The healthcare industry is built upon and relies on technology. As technology develops and improves, so too do the services and treatments health care services can offer to patients.
In today’s modern world, technology influences and informs almost every aspect of our lives. We’re now at a point technologically that would never before have been thought possible, with new discoveries and inventions being made all the time. We’ve put together a list of three healthcare developments in 2022 that you need to know about it. Check it out below.
Advanced Medical Retractors
Medical retractors are surgical instruments that are used to hold back incisions or wounds during surgery, allowing for access to organs and tissue inside the body. They have existed in some form for centuries, used throughout history by doctors and health professionals to perform surgery.
June Medical’s Galaxy II is the perfect example of a modern-day medical retractor. It is self-retaining, meaning it can hold incisions open by itself. This frees up the surgeon to work with both hands and means there is no need for an assistant to present to hold the retractor open. The Galaxy II also comes with an in-built light attachment, allowing for greater visibility and accuracy during surgery. What’s more, the retractor is made of medical-grade single-use plastic. This means it is incredibly hygienic and can be discarded after use, saving time and resources that would otherwise be spent cleaning and sterilising equipment.
Wearable Tech
People living with lifelong conditions like diabetes often are responsible for managing their condition on their own. This can be highly disruptive to their lives and limit the things they can do and places they can go. However, modern technology has worked to help make this disease management process far simpler and more effective.
Previously, diabetes patients had to regularly check their blood sugar levels using what is known as the finger prick method. Now, through the use of wearable tech, this traditional method is fast becoming obsolete. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems make use of a small sensor placed under the skin. This sensor constantly reviews the body’s blood glucose and sounds alert if the level gets too high or too low. This has proved revolutionary for people living with diabetes and has effectively automated this particular aspect of disease management.
3D Printing
3D printing is an emerging technology that allows for the printing of physical, three-dimensional objects from a digital source. We’re beginning to see some of the incredible opportunities this can offer the healthcare industry, and experts predict that 3D printing will change the face of healthcare as we know it. At the moment, 3D printing can be used to manufacture tools and instruments. However, experts predict that we can expect to see it used to create biological material in the very near future, including things like bones, blood vessels, and even organs.
Medical Imaging
Medical imaging solutions have become an integral part of modern healthcare. These solutions allow physicians and medical professionals to visualize internal structures of the human body, diagnose diseases, and monitor treatment progress. Advanced imaging technologies such as CT scans, MRI, and PET scans have revolutionized the way medical professionals approach patient care, providing more accurate and efficient diagnosis and treatment planning. Solutions from Novarad, for example, offer a wide range of medical imaging services, including radiology software, 3D imaging, PACS, etc. This leads to improved accuracy and efficiency in diagnosis, streamlined workflow and communication, enhanced patient care and experience, and cost-effective solutions for healthcare providers.
Technology improves our lives immeasurably. Health care, in particular, has benefited enormously from technology and will continue to do so for many years to come.
