Four technologies that are about to change the healthcare industry

Four technologies that are about to change the healthcare industry by Amber Rolfe Technological advancements are key in any industry, and healthcare is no different…From fitness trackers and smart watches, through to portable analysis and diagnostics, modern technology is already helping millions of people around the world live healthier, happier lives. And if you’re one of those who want to track their health on their own terms, it doesn’t stop there.To inspire you to become a part of this growing industry, here are four technologies that are about to change the healthcare industry:RoboticsWhy it’s being used: increased mobility, speed, and efficiency â€" and less time wasted on medial tasks.The end result: driverless ambulances, portable diagnostics, robotic transportation devices.With thousands of people needing urgent care in hard-to-reach areas, this advanced form of technology is in high demand.From driverless ambulances, to orderly robots that could transport medical equipment, diagnose illnesses, or even perform clinical proc edures â€" robotics could help to make life easier for both patients and healthcare professionals.So whether it’s used to transport medical equipment or organs, blood, or equipment, or to take control of ambulances so healthcare professionals can concentrate solely on the patient, the benefits of utilising this technology could be completely life-changing.  3D printingWhy it’s being used: low cost, widely accessible, and easy to personalise devices to the patients’ needs.The end result: prosthetic limbs, artificial cartilage, bone, heart valves, and synthetic skinThis revolutionary technology works by using a digital model (created by experts) and layers of material to produce a 3D product and it does it quickly, precisely, and at a reasonable cost.Healthcare experts have already utilised 3D printing to create skin for burn victims, 3D printed prosthetics such as fully functioning ears and limbs, and even airway splints for children with lung problems.With the current success es of this technology, the possibility of using 3D printing for internal organs is also becoming more and more likely, and will undoubtedly save lives by cutting out the wait time needed to search for a donor.  Wearable techWhy it’s being used: convenience, enhanced results, and accurate data analysis and tracking. The end result: electronic fingertip surgery, health trackers, smart watches, pain relief wearables. The healthcare industry is always advancing, and often in ways that involve the patient taking their care into their own hands with technology (and usually, their smartphones) to assist them.Examples include developments such as blood sugar monitoring contact lenses for people with diabetes, as well as smart watches that allow people to track and manage other diseases. And it’s not just healthcare specific technology that’s making a difference â€" devices like fitness trackers are currently being used as more than just a step counter.With tracking incentives being in troduced in schools and workplaces around the world to boost health and mobility, alongside additional features such as heart rate and blood pressure monitoring, your own health is becoming even easier to control â€" wherever you are.Surgeons could also benefit from a different form of wearable technology, which allows them to heal with their fingertips. Using silicon based electronics and sensors, these surgical gloves could sense and remove tissue just by touching it, completely revolutionising the way surgeons operate.  Smart pillsWhy it’s being used: ensures medication is being taken correctly, and makes medical procedures easier, less invasive, and more convenient. The end result: medical procedures and diagnostics in pill form (AKA PillCam), smart prescription medicine. Soon, taking a pill could do much more than relieve pain or treat an illness.The healthcare industry are currently looking into a new sensor technology which allows patients to track their prescription dosage and increase the likelihood of its effectiveness.The tiny sensor is ingested with the pill form of a drug, and works with a wearable patch to transmit signals to a smartphone app.This technology could also be used to replace medical procedures like colonoscopies and endoscopies, as specialist smart pills are being developed to be able to carry out a full examination of the patient’s insides (with photos), and could detect and diagnose a range of illnesses â€" in a less invasive way.  Looking to start a career in healthcare? 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