Managing a health condition looks vastly different in this day and age. A person with limb-difference may secure a bionic prosthesis, or an elderly person might thrive longer at home thanks to cutting-edge durable medical equipment. Such advancements were the stuff of imagination until relatively recently, but now the future is here.
From innovative, at-home care solutions to artificial eyes, here is a look into some medical breakthroughs designed to promote patient independence.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
Modern advances in healthcare and technology have increased the average human lifespan. As the population ages, we must, in turn, live longer with disease or disability, age-related or not. The result is an increased need for at-home assistive equipment and adaptive devices, also referred to as durable medical equipment, or DME.
Relating to mobility support, respiratory care, infusion needs, and more, DME can facilitate care and safety while decreasing the need for caregiver assistance. It serves to maintain independence into old age and improve overall quality of life. Patients today can be supplied with blood sugar meters, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, nebulisers, and other devices in the comfort of their own homes.
3D-printed body parts
Synthetically created skin tissue, organs, and other parts of the body are no longer elements of science fiction. In recent years, scientists have been successful in producing them with 3D printing technology. While 3D printing is more commonly associated with manufacturing, prototypes, and consumer goods, it has amazing potential in healthcare.
A distinctive aspect of this is bioprinting. Utilised in medical procedures, such as organ transplants, this process produces living tissue, blood vessels, and even human cartilage. 3D printed models are also being used for training students and in the planning of complex neurosurgical procedures, spinal surgeries, and beyond. What’s more, these processes can generate patient-specific tissue and, as such, a more targeted, accurate, and personalised treatment can be delivered to those in need.
Bionic eyes
Another futuristic concept that has quickly picked up steam throughout the world is the creation of artificial eyes. In the U.S., a California-based company has developed a method involving the user’s glasses, a retinal implant, and a camera to transmit electrical messages wirelessly to the implant. While this bionic eye doesn’t fully restore normal vision, it does offer certain users an improvement in vision and even the ability to see colour.
Across the globe in Australia is another version. This design features a coiled antenna located on the back of the wearer’s head, which then transmits information from a camera into the brain, bypassing a wearer’s sightless eyes completely. As with the other option, this artificial eye won’t fully restore sight. However, it’s expected to restore vision to a point where blind people can experience more independence and improved function in their daily activities.
Pattern recognition control technology for limb prostheses
Artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and machine learning have been revolutionising practices throughout various industries. Medicine in particular has seen incredible innovations thanks to the power of these technologies, specifically in the operation and sophistication of limb prostheses.
Working in tandem with myoelectric technology control, engineers have been able to develop upper limb prosthetics that “learn” from the user’s unique and natural movements. These state-of-the-art systems utilise a high calibre of pattern recognition and adapt to the signals given by the wearer. The result is unprecedented intuitiveness with the ability to make prosthesis use more personally suited for a patient’s autonomous lifestyle.
Looking forward to what the future holds
These breakthroughs are only a sample of what’s in the works and what’s to come. As engineers, scientists, and healthcare experts continue to expand the world of medicine, we’ll see a healthier and more independent future for all.
For additional examples of medical advancements, please see the accompanying resource from Coapt Engineering.
