Medicine is, of course, advancing all the time, so much so that there are almost too many areas to discuss. One of the most exciting fields to see substantial innovation in the last decade, though, is medical diagnostics.
Naturally, diagnostics are one of the most crucial components of any medical workup, as they’re very much the foundation for everything else. The area has seen huge technological leaps recently – from the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) to sophisticated image reconstruction – and in this article, you’ll learn the exciting new prospects these and other technologies bring to the table.
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Artificial Intelligence in Radiology
Artificial intelligence gets something of a bad rap in the media given the public perception of it as having an intrusive, almost Orwellian nature, but in the medical field, it’s saving lives.
Modern CT scanners, such as the Canon Aquilion line, can now be fitted to make use of AI and deep learning algorithms to make diagnosis faster and more accurate. The machines are able to draw from a highly specified global database to cross-reference imaging and reconstruct with a greater degree of specificity, making for sharper final images and a greater chance of spotting anomalies. The technology also means less time for the patient in the scanner, which equates to a greatly reduced effective radiation dose.
More and more treatment centers are adopting this new technology – as are more manufacturers – and as such, the future looks very promising in this domain.
Advancements in Digital Pathology
Traditional pathology relies on the use of analog methods: viewing physical slides under the microscope, which is a very labor-intensive process with a steep learning curve. Today, digital pathology is propelling the process forward into something that has better accuracy and is more time-efficient.
Through the usage of advanced slide scanners, tissue samples can be taken and ‘digitized’ into high-resolution images, that can then be viewed on a monitor with ease and stored away safely.
This process also allows for an unprecedented level of collaboration across the globe, allowing data sets to be shared between multiple treatment centers with ease for a faster diagnosis.
Many laboratories around the world are embracing the new technology, significantly evolving not only patient care but the groundbreaking research at the forefront of treatment.
Wearable Diagnostic Devices
Wearable medical technology has been around for some time, but only recently has there been a significant leap forward. The biosensors within smartwatches have now reached a level where they have tangible real-world value in their abilities to markedly improve public health, with features to measure heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and glucose levels now approaching the quality of industry-grade equipment.
As the years go by, the tech is getting smaller and more comfortable, as well as more affordable, and therefore more accessible. In the next few years, it is anticipated that smartwatches and the like will have a significant impact on preventing illness and enhancing the efficacy and adherence to treatment plans.
Wrapping Up
The technologies listed above are only three of what is a growing field comprising many exciting developments. Medical processes and machinery are now far more than the sum of their parts; the future is bright, with many more exciting medical discoveries to come.