI have transformed how veterinarians visualize internal structures. These non-invasive methods provide detailed insights into an animal’s health, enabling more accurate diagnoses without the need for invasive procedures.

Point-of-Care Testing: Automated analyzers and point-of-care devices allow veterinarians to conduct real-time diagnostics, yielding immediate results for blood tests and other analyses. This rapid feedback loop improves treatment timelines and outcomes.

Molecular Diagnostics: Advances in molecular techniques have enhanced the identification of pathogens, allowing for more precise diagnostics. Techniques like PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) are increasingly used to detect diseases at a genetic level, improving sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional methods.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration

AI in Diagnostics: AI algorithms are revolutionizing veterinary diagnostics by analysing medical data rapidly and accurately. For instance, AI can identify anomalies in imaging studies (like X-rays) with high precision, facilitating early intervention for conditions such as hip dysplasia.

Predictive Analytics: AI tools are also employed to predict disease outbreaks and optimize treatment plans based on large datasets. This capability is particularly beneficial in livestock management, where early detection can prevent widespread health issues.

Telemedicine: AI-driven telehealth platforms enable remote consultations, expanding access to veterinary care. This is especially valuable in rural areas or during emergencies when immediate access to a veterinarian may not be possible.

Innovative Treatment Modalities

Regenerative Medicine: Techniques like stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are being utilized to promote healing and tissue regeneration in animals. These therapies are particularly effective for joint injuries and degenerative conditions.

Nanotechnology: This technology enhances drug delivery systems by targeting specific cells or tissues, thereby increasing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. Nanoparticles can transport medications directly to cancer cells or inflamed tissues.

Wearable Technology: Devices that monitor health metrics in real-time are becoming common in veterinary practice. These wearables allow for continuous monitoring of vital signs and activity levels, enabling proactive health management.

Surgical Innovations

Minimally Invasive Techniques: Advances in interventional radiology allow for surgeries that are less invasive than traditional methods. Real-time imaging technologies guide these procedures, resulting in reduced recovery times and lower complication rates.

3D Printing: Custom prosthetics and surgical models created through 3D printing are enhancing surgical planning and patient outcomes. This technology allows for tailored solutions that improve mobility and quality of life for animals with disabilities or injuries.

Conclusion

The integration of advanced technologies in veterinary medicine is reshaping the landscape of animal healthcare.

From sophisticated diagnostic tools to innovative treatment options, these advancements not only improve the standard of care but also enhance the overall well-being of animals.

As research continues and new technologies emerge, the future of veterinary medicine promises even greater improvements in animal health management.

Here are some of the most important topics currently shaping the medical devices landscape. These topics are crucial for innovation, regulatory compliance, and improving patient outcomes in Healthcare, the medical device and digital health industry.

The main topics in our opinion are:

Regulatory Changes

The evolving landscape of regulations, such as the EU MDR and FDA reforms, affects how devices are approved and monitored. These changes reflect the evolving landscape of medical technology and the need for regulators to ensure patient safety while fostering innovation. Staying informed about these developments is crucial for stakeholders in the medical device industry. Regulatory changes in medical devices can significantly impact development, approval, and market access.

Here are some key areas where changes have been noted:

• Post-Market Surveillance: There is an increasing emphasis on post-market surveillance to monitor the long-term effects of devices after they hit the market. This includes mandatory reporting of adverse events.
• Digital Health Regulations: With the rise of software as a medical device (SaMD), regulators are adapting their frameworks to include digital health technologies, focusing on cybersecurity and data privacy.
• Streamlined Approval Processes: Some regions are introducing expedited pathways for breakthrough devices that address unmet medical needs, allowing for faster access to innovative solutions.
• Global Harmonization Efforts: Initiatives are underway to harmonize regulatory requirements across countries, which can simplify the approval process for manufacturers operating internationally.
• Increased Focus on Human
• Factors: Regulators are placing greater importance on user-cantered design and usability testing to ensure devices are safe and effective for their intended users.
• Regulations for Artificial Intelligence: As AI becomes more prevalent in medical devices, specific regulations and guidelines are being developed to address the unique challenges and risks associated with AI technologies.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Some regulatory bodies are starting to consider environmental impacts, encouraging manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices in device production and disposal.

Digital Health Integration

The rise of telehealth and digital therapeutics is driving innovation in connected devices and remote monitoring. Digital health integration in healthcare refers to the incorporation of digital technologies into healthcare systems to enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and streamline operations. Overall, successful digital health integration requires collaboration among stakeholders, including healthcare providers, technology developers, and policymakers, to create a patient-centred, efficient, and equitable healthcare system.

This integration can encompass a range of technologies and practices, including:

1. Telemedicine: Virtual consultations allow patients to connect with healthcare providers remotely, increasing access to care, especially in rural or underserved areas.
2. Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Digital records enable better data management, allowing for streamlined information sharing among healthcare providers, which can enhance care coordination and patient safety.
3. Wearable Devices: Technologies like smartwatches and fitness trackers collect health data (e.g., heart rate, activity levels) that can inform personal health management and preventive care.
4. Mobile Health Apps: These applications help patients manage their health, track medications, and access health information, empowering them to take an active role in their care.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI can analyse large datasets to support clinical decision-making, identify patterns in patient data, and predict health outcomes.
6. Health Information Exchange (HIE): Facilitates the sharing of health information across different healthcare organizations, improving continuity of care.
7. Remote Patient Monitoring: Devices that monitor patients’ health conditions in real time allow for timely interventions and reduce hospital readmissions.
8. Data Analytics: Leveraging big data can enhance public health surveillance, optimize resource allocation, and personalize treatment plans.

Benefits

• Improved Patient Engagement: Digital tools empower patients to manage their health more effectively.
• Enhanced Access to Care: Telehealth and mobile apps make healthcare more accessible, particularly for those with mobility or transportation issues.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduces overhead costs and minimizes unnecessary hospital visits through better management of chronic conditions.
• Better Outcomes: Timely interventions and personalized care plans lead to improved health outcomes.

Challenges

• Data Privacy and Security: Protecting sensitive health information is critical, and breaches can undermine patient trust.
• Integration Issues: Ensuring different systems and technologies work seamlessly together can be complex.
• Digital Divide: Not all populations have equal access to digital technologies, which can exacerbate health disparities.
• Training and Adaptation: Healthcare providers must be trained to use new technologies effectively, and some may resist change.

Cybersecurity

With increased connectivity, the security of medical devices against cyber threats is a major concern. Cybersecurity in medical devices is a critical concern as these devices become increasingly connected and reliant on software. As medical devices continue to evolve with new technologies, ongoing vigilance and proactive measures in cybersecurity will be essential to protect patient safety and privacy.

Here are some key aspects to consider:

• Risk Assessment: Regular risk assessments should be conducted to identify vulnerabilities in the device’s software and hardware.Regulatory Standards: Compliance with regulations such as the FDA’s guidelines and the EU’s Medical Device Regulation (MDR) is essential for ensuring safety and security.
• Data Protection: Ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient data is crucial. This includes implementing encryption and secure data transmission protocols.
• Patch Management: Regular updates and patches are necessary to fix vulnerabilities. Manufacturers should have a clear plan for updating devices post-deployment.
• User Training: Healthcare professionals need training on how to recognize potential cybersecurity threats and how to respond effectively.
• Incident Response Plan: Establishing a robust incident response plan helps organizations quickly address and mitigate the impact of security breaches.
• Supply Chain Security: Manufacturers should ensure that their supply chains are secure and that third-party components do not introduce vulnerabilities.
• Device Lifecycle Management: Consider cybersecurity throughout the entire lifecycle of the device, from design and manufacturing to end-of-life.
• Collaboration: Collaboration between manufacturers, healthcare providers, and regulatory bodies is vital to share best practices and improve overall security.

Artificial Intelligence

AI and machine learning are being integrated into diagnostic and imaging devices, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare in numerous ways, enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. Overall, AI in healthcare promises to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance the overall quality of care. However, it also raises ethical concerns, such as data privacy and the need for transparency in AI decision-making processes.

Here are some key applications:

1. Diagnostic Support: AI algorithms analyse medical images (like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans) to assist radiologists in detecting diseases such as cancer and fractures more accurately and quickly.
2. Predictive Analytics: AI models can analyse patient data to predict outcomes, such as the likelihood of hospital readmission or disease progression, allowing for timely interventions.
3. Personalized Medicine: AI helps in tailoring treatment plans based on individual patient data, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors, improving treatment efficacy.
4. Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI-driven NLP tools extract relevant information from unstructured data in medical records, aiding in clinical decision-making and improving documentation efficiency.
5. Virtual Health Assistants: AI chatbots and virtual assistants provide patients with information, schedule appointments, and manage medication reminders, enhancing patient engagement and satisfaction.
6. Drug Discovery: AI accelerates the drug development process by analysing biological data, predicting how compounds will behave, and identifying potential drug candidates more efficiently.
7. Robotics and Surgery: AI-powered robotic systems assist surgeons in performing complex procedures with precision, reducing recovery times and minimizing complications.
8. Telemedicine: AI enhances telehealth platforms by providing tools for remote monitoring and virtual consultations, ensuring continuous patient care.
9. Operational Efficiency: AI optimizes hospital operations by predicting patient volumes, managing resources, and reducing wait times, ultimately improving the patient experience.

Wearable Technology

The popularity of wearables for health monitoring (like heart rate, glucose levels) continues to grow, leading to new applications. Wearable technology in healthcare has become a transformative force, providing innovative ways to monitor health and enhance patient care. Wearable technology in healthcare holds great promise for improving patient outcomes and enabling proactive health management. As technology evolves, its integration into everyday health practices is likely to increase, reshaping how we approach wellness and medical care.

Here are some key aspects:

1. Health Monitoring

Wearable Devices: Fitness trackers and smartwatches can monitor vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

Chronic Disease Management: Devices specifically designed for conditions like diabetes (e.g., continuous glucose monitors) help patients manage their health more effectively.

2. Remote Patient Monitoring

Telehealth Integration: Wearables enable healthcare providers to monitor patients remotely, improving access to care and allowing for timely interventions.

Data Collection: Continuous data collection allows for more personalized treatment plans and timely adjustments based on real-time data.

3. Fitness and Wellness

Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Wearables encourage physical activity and wellness through tracking fitness goals, sleep patterns, and dietary habits.

Behavioural Insights: Analysing usage data can provide insights into patient behaviour and help tailor interventions.

4. Emergency Alerts

Fall Detection and Alerts: Many wearables have features that can detect falls and alert caregivers or emergency services.

Health Alerts: Devices can notify users and healthcare providers of abnormal health metrics, facilitating quick responses.

5. Challenges and Considerations

Data Privacy: Concerns about the security of sensitive health data collected by wearables.

Regulatory Issues: Ensuring devices meet regulatory standards and are clinically validated for accuracy.

User Compliance: Encouraging consistent use among patients can be challenging.

6. Future Trends

Integration with AI: Enhanced analytics through artificial intelligence for better predictive insights and health management.

Expanded Capabilities: Advances in technology may lead to wearables that can monitor additional health parameters, improving their utility in clinical settings.

Sustainability

There is a push for more sustainable practices in manufacturing and disposal of medical devices. Sustainability technology in healthcare is an evolving field aimed at reducing environmental impact while improving patient outcomes. By integrating these technologies, healthcare systems can not only enhance their operational efficiency but also contribute to a healthier planet.

Here are some key areas where this technology is making a difference:

1. Energy Efficiency: Hospitals are adopting energy-efficient systems, such as LED lighting, smart HVAC systems, and renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, to reduce their carbon footprint.
2. Waste Management: Advanced waste management technologies are helping healthcare facilities manage medical waste more effectively. Innovations include waste-to-energy systems and recycling programs that minimize landfill contributions.
3. Telemedicine: By facilitating remote consultations, telemedicine reduces the need for travel, lowering carbon emissions while improving access to care.
4. Sustainable Materials: The use of biodegradable and recyclable materials in medical devices, packaging, and consumables is on the rise. This shift helps reduce plastic waste in healthcare settings.
5. Green Building Practices: Many new healthcare facilities are being designed with sustainable architecture, incorporating features like green roofs, natural lighting, and sustainable materials to promote energy efficiency and patient well-being.
6. Data Analytics: Using data analytics can optimize resource use in hospitals, leading to reduced waste and improved patient care. Predictive analytics helps in anticipating patient needs, thereby streamlining operations.
7. Supply Chain Innovations: Sustainable procurement practices and local sourcing of materials can minimize environmental impact while supporting local economies.
8. Patient Engagement Tools: Technologies that empower patients to manage their health (e.g., apps for tracking medication or wellness) can lead to better outcomes and reduced healthcare utilization.

Patient-Centric Design

Devices are increasingly designed with a focus on user experience, accessibility, and engagement. Patient-centric design in healthcare focuses on creating systems, services, and environments that prioritize the needs, preferences, and experiences of patients.

Here are some key aspects:

3D Printing

3D printing is transforming healthcare in several significant ways. This technology is being used for custom implants and prosthetics, allowing for personalized healthcare solutions. Overall, 3D printing in healthcare enhances personalization, efficiency, and innovation, leading to improved patient outcomes and experiences.

Here are some key applications:

1. Prosthetics and Orthotics: Custom prosthetics can be tailored to an individual’s anatomy, improving comfort and functionality. 3D printing allows for quicker production and adjustments.
2. Surgical Planning and Models: Surgeons can create precise anatomical models from patient scans (like CT or MRI) to practice complex procedures, enhancing precision during actual surgeries.
3. Bioprinting Tissues and Organs: While still in experimental stages, bioprinting aims to create living tissues and potentially organs for transplantation, addressing donor shortages.
4. Dental Applications: 3D printing is widely used for making dental crowns, bridges, and aligners, offering customized solutions that improve fit and reduce production time.
5. Medical Devices: Custom instruments and devices can be designed and printed for specific procedures, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of medical treatments.
6. Drug Delivery Systems: 3D printing can be used to create personalized medication dosages and delivery methods, optimizing treatment for individual patients.
7. Education and Training: 3D models of anatomy and pathologies can be used for training medical students and professionals, providing a hands-on learning experience.

Point-of-Care Testing POCT

The demand for rapid, on-site diagnostics is increasing, especially highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Point-of-care testing (POCT) refers to medical diagnostic testing performed at or near the site of patient care, rather than in a centralized laboratory. This approach allows for rapid diagnosis and treatment, improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare efficiency. Overall, point-of-care testing represents a transformative shift in healthcare delivery, aiming to make diagnostics more accessible and timely.

Here are some key aspects of POCT in healthcare:

Advantages

1. Speed: POCT provides immediate results, enabling quicker clinical decision-making.
2. Convenience: Testing can be done in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and even at home.
3. Improved Patient Experience: Reduced wait times and the ability to receive results during a single visit can enhance patient satisfaction.
4. Cost-Effectiveness: It can reduce the need for follow-up visits and hospital admissions.

Challenges

• Accuracy and Reliability: Some POCT devices may have lower sensitivity or specificity compared to laboratory tests.
• Quality Control: Ensuring proper training and adherence to protocols is essential to maintain test quality.
• Integration with Health Records: Seamless data entry and sharing can be complex, affecting care coordination.

Common Applications

• Infectious Disease Testing: Rapid tests for conditions like strep throat, influenza, and COVID-19.
• Blood Glucose Monitoring: Essential for diabetes management.
• Cardiac Markers: Tests for troponin and other markers that indicate heart attack.
• Coagulation Testing: Monitoring patients on anticoagulant therapy.

Future Trends

• Technological Advances: Development of more sophisticated, portable devices and apps for a variety of tests.
• Telemedicine Integration: Combining POCT with telehealth services to reach more patients.
• Personalized Medicine: Tailoring tests and treatments based on individual patient data.

Global Health Equity

Efforts to improve access to medical devices in underserved populations and regions are becoming a priority. Global health equity in healthcare refers to the fair distribution of health resources and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their geographic, economic, or social circumstances. It emphasizes the need to address disparities that lead to unequal access to healthcare services, quality of care, and health outcomes.

Moving Forward: Efforts to promote global health equity must be multifaceted, involving community engagement, investment in health systems, and a commitment to justice and human rights. By addressing these factors, we can work towards a more equitable healthcare system that benefits everyone.

Key Aspects of Global Health Equity:

Access to Healthcare: Ensuring that everyone can obtain necessary healthcare services, including preventive care, treatment, and rehabilitation, is fundamental. This includes addressing barriers such as cost, location, and availability of services.

Quality of Care: Equitable healthcare also means that the quality of care should not vary based on socio-economic status, ethnicity, or location. This requires investments in training, resources, and infrastructure.

Social Determinants of Health: Factors such as education, income, and living conditions significantly influence health outcomes. Addressing these social determinants is crucial for achieving health equity.

Policy and Advocacy: Governments and organizations must create policies that promote health equity, including funding for underserved populations and implementing laws that protect the rights of marginalized groups.

Global Collaboration: Health inequities often transcend national borders. International cooperation among governments, NGOs, and private sectors is vital for addressing global health challenges, such as pandemics or access to vaccines.

Cultural Competency: Healthcare providers need to be culturally aware and sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of their patients to ensure effective communication and care.

Challenges to Global Health Equity:

Economic Disparities: Poverty and lack of resources can limit access to healthcare.

Political Instability: Conflict and governance issues can disrupt health systems.

Inadequate Infrastructure: Many regions lack the necessary healthcare facilities and personnel.

Stigma and Discrimination: Marginalized groups often face barriers to accessing care due to societal stigma.

A hospital provides treatment to patients based on their medical condition so they can resume their normal activity following the treatment. It does not aim to turn healthy people into sick ones.

Green hospitals aim to save energy, conserve resources and be environmentally friendly. The focus is mainly on keeping people healthy, not just treating them when they are sick.

The “Green Hospital” concept is based on providing healthcare without causing any harm to the environment and the healthcare worker.

Motives and Goals

In the health sector, the “Green Hospital” is a concept that is beginning to redefine how healthcare facilities are built to protect the environment while saving human lives.

The greater the amount of energy consumed in a hospital, the greater the release of toxic wastes to the environment, causing damage which may put human lives at risk of other diseases and death.

The transformation of hospitals into eco-friendly buildings began by displaying the hazardous healthcare waste as well as harmful effects and then treating them one by one to reach the desired goal. This aims to ensure physical and psychological safety.

Hence began the sanitary disposal of medical waste and the effects resulting from the operation process on the one hand, and modifying practices in workplaces, patient rooms and hospital surroundings, in a way that brings psychological comfort to the patient without harming the healthy.

The shift to constructing sustainable healthcare facilities is largely centred on reducing the carbon burden in hospitals while ensuring that the occupants – staff and patients – are kept safe. More and more hospital administrators are beginning to involve architects in incorporating green concepts into hospital design.

Hospitals utilize more resources and produce more waste materials than most other commercial buildings of a similar size. Healthcare facilities consume more than 315 gallons of water per bed every day and an average US hospital consumes 103.600 Btu of natural gas per square foot annually.

In a typical healthcare centre, lighting, water heating and space heating account for more than 65% of the energy consumption.

It remains fundamental for the construction of healthcare facilities to involve incorporation of green designs and concepts into the process to reduce the impact on the environment, cut down operational costs and increase energy efficiency.

Initiatives to achieve safety

Energy-efficient lighting systems and medical equipment and use of tech-enhanced renewable energy systems.

Daylight exposure and natural ventilation into the environment.

Efficient ways of reducing the air content of toxins and contaminants across all corners of the building.

Capture rainwater from the roof and use it to irrigate the landscaping, a measure, would save 180,000 gallons of drinkable water every year. In addition, the collected rainwater will also be used to operate cooling towers which the hospital uses for their air conditioning system.

Use of high-efficiency windows, super insulated roofs, use of sensors which automatically turn the lights off or on in a room depending on whether it is occupied.

The patient rooms have been redesigned to allow more exposure to natural light and ventilation.

use of non-toxic cleaning chemicals and microfiber mops, discontinuation of use of mercury-containing solutions and medical devices, and use of paper products made from recycled material.

recycling program for lab chemical wastes of toxic solutions, as well as for paper, plastic waste, light bulbs, batteries, and cardboard.

Benefits and Returns

The World Green Building Council groups the benefits of green buildings into three – environmental, economic, and social benefits.

 “Green star certification” by the Green Building Council of Australia led to a 62% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared with the average Australian building.

On a global level, green buildings will save as much as 84 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050.

Benefits include cost savings on utility bills, lower costs of construction, a higher property value for estate developers, and job creation.

Building owners note, as reported in a report by Dodge Data & Analytics, that green buildings – whether newly constructed or renovated – created a 7 percent increase in asset value compared to traditional buildings.

Socially, the green building offers a number of benefits to occupants. Studies have shown that workers in green buildings reported a 101 percent improvement in cognitive scores.

To Achieve this define projects

Achieve a paradigm shift to building green hospitals.

Developed the business as well as the engineering methods.

Provide information on the different tools and resources that to access and the initiatives that Hospitals can join as part of the transformative process they are starting.

Education and engagement of people who work in the sector is integral to success.

Training program seeks to offer technical assistance to the government fulfilling its decarbonization commitments under the Health Program.

Binding agreements between the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and Health Care.

Memorandum of understanding to carry out projects that will allow estimating the climate footprint of the national health system at the facility level.

Such project focused on three main pillars

The identification of a representative sample of hospitals and health centres of the health system

Training the teams of those establishments to use the Climate Impact Checkup tool developed by Health Care Without Harm

Technical support so that the establishments that make up the sample can determine the size and composition of their climate footprint.

From data to realization

With the analysis of the data obtained from this exercise, an estimate was made of greenhouse gas emissions from the health sector at the national level.

Based on these findings, a series of specific recommendations will be prepared, which will serve as input for the process of preparing the Comprehensive Sectoral Climate Change Management Plan for the health sector.

More than 50 countries from different regions have committed to developing climate-resilient, sustainable and low-carbon health systems.

Work is underway to design a schedule of activities and advance the implementation of the project to transform hospitals into environmentally friendly.

It is becoming evident day after day how great is the process of transforming hospitals into green buildings and how common this has become around the world after everyone noticed its human and material importance on health institutions, individuals and the entire world.

Here as well the full article by Hospitals Magazin: Green Hospitals – Treating the sick and protecting the healthy

https://hospitalsmagazine.com/green-hospitals-2/

Cutting-edge technologies can play a huge role in transforming the healthcare sector and the robotic-assisted surgery market is predicted to grow to over $14 billion by 2026, up from just over $10 billion in 2023.

Robots are rapidly changing the way we live and work. Whether helping us navigate dangerous terrains or supporting farming efforts, programmable machines are transforming many industries and healthcare is no exception. In fact, the medical industry has been something of a leading light in this area, with forms of robotics being used by doctors for over three decades.

Robots have great potential to address important unmet needs, such as delivering a better healthcare experience for patients through minimally invasive procedures and ensuring consistent, high-quality care with precision tasks.

They can also increase accessibility to specialized treatments, even in remote areas, through telemedicine and robotic-assisted interventions.

And as disruptive forces such as the COVID-19 pandemic have put a strain on the industry in recent years, cutting-edge technologies can play a huge role in relieving some of the pressure, says the World Economic Forum’s Global Health and Healthcare report. Through some incredible innovations, new life-saving techniques are being developed and the patient experience is being improved.

Here are some ways how robotics is transforming the medical industry.

Speeding up diagnoses

By their very nature, hospital emergency rooms require fast decision-making so that medical staff can prioritize patients with the most pressing needs.

Could robots help speed up diagnosis?

The University of York in the UK is investigating how AI software and robotics could be used to reduce patient waiting times, as well as pressure on doctors and nurses. A research team is developing a prototype – called the Diagnostic AI System for Robot-Assisted A&E Triage (DAISY) – which would collect patient data, such as the presenting symptoms and vital signs of the patient.

The  first step is establishing whether patients will accept such an intervention, before they go ahead and test the prototype in a hospital setting.

Elsewhere, robotics are being developed to more quickly diagnose lung cancer. Intuitive has developed Ion, an innovative robotic-assisted platform that aims to enable minimally invasive biopsies that could become a key part of early diagnosis.

Surgical precision

A number of high-tech surgery solutions are giving the term ‘operating system’ new meaning.

Systems such as the da Vinci System and Stryker’s Mako robotic arm assisted surgery system are supporting doctors completing invasive surgeries and joint replacements.

In the UK, a seven-year-old boy has been treated for a kidney condition using a groundbreaking robot-assisted device. The Versius Surgical Robotic System aims to give patients quicker recovery times and less post-operative pain.

Many other new tools and techniques are being developed, with the robotic-assisted surgery market predicted to grow to over $14 billion by 2026, up from just over $10 billion in 2023, reports Oliver Wyman.

Reimagining mobility

While robotics can help healthcare professionals diagnose and treat health conditions as they emerge, they are also helping individuals experiencing pre-diagnosed conditions improve their quality of life.

Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kevin Piette – who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident over a decade before – used an exoskeleton to walk through the streets of the French capital as he carried the Olympic flame. Developed by Wandercraft, the Atalante X is described as “the first and only self-stabilizing exoskeleton”.

Yrobot meanwhile is a cutting-edge wearable robotics company founded by PhDs and masters from Harvard and MIT, aiming to restore and enhance wearers’ mobility with robotics. Different from traditional exoskeletons that assist wearers by supporting their body weight, Yrobot developed the world’s first muscle armor which is more flexible, lighter, and smarter.

Researchers have also managed to connect robotic limbs to the nervous system of a wearer in a breakthrough they hope will improve the comfort and reliability of prostheses. The patient – a Swedish woman who lost her arm in a farming accident and who had been experiencing phantom limb pain – said the procedure had given her “a better life”.

Wearable robotics are also bridging into more commercial spaces. Outdoor apparel company Arc’teryx – in collaboration with Skip, a business set up by former Google employees – has developed powered hiking trousers that can aid users with mobility issues.

Remote possibilities

Robotics are also being used to drive advancements in telemedicine – the remote care of patients. Boston-based start-up Perceptive claims to have completed the first fully robotic dental procedure using fully automated dental technologies, including AI analysis of data as well as robotic arms and tools.

Elsewhere, a remote-controlled, swallowable robot has been developed to help doctors perform remote endoscopies. The PillBot, developed by Endiatx, is intended to allow patients to interact with gastroenterologists from the comfort of their own home.

Rehab with robots

The technology is also being applied to patient after-care. The National Robotarium partnered with the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology on a pilot study to develop socially assistive robots to support stroke and brain injury survivors through upper limb rehabilitation routines – which currently only 31% of patients complete.

The robot communicates with patients via a headset which detects neural activity. The signals are used to decipher what movement the patient is intending to complete; the robot can then give verbal motivation, demonstrate the move visually and feedback as the patient completes the required movement.

Enhancing training

As well as providing new ways to care for patients, robots are also being developed to support the training of new medical staff.

The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies has developed a humanoid robot named RIA. Students can engage in role-play training with the robot, which can be programmed to pretend it has a wide range of ailments.

RIA doesn’t get judgmental. She doesn’t get tired. She doesn’t check her smartphone, so she’s able to conduct these role plays continuously, effortlessly, over and over again.

Using AI and robotics, RIA can provide human-like emotional reactions – helping doctors prepare for real-life patient interactions.

Here the link to the full World Economic Forum Article:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/09/robots-medical-industry-healthcare

Hospital systems often encounter unintended compliance risks despite their commitment to following HIPAA regulations. Improving patient care and driving business growth through the use of data analytics are worthy goals, but when tools to support these goals are inadvertently misused, unexpected violations may result.

Good intentions offer little protection from an allegation of improperly obtaining or sharing data, highlighting the need for vigilant compliance measures to avoid costly mistakes.

Elevate care experiences while attracting and retaining patients

most hospitals rely on data-driven insights to drive success. Failing to leverage actionable intelligence could affect an organization’s ability to provide personalized care and meet public health needs, making it difficult to remain competitive.

The solution  

responsible procurement and handling of data and digital marketing insights by hospitals – can generate useful information to improve patient wellness and operational efficiency without compromising compliance.

Access to internal healthcare data can improve patient outcomes

According to a Society of Actuaries survey, 60% of healthcare executives use healthcare data analytics in their organizations. Of those respondents, well over half have noticed positive differences in patient experiences and cost savings, 42% reported improved satisfaction and 39% lowered their expenditures.

Data-driven intelligence enables the creation of treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs.

The collected insights can also help to optimize digital workflows, which reduces hospital wait times and administrative workloads.

With data analytics offering significant advantages in both patient care and operational efficiency, health centres must be able to leverage this information with confidence and in full compliance with regulations.

From the outset, it’s vital to collaborate with an analytics team that possesses a deep understanding of both data utilization and compliance with HIPAA, which limits the release of a patient’s protected health information without authorization.

Anonymizing data is another useful practice to ensure that any information collected cannot be linked to individuals.

Digital marketing data supports hospital growth and service

Digital analytics data offers a wealth of intelligence that can be used to enhance patient experiences and improve care delivery. With 80% of consumers turning to the internet for health-related research and nearly two-thirds selecting a healthcare provider based on their online presence, implementing strong digital strategies is essential for organizations to draw in and retain patients.

By analysing online behaviour and patient interactions, hospitals can identify pain points, streamline processes, and create engaging experiences.

This approach informs design and functionality enhancements, optimizes online resources, and refines customer service programs, ensuring patients and families can easily find the information and support they need.

When implementing marketing strategies that involve sharing data with analytics vendors, organizations can protect against incidents by partnering only with tracking technology vendors that sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA).

This safeguards against unapproved disclosures of protected health information (PHI) and maintains the privacy and security of sensitive personal information.

Consistent HIPAA compliance begins with education

One of the main contributors to improper data usage is a lack of understanding about what HIPAA requires. To eliminate any confusion and make the consequences of non-compliance clear, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued guidance on the use of website tracking technology.

The entity’s bulletin, released June 20, outlines the fundamentals of tracking technologies, their applications, and the necessary measures for organizations subject to HIPAA regulations to protect electronic PHI when utilizing these technologies.

When alerted to the potential risks of improper online tracking, hospitals often instinctively halt all data collection, but this drastic measure is unnecessary. By doing so, they would forfeit valuable insights that could enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

Instead, healthcare systems should seek out analytics companies willing to sign a BAA, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations. While not all companies will agree to this, those that do can provide guidance on implementing tracking tools in a responsible and compliant manner.

Balancing HIPAA compliance with effective data collection and usage is not only possible, it’s essential for modern healthcare organizations and the people who depend on them.

Education on the nuances of HIPAA and recent guidance from HHS will enable hospital systems to confidently collect and appropriately use patient data to enhance care delivery from the ground up.

Here the link to the full MedCityNews Article:

https://medcitynews.com/2024/09/personalize-patient-care-with-confidence-through-efficient-hipaa-compliant-data-usage/

In recent years, providers have been increasingly conducting tech pilots to see which solutions can best improve their clinical and operation success.
They have been scaling up their tech and IT spend in recent years, increasingly conducting tech pilots to see which solutions can best improve their enterprise’s clinical and operation success.

4 Things Startups Must Know to Achieve a Successful Tech Pilot

Ask providers how you can be their partner

Physicians and other providers want to do better, and patients need a lot more.
How can we fill that gap? The answer is to be with the patient 24/7 when the patient is not with the provider. That value prop is an easy sell to providers because that is something that they’re looking for.

This is a complement to traditional providers’ care delivery models, so it pivoted to a provider partner model in addition to its core direct-to-consumer model.

Such startup employs a holistic approach to e.g. women’s health management which is an approach that most traditional providers simply don’t have the time or resources to employ.

Quickly expanding to a business model that includes tech pilots with traditional providers is a smart decision, a decision that more direct-to-consumer startups should consider.

Demonstrate a solid integration plan

When a hospital is thinking about beginning a tech pilot with a vendor, it really wants to know that the vendor is capable of understanding the various technological intricacies of the hospital’s existing technology and operations systems.

You have to have the ability to have a conversation with just about any large enterprise health system because you are essentially fully integrated into EHRs (sometimes five at the time). If You knew how to do it like the back of our hand than you understand the challenges of working with many different internal organizations to get an implementation done.

Having this type of expertise is extremely attractive to health system customers.

Have some humility

Tech pilots tend to have the best outcomes when the hospital and vendor agree that the pilot is the first step toward a bigger deployment in the future.

If you do a pilot for pilot’s sake, just for marketing or to show to the investors, then you do the pilot, and it’s done. There’s nothing else after that. The goal should be scalable transformation.

With this goal in mind, startups should approach their partnerships with humility.

Instead of telling hospitals how great the product is and how much they need to buy it, vendors should try to work with hospitals to understand their specific pain points.
That way, the vendor and the hospitals can work together to modify the product so it can best address the organization’s unique needs.

Make sure that the AI is really good

Over the past few years, it seems like every digital health startup is promoting its AI capabilities, however, it’s unclear if all these startups are truly using AI to make a difference in healthcare.

AI isn’t the glorious buzzword that some startup founders may think it is. When you try to sell a provider an AI solution, you’re introducing them to a new layer of risk.
That means that the startup will need to have some AI experts on its team that can define that risk to providers and help them mitigate it.
This is an important consideration for startups to think about.

AI isn’t just a buzzword, so if you’re going to make it a key part of your value proposition, do so carefully.

If you are interested deeper please have a look at the full article of MedCity News’ INVEST Digital Health conference in Dallas where healthcare leaders shared their insight on how startups can best serve their provider partners during these pilots.

https://medcitynews.com/2024/09/healthcare-technology-startup/

First magnetic teleendoscopy from a distance of 9,300 km

Researchers from ETH Zurich and the Chinese University of Hong Kong have succeeded for the first time in Zurich in carrying out a magnetic endoscopy using remote control on a live pig in Hong Kong. The technology could enable better surgical care in remote areas in the future – especially for procedures for which local expertise is not available.

The endoscope is controlled with the joystick of a Playstation controller.

There are over 9,300 kilometers between the operating room in Hong Kong and the room in Zurich from which Alexandre Mesot controls the endoscope at three in the morning. Mesot is a doctoral student in ETH Professor Bradley Nelson’s Multi-Scale Robotics Lab. He looks at a screen with live images of the operation and moves the joystick on a Playstation controller.

Ultra low latency

With a delay of only around 300 milliseconds, a four-millimeter-thin probe passes through the stomach of a live but anesthetized pig in the operating room in Hong Kong. Mesot uses a camera to examine the animal’s stomach wall and takes tissue samples with a tiny gripper arm. The procedure is the first remote-controlled magnetic endoscopy. The details were published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems.

Two things were crucial for this breakthrough to succeed

A magnetic navigation system with a magnetically controllable endoscope developed at ETH Zurich and a secure and fast internet connection to the operating room.

The endoscope is controlled with the joystick of a Playstation controller.

(Image: The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Magnetic endoscopies are less stressful

The remote-controlled procedure was accompanied and monitored in the operating room by surgeons from the Faculty of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

They inserted the magnetic endoscope through the mouth into the pig’s stomach. Before Mesot could take over the navigation of the probe in Zurich, it was tested in the operating room by a team from the Multi-Scale Robotics Lab and by the Hong Kong surgeons.

The endoscope is controlled via a magnetic field generated by Navion, a surgical navigation system developed by ETH Professor Bradley Nelson and his team. “Thanks to a magnetic head, the endoscope can not only be bent in all directions, it is also smaller and easier to control than conventional devices,” explains Mesot.

Endoscope Mobility

The magnetic head makes the endoscope particularly mobile.

Due to the great mobility of the magnetic endoscope, ETH researcher Mesot was able to easily carry out a so-called retroflexion in the animal’s stomach.

After entering the stomach cavity, the endoscope is bent backwards 180 degrees to inspect the stomach entrance. This complex procedure shows that magnetic endoscopes can be navigated from a distance at least as flexibly as standard devices.

In addition, the smaller endoscope can also be inserted into people through the nose, rather than through the mouth, as is common in traditional endoscopies. This is less stressful because patients do not need to be fully sedated and are awake and able to provide feedback during the procedure.

The magnetic endoscope is also potentially suitable for use in children where conventional probes are too large.

Teleoperated endoscopy offers many possibilities

In the next step of the research there is hope to perform a teleendoscopy on the human stomach. There is a lot of potential in this technology, for example for minimally invasive interventions in the gastrointestinal tract, such as cancer screening examinations.

Teleoperated endoscopy can be used not only for surgical training but also for diagnostic and surgical care in remote areas, especially when there is a lack of local expertise.

Remotely, trained nurses could even be instructed to perform the procedures.

Here you could find the full German Article by DeviceMed.de:

https://www.devicemed.de/fernsteuerung-magnetische-endoskopie-durchbruch-chirurgie-a-b79e0db903037ef6c550ad798c892a1f