The number one emerging technology in the med tech industry involves organization planning. New floor plans, management allocation and software applications are at the forefront of advancements in the field. Countries all over the world are trying to reduce their medical budgets by the billions every year.
There are a few new devices hitting the market that will aid the med tech industry. Some of these innovations are still in the design phase, but the future of medical technology is looking bright.
Micro- and Nanobots
These miniaturized robots have been the work of science fiction for years, but now they are just around the corner. An article in nanowerk explains how these micro-robots will be able to administer drugs on demand. Imagine an area of the body that needs to receive treatment quickly. The nanobots can be injected into the system and maneuvered to the correct location using magnetic manipulation. When the robot gets to its desired area, a very small laser can be shot into the body to heat up the robot. When it reaches 40 degrees Celsius, it opens up and releases the required drug. This may seem like a lot of work, but over time, these micro-robots can be administered and stored in the body for years to come, and then be activated as needed.
Deep Brain Stimulation Systems
Over the last decade, deep neurological implants have grown in popularity. As researchers continue to solve the mysteries behind the multi-layered brain, they find more possibilities to fix those areas that grow weak over time. This year, St. Jude Medical, Inc. received the European CE Mark of approval for several of its brain stimulators that help to manage the symptoms of dystonia. This is just the beginning, as other researchers are looking at similar devices to help with depression, pain and Parkinson's disease.
Surgical Robots
There have been several lawsuits against a robotic surgical giant, and every one has been won. People are concerned about the morality of the issue and fear having a nonhuman work on them, but the reality is that they work. An open-source robot, the Raven II, is already being used at John Hopkins University, Harvard University and UC-Berkley.
There are big changes coming in the med tech world, and most relate to robots, nanotechnology or both. Several companies are looking to create new emerging technology for the medical field, and many are succeeding.
