Medical devices will become increasingly smarter and more precise – Health and Medicine

2024-04-05 06:31:17

In the treatment of cardiovascular health, the goal is to reduce interventions and make them minimally invasive.

Medical technology is essential to improve the treatment of health and well-being in all areas of medicine. The concept ranges from simple materials and tools like a thermometer to advanced devices like MRI scanners or cardiac pacemakers. Pau Lladó, director of operations at iVascular, a company dedicated to the development of medical technologies for the vascular system, affirms that there are various trends in medical technology that will converge in the future.

“We can anticipate the arrival of medical devices that are smarter and more connected, as well as more accurate and easier to use. These will be less invasive and we will see the introduction of biodegradable implants or devices that may be totally or partially reusable. These advances will be possible thanks to the application of materials with better biocompatibility, more resistant and lighter. Furthermore, progress in nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence will allow for much more precise and personalized diagnosis and treatment,” explains Lladó.

Trends in cardiovascular health

In the field of cardiovascular devices, the goal is to reduce surgical interventions and replace them with minimally invasive procedures, using devices ranging from a catheter to a robot. These will provide better assistance to the doctor before and during the procedure. In addition, there is progress towards more localized treatments, such as interventional oncology, where cancer can be treated precisely through catheters.

“These trends will promote a more efficient and faster recovery for patients. They will also have an impact on the end users of the devices, that is, doctors, as systems and equipment will be developed that will improve assistance in diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Such systems and equipment will probably be an integral part of the service offered with the sale of the products,” he explains.

The role of innovation

Innovation plays a decisive role, allowing a constant increase in the safety of devices, shortening patient recovery times and improving their clinical effectiveness. At the process level, it is essential to maintain competitiveness. “Without progress in this area it will be difficult to reduce production costs and compete with countries where labor is cheaper and is gaining ground in the market,” Lladó points out. In this sense, artificial intelligence is crucial. “There is no doubt that companies that want to remain competitive must invest in AI. It is not so much about the advantages that can be obtained, which are numerous, but about what we could lose if we do not do it. Our main competitors will not hesitate to apply it at all levels,” he concludes. At iVascular, for example, the use of AI is being explored to improve product research and development, optimize operational processes and, finally, in the clinical field, where a more precise interpretation of the results of clinical studies can be decisive . L.C.