12 Medical Technology Innovations Likely To Transform Health Care In 2017

2016 saw an increase in the adoption of medical technology innovations aimed at tackling some of the most intractable health care challenges. This blog shares some of the top innovations that we believe will have the greatest impact on the continued transformation of health care.

1.       3D printing is poised to make a big impact in 2017 – and is expected to be worth $1.2 billion by 2020. The first 3D-printed prescription drug received FDA approval in 2015 and medical devices made from 3D printing now include instruments used for surgery or devices implanted into patients. End-use parts, like surgical tools and device implants, will become more common in 2017 as sophisticated metal materials for 3D printing are refined and gain approval for human contact. By 2019, 3D printing is expected to be a central tool in roughly one-third of surgical procedures involving prosthetic and implanted devices.

2.       Increased use of 3D visualization and augmented reality for surgery – In 2016, two of the most intricate surgical practices, ophthalmology and neurology, began experimenting with 3D visual representations of their patients enabling them to operate more effectively and efficiently while also giving medical trainees a clear picture of what they’re doing. Augmented reality glasses that display holographic images of human anatomy could also bring the end of cadaver labs at medical schools. Meanwhile virtual reality is also being used to accelerate behavior change in patients in a way that is safer, more convenient, and more accessible.

3.       Artificial intelligence (AI), predictive analysis, and machine learning are developing in new areas – AI is starting to demonstrate the kind of impact it can have in medicine from accurately interpreting patient records including pathology slides, x-rays, skin lesions, and scientific literature. These highly advanced AI systems are capable of employing deep learning algorithms to sort through massive amounts of structured and unstructured data to automatically detect, diagnose, and suggest treatment regimes for medical conditions. There are numerous start-up companies working on AI applications in health care, with the engagement of the major technology companies who have all made major investments in this space. A recent 60 Minutes news segment suggested that AI could find an evidence-based therapy for 30 percent of patients with cancer that was not identified by their oncologists.

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Author: Karen Taylor