Medical Design Briefs - February 2024 - 12

Emerging Trends
tegral in enhancing surgical accuracy
and reducing learning curves for surgical
residents.
" VR's role in surgical training will be
augmented by AI to provide dynamic,
responsive simulations, " he says. " Platforms
like Osso VR will become integral
in surgical education, offering a riskfree,
immersive learning environment.
Implementing these VR training modules
can significantly reduce the learning
curve for surgical residents. "
In rehabilitation robotics, AI-driven
adaptive
algorithms
will personalize
therapy regimens. Devices like the ReWalk
exoskeleton use AI to adjust to patient's
mobility levels, offering tailored
rehabilitation. Healthcare facilities specializing
in physical therapy should consider
these technologies for enhanced
patient recovery outcomes.
FDA-cleared ECG functions in devices like the Apple Watch exemplifies the integration of technology in remote
patient monitoring programs. (Credit: DenPhoto/AdobeStock)
large datasets to identify health trends,
predict outbreaks, and allocate resources
efficiently. They are instrumental in
proactive health management, targeting
interventions to high-risk groups, and reducing
the incidence of chronic diseases.
He says healthcare will see a growing
role of machine learning in precision medicine,
particularly in oncology and chronic
disease management. Technologies like
Flatiron Health's oncology platform, he
says, use machine learning to analyze clinical
and molecular data, tailoring cancer
treatments to individual genetic profiles.
The transformative potential of technologies
like AI, Hill says, are exemplified
by products like the OXOS Micro
C. " This handheld x-ray imaging device,
empowered by AI, brings advanced technology
directly to the point of care, offering
impressive sharpness, clarity, and
a low radiation profile. Innovations like
OXOS' have the potential to democratize
access to life-saving care worldwide
and enhance workplace safety for healthcare
professionals. "
Wearables and Telemedicine:
Improving Patient Care
Wearables and telemedicine stand at
the forefront of innovations in patient
care. Lohman anticipates advanced biosensing
technologies combined with
AI-driven analytics in wearables. The
incorporation of FDA-cleared ECG func12
tions
in devices like the Apple Watch exemplifies
the integration of technology
in remote patient monitoring programs.
In the next 12 months, the adoption
of AI-driven telemedicine and mobile
health applications is expected to reshape
patient-provider interactions.
Natural language processing and machine
learning will play pivotal roles in
symptom triage and the development of
personalized health plans, says Lohman.
Hill adds that advancements in telemedicine,
personalized health technologies,
and the use of AI in streamlining
efficiency and prioritizing patient care.
Robotics, AR, and VR: Redefining
Healthcare Procedures
The integration of AI algorithms into
robotic-assisted surgery is enhancing
precision and decision-making. Technologies
like the da Vinci Surgical System
enable data-driven, patient-specific
surgical planning, reducing recovery
times and enhancing outcomes. In rehabilitation
robotics, AI-driven adaptive
algorithms are personalizing therapy
regimens, exemplified by devices like
the ReWalk exoskeleton.
Lohman sees the role of AR and
VR, augmented by AI, transitioning
from nascent technologies to essential
tools in surgical planning and training.
AR-assisted navigation systems and VR
training modules are set to become inwww.medicaldesignbriefs.com
The
role of robotics in healthcare is expanding
rapidly, with AI algorithms driving
surgical precision and decision-making.
Schillgalies emphasizes the significance
of sensors in providing critical data for robotic
systems, particularly in surgery. The
integration of sensors into medical robots
extends to telesurgery, where remote control
of equipment is enabled through telecommunications
systems.
The increasing use of robotic-assisted
procedures, as well as the potential
role of generalized humanoid robots,
signifies a broader impact of robotics
in healthcare, says Hill.
The Impact of 3D Printing on
Healthcare
The focus on personalization in applications
like craniomaxillofacial, orthopedic
oncology, and spinal fusion surgeries
positions 3D printing as a transformative
force. Dr. Gautam Gupta, senior vice
president and general manager for medical
devices at 3D Systems anticipates the
acceleration of additive manufacturing's
adoption in medical devices. The surge
in popularity of ambulatory surgical
centers (ASCs) further underscores the
potential for increased adoption of 3D
printing by medical device OEMs.
" ASCs typically have a much leaner
operating cost model, so they can offer
surgeries at significantly reduced costs
to the patients, " says Dr. Gupta. " Since
these are smaller footprint centers, thus
present in larger numbers with cities,
they can also cater to a much larger patient
population with greater flexibility
Medical Design Briefs, February 2024

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Medical Design Briefs - February 2024

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