The steady march of technology has had an indelible impact on the field of medicine. Breakthroughs in areas such as medical procedures, equipment, data collection and treatments continually improve patient outcomes and provide a better quality of life.

Pranay Reddy, MD, medical resident of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, describes the impact of technology on the medical field, discussing how advanced materials and procedures are changing medicine today.

Treatments

Thanks to medical technology, drugs and other forms of treatment like vaccines are constantly advancing. Having the ability to develop new drugs based on a person’s genetic code opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for treating and curing disease. New drugs are produced daily for approval around the world.

One of the most influential medical developments of recent years is the SARS-COV-2 vaccine which helps prevent Covid. Vaccines have dramatically reduced the death rate where they are publicly available, and they have been developed at an extremely rapid pace.

Other developments that have come to the fore include the practice of gene editing or CRISPR, used to treat serious conditions like sickle cell disease, new methods of treating heart disease, and numerous advances in cancer treatment. .

3D printing

3D printing has been very influential in the medical world. The 3D printing process consists of creating a digital model of the item intended for reproduction. The model is then replicated using a process called additive manufacturing.

From the printing of small objects useful in surgery to experimental practices of printing skin and organs, this type of technology has improved the quality of life of patients.

Other applications of 3D printing in medicine include advances in surgical techniques, inexpensive production of surgical tools, and new developments in creating prosthetic limbs.

Data gathering

The smartphone and the smartwatch are making impressive progress in the medical field. With these devices, doctors can easily collect medical data from their patients at home, wherever they feel comfortable. This type of data collection works well for chronic diseases such as cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions, while helping patients track their overall health and fitness.

In addition to personal patient devices, many wearable and wearable devices have been developed specifically for the medical field. These devices include implantable trackers that can temporarily track patients’ heart rates and advanced glucose monitors.

medical imaging

Many innovations in medical imaging have taken place over the past ten years. Medical imaging is becoming less and less invasive and more and more mobile. This means that doctors can perform certain tests like ultrasound using only a portable device connected to a smartphone.

Tests like MRIs, CT scans and others have advanced and produced more accurate results. The rise of 3D imaging technology is helping doctors fully visualize the site of surgeries, understand how organs, like the heart, work, and better inform patients about their condition.

big data

With new methods of digitization and data collection, a massive influx of information has come that needs to be analyzed and stored. Big data and machine algorithms are having a significant impact on the medical community.

Using computerized analysis of health data, artificial intelligence systems can make human-like judgments in a much shorter amount of time by visualizing evidence and making connections. This is particularly useful in the treatment of cancer and other systemic diseases.

Symptom and disease research

According to Pranay Reddy MD, the mechanisms of disease are much better understood today than they have been at any time in the past. Physicians and scientists are continually innovating to understand the most catastrophic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

Doctors are beginning to better understand the genetic and environmental triggers that cause disease, as well as the consequences for the body as a whole. This means they can intervene at earlier stages and achieve better treatment results. Their ability to understand how diseases work saves lives.

assistive technology

Many exciting developments have also taken place in the area of ​​assistive technologies. Assistive technology is intended to help patients with disabilities cope with everyday challenges. Mobility aids, hearing aids, cognitive aids as well as computer hardware and software have developed strongly.

The march of medical technology

Pranay Reddy MD emphasizes the importance of advancing medical technology. It will be easier to treat trauma victims and people with dangerous diseases in the future. With new tools like gene editing, advanced vaccine development, 3D printing and assistive technology, doctors will improve the quality of life for all patients.

Pranay Reddy MD believes that all patients and physicians should stay current with the latest developments in medicine. Patients may want to research the hospitals where their illnesses are treated to ensure the procedures and equipment are state of the art.