The future of healthcare technology will change the way people receive medical treatment as well as how they are examined, diagnosed and more. There have been technologies that until recently were only able to be used at a hospital or a physician’s office. Advancements in technology have made many of these new healthcare technologies available when a patient and physician are a good distance from one another.
Sensors
There are a variety of new sensors that make it possible for individuals to measure their health parameters. This can provide insight into a person’s quality of sleep, exercise habits as well as stress levels, heart function and more. There are even sensors that can measure a person’s brain activity after they’ve taken certain medications. The size of a sensor is expected to decrease. They will eventually be small enough to be in a person’s bloodstream as well as go to specific areas of a body to release medication and more.
Complicated Medical Procedures Made Easy
No matter how well trained, a physician will have to deal with emotions as well as exhaustion, illness and more. There are now robots designed to do everything from detecting where a vein is on a patient to assisting with surgery. A robotic device will not be affected by problems in its personal life, sleepless nights and more. This will increase the safety of complicated medical procedures. Medical professionals will be able to perform their tasks with increased precision.
Big Data
Technology continues to improve the amount of health data that can be collected on a patient as well as the types of data collected. This information can be used when making important decisions regarding a person’s medical care.There are wearables that can record a person’s sleep patterns, vital statistics, reaction to exercise and more. This information can be used to detect patterns and help design a more healthy lifestyle. People will be able to receive more accurate diagnostics concerning their health.
Universal Translator
Many times language is a problem when it comes to providing someone with healthcare. There is now technology available that can provide a universal translator. This makes it possible for real-world translations using electronic devices in remote areas around the world. The ability to translate into any language will make it possible for patients to be treated from physicians on a global scale.
3D Printed Biological Materials
There are many situations requiring the development of skin. These are individuals who are burn victims, experience skin disease and other skin damage. There are now 3D printers being developed to meet these needs. A company has successfully been able to print sheets of cardiac tissue as well as blood vessels. What they create is able to act like actual human tissue.
Optogenetics
Successful experiments have been done by neuroscientists who targeted a single neuron in a mouse’s brain by exposing it to light. This was accomplished by inserting a light activated gene in the genome of a mouse. This technology may make it possible to determine the area of the brain were a neuron is working. It is technology that could make it easier to learn how a person is able to create emotions, thoughts as well as behaviors.
Digestible Sensors
This is technology approved for use in 2011 and continues to be developed. These sensors are designed to be swallowed by a person. It can then transmit information about a patient’s body directly to a medical professional. This helps a physician know if medication is working as well as determine if something is wrong and a number of other things. It is believed swallowing a digestible sensor could give a physician the same amount of information on a patient as when a physician sees them in their office.
Conclusion
The use and development of technology in the world of healthcare will continue to improve the lives of patients. Procedures once considered difficult will become more common and routine. The various medical treatments necessary to cure diseases or monitor patients will be more accurate. This could result in more patients in remote areas around the world benefiting from having increased access to modern healthcare.
