Three top technologies taking healthcare by storm

Highlights

• The development and increased accessibility of medical technology has led to better clinical outcomes for patients
• mRNA technology has gained traction recently because of the new COVID-19 vaccinations
• The combination of techniques and tools that permit a direct link between technological elements and the neurological system is called neurotechnology
• Smartwatches are one of the most widespread wearable devices in the healthcare industry

Technology development in healthcare is a multistage process involving the invention, technical modification or evaluation of a new medical device, clinical procedure, or biological/chemical agent.

Earlier, health issues were addressed only when they had developed enough to cause trouble. But nowadays, the development and increased accessibility of medical technology has given patients a chance to treat diseases at their onset, leading to a higher chance of successful recovery.

In this article, we are going to discuss three major advancements in the medical technology sector.

mRNA technology

Image source: © Matthieuclouis | Megapixl.com

Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) is a single-stranded RNA involved in protein synthesis. It transports the genetic information that is obtained from DNA.

Recently, mRNA technology has gained attention because it is a component of the new Covid-19 vaccinations. mRNA vaccines function by giving cells the genetic information they need to build viral proteins, which the body can then use to mount an immunological defence.

These vaccines provide an alternative to the conventional vaccine strategy because of their high effectiveness, capacity for rapid development, and potential for low production costs.

Since almost any protein may be encoded by mRNA, the same fundamental technology might also enable the development of a wide range of treatments by inducing a drug-like reaction in the body. Numerous protein-based medications, such as antibodies produced outside the body, have shown to be very efficient and expensive. Therefore, by adopting mRNA technology, the time and cost of development could be reduced by making the human body responsible for protein production.

Neurotechnology

Neurotechnology refers to a combination of techniques and tools that permit a direct link between technological elements and the neurological system. Electrodes, computers, or intelligent prosthetics are examples of these technical components. They are intended to either "translate" brain signals into technical control orders by recording them, or to alter brain activity by delivering electrical or visual stimulation.

While it seems exciting from a therapeutic standpoint, neurotechnology is still up for debate. It raises concerns about privacy and data rights. While its potential uses are not yet fully understood, neurotechnology is anticipated to increase significantly in the global healthcare market over the next several years as neurological illnesses and conditions continue to be discovered and diagnosed.

Healthcare wearables

For improved care of patients with chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological problems, continuous and real-time monitoring is crucial. Thanks to the development of medical wearable technology, this is now conceivable to some extent.

Devices worn on the body or clothing are referred to as wearable devices. They are made up of a transducer and a target receptor. The target analyte (a chemical substance that is the subject of chemical analysis) is recognised by a receptor, which then reacts accordingly.

Smartwatches are one of the most widespread wearable devices in the healthcare industry, with major tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Samsung, all having a share in the smartwatch market. Smartwatches have the potential to record blood pressure, sleep patterns, electrocardiograms, and oxygen saturation, depending on the model of the watch.

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