[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":1389},["ShallowReactive",2],{"category-nanotechnology":3},{"category":4,"posts":42,"featured":1387,"ebooks":1388},{"id":5,"count":6,"description":7,"link":8,"name":9,"slug":10,"taxonomy":11,"parent":12,"meta":13,"acf":14,"z_taxonomy_image_url":17,"yoast_meta":18,"taxonomy_image":17,"_links":21},507,9,"Nanometer-scale devices could soon swim in bodily fluids and live under the skin or even perform robotic surgery in the digestive system. These technologies could revolutionize treatment, interventions and nutrition and eventually make prevention and instant treatment of most diseases an everyday occurrence.","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fcategory\u002Fnanotechnology\u002F","Nanotechnology","nanotechnology","category",0,[],{"listing_order":15,"child_category_ids":16},"17",false,"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanotechnology_nanobots.jpg",{"yoast_wpseo_title":19,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":20},"Nanotechnology - The Medical Futurist","Find the latest nanotechnology in medicine articles from The Medical Futurist!",{"self":22,"collection":28,"about":31,"wp:post_type":34,"curies":37},[23],{"href":24,"targetHints":25},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories\u002F507",{"allow":26},[27],"GET",[29],{"href":30},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories",[32],{"href":33},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftaxonomies\u002Fcategory",[35],{"href":36},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts?categories=507",[38],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",true,[43,218,424,573,728,856,1019,1149,1274],{"id":44,"date":45,"date_gmt":46,"guid":47,"modified":49,"modified_gmt":50,"slug":51,"status":52,"type":53,"link":54,"title":55,"content":57,"excerpt":59,"author":61,"featured_media":62,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":66,"categories":67,"tags":70,"project_category":75,"contact_email_category":79,"yst_prominent_words":80,"class_list":90,"better_featured_image":107,"acf":150,"yoast_meta":167,"_links":169},53799,"2025-07-07T10:32:00","2025-07-07T08:32:00",{"rendered":48},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=53799&_wpnonce=4709dd64cd&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-07-07T10:32:01","2025-07-07T08:32:01","what-do-we-need-to-have-ai-equipped-nanobots-in-medicine","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-do-we-need-to-have-ai-equipped-nanobots-in-medicine",{"rendered":56},"What Do We Need To Have AI-Equipped Nanobots In Medicine",{"rendered":58,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>Disease, noun [archaic]: A historical term used to describe various physical and mental ailments that affected organisms, primarily humans, in an era before the advent of comprehensive nanomedical and genetic interventions. In the technologically primitive past, diseases were common causes of discomfort, dysfunction, and mortality, often requiring medical treatment and care. Modern advances and nanobots in medicine have rendered this term obsolete, as conditions previously classified as diseases are now either preventable or entirely curable at the molecular level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Are we on the brink of a brave new world where diseases are just thrilling concepts from ancient history? After all, we are living through an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-it-is-important-to-understand-multimodal-large-language-models-in-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AI revolution\u003C\u002Fa> and nanotechnology captures our imaginations, it’s a natural expectation that these two fields will converge. The integration of AI and nanotechnology is seen as the next frontier, promising a future where AI-powered nanobots operate at a molecular level, transforming everything from healthcare to material science. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If we wonder what such AI-powered nanobots could do for us, we find a list of mindblowing possibilities. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diseases are unknown, death is an archaic term \u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to sci-fi novels and sensationalist reporters, we’ll soon be living in an age where diseases will be a thing of the past with nanobots continuously monitoring the body’s internal environment for early signs of diseases, such as cancer, infections, or autoimmune disorders. They could detect anomalies at the cellular level long before symptoms manifest, allowing for early intervention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If our nanobots send an alert about cancerous cells, we’d have no reason to worry. Our doctor would quickly design the suiting drugs that nanobots administer directly to targeted areas, increasing treatment efficacy and minimizing side effects. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In this new world, nanobots could be programmed to repair genetic mutations or defects in situ, cure genetic diseases, or enhance physical or cognitive abilities. We would be offered neural enhancement: nanobots could interface with the nervous system, enhancing cognitive functions like memory, learning, and processing speed. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Aging would be obviously unknown: nanobots could repair or replace aged cells and tissues. They could also promote regeneration, healing injuries, and wounds at an accelerated rate. We would be in top shape as our nanoscale allies would be detoxifying our bodies, regulating metabolism, and helping in maintaining optimal body weight and nutrient balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And our stellar form would not only be physical: by monitoring and adjusting neurochemical levels, nanobots could help in managing mental health conditions like depression or anxiety, potentially providing alerts or interventions during mental health crises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the fact that if needed, nanobots could enhance our strength and endurance, or even provide capabilities like underwater breathing or enhanced sensory perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_386-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52741\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_386-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_386-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_386-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_386.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are we there yet? \u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nanomedicine is an innovative field where nanotechnology is applied to healthcare. It leverages the unique properties of materials at the nanoscale (10^-9 meters), which often exhibit different physical, chemical, or biological characteristics compared to the same materials at a larger scale. This nanoscale is also similar to the scale of many biological mechanisms in the human body, allowing nanoparticles and nanomaterials to potentially cross natural barriers and interact with DNA or small proteins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is an intriguing segment, with some very hands-on progress: according to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fetp-nanomedicine.eu\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nanomedicine European Technology Platform\u003C\u002Fa>, there are over 80 marketed products, ranging from nano-delivery and pharmaceutical to medical imaging, diagnostics and biomaterials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC6982820\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">first nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery systems\u003C\u002Fa> are already on the market, others are in clinical trials or, by far the largest part, are under development. Another highly attractive area of nanomedicine is diagnostics at nanoscale. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The aim is to identify a disease at the earliest possible stage. Already today artificial skin, bone, and cartilage are in an advanced stage of development and partly already on the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the past two decades, many great minds labored to get us closer to nanobots, and we have great concepts, like the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thekurzweillibrary.com\u002Fclottocytes-artificial-mechanical-platelets#:~:text=Nanorobotic%20artificial%20mechanical%20platelets%20(%E2%80%9Cclottocytes,They%20could%20also%20work%20internally.\" target=\"_blank\">blood-clotting Clottocytes\u003C\u002Fa>, oxygen-carrying \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FRespirocyte\" target=\"_blank\">Respirocytes\u003C\u002Fa>, or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fwhat-is-nano\u002Fnano-and-the-life-saving-future-of-medicine\" target=\"_blank\">Microbivores\u003C\u002Fa>, also known as nanorobotic phagocytes, that act as artificial white blood cells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_385-768x432.png\" alt=\"medical specialties TMF\" class=\"wp-image-52411\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_385-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_385-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_385-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_385.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nanomedicine may be in our sight, AI nanobots are not\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A future without aging, diseases, and mental problems is fascinating, no wonder AI nanobots make so many of us excited. But if you ask me how close we are to this health utopia, I’ll be the bearer of bad news: \u003Cstrong>I think we are not close at all. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The concept of AI-equipped nanobots in our bloodstream remains far from realisation due to a variety of scientific, technological, and ethical challenges. Here are five reasons why we don’t have such technology today and why it’s unlikely to be developed within the – at least – next decade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Technological Limitations: \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Creating nanobots equipped with AI that can safely and effectively operate in the human bloodstream involves immense technological challenges. This includes miniaturizing components to a nanoscale while ensuring they have enough power to operate and communicate. We currently only have existing examples on a microscale. As of now, we lack the necessary technology to build and power such tiny, sophisticated devices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Biocompatibility and Safety Issues: \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ensuring that nanobots are biocompatible and do not provoke an immune response is a significant challenge. There’s also the risk of unintended interactions with biological systems, such as clotting, inflammation, or accidental damage to cells or DNA, which could lead to serious health consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. AI and Robotics Development Stage: \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Current AI and robotics technologies are not yet advanced enough to autonomously perform complex tasks inside the human body. AI systems, especially those that would need to operate at a nanoscale, require further development to handle the unpredictable and complex environment of the human body. Plus how would we provide energy for it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Ethical and Regulatory Concerns: \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are numerous ethical and regulatory hurdles to overcome. The use of such technology raises questions about privacy (such as data collection from within the body), consent, and potential misuse. Additionally, regulatory bodies like the FDA would require extensive testing and trials to ensure safety and efficacy, which is a long and rigorous process. If an insulin pump can be hacked, imagine the level of issues around something in our bloodstream. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Cost and Accessibility: \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The development and deployment of AI-equipped nanobots would be extremely expensive. This cost barrier means that even if the technology were available, it might not be accessible to the majority of the population, leading to ethical concerns about equity and justice in healthcare. A blood test is still much more feasible than building nanobots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Given these challenges, it’s unlikely that we will see AI-equipped nanobots being used in medical applications within the next decade. Advances in related fields like nanotechnology, biotechnology, and AI are needed before such an ambitious project could become feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also, if people are afraid of a robot that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwould-you-let-a-robot-take-your-blood-sample\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">can take a blood sample\u003C\u002Fa>, would they allow robots to live inside their bloodstream? I highly doubt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":60,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>According to sensationalist reporters we’ll soon be living in an age where diseases will be a thing of the past thanks to AI nanobots. But how close are we? Let’s bust some myths here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,53803,"closed","","standard",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,69,5],7079,521,[71,72,73,74],7011,7889,134,246,[76,77,78],950,951,952,[],[81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89],4959,1559,1569,1719,1833,2297,2329,2731,3271,[91,53,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105,106],"post-53799","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tmf","category-future-medicine","category-nanotechnology","tag-nanobots","tag-nanobots-in-medicine","tag-ai","tag-future","project_category-medical-professionals","project_category-patients","project_category-policy-makers",{"id":62,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":108,"media_details":109,"post":44,"source_url":149},"image",{"width":110,"height":111,"file":112,"filesize":113,"sizes":114,"image_meta":146},3200,1800,"2023\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_392_nanobots.png",1052693,{"medium":115,"large":122,"thumbnail":128,"medium_large":133,"1536x1536":134,"2048x2048":140},{"file":116,"width":117,"height":118,"mime-type":119,"filesize":120,"source_url":121},"tmf_article_392_nanobots-370x208.png",370,208,"image\u002Fpng",50963,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_392_nanobots-370x208.png",{"file":123,"width":124,"height":125,"mime-type":119,"filesize":126,"source_url":127},"tmf_article_392_nanobots-768x432.png",768,432,136592,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_392_nanobots-768x432.png",{"file":129,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":119,"filesize":131,"source_url":132},"tmf_article_392_nanobots-150x150.png",150,19134,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_392_nanobots-150x150.png",{"file":123,"width":124,"height":125,"mime-type":119,"filesize":126,"source_url":127},{"file":135,"width":136,"height":137,"mime-type":119,"filesize":138,"source_url":139},"tmf_article_392_nanobots-1536x864.png",1536,864,358837,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_392_nanobots-1536x864.png",{"file":141,"width":142,"height":143,"mime-type":119,"filesize":144,"source_url":145},"tmf_article_392_nanobots-2048x1152.png",2048,1152,554441,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_392_nanobots-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":147,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":147,"copyright":64,"focal_length":147,"iso":147,"shutter_speed":147,"title":64,"orientation":147,"keywords":148},"0",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_392_nanobots.png",{"cta_type":151,"cta_color":64,"related_books":152,"related_posts_footer":156,"related_posts":16,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":160},"subscribe",[153,154,155],24759,30419,52203,[157,158,159],53187,53089,53645,[161,163,165],{"title":162},"\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI nanobots promise a future where diseases could become obsolete, thanks to early disease detection, treatment at a cellular level, and enhancement of physical and cognitive abilities – according to the picture painted by sci-fi writers.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":164},"\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have significant progress on the micro-level, but the nanoworld is still further away, although we see some progress in areas like nanomedicine.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":166},"\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the exciting possibilities, AI-equipped nanobots in our bloodstream are at least a decade (if not more) away due to technological, biocompatibility, ethical, and regulatory challenges.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":56,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":168,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":54},"According to sensationalist reports diseases will soon be a thing of the past thanks to AI nanobots in medicine. But how close are we?",{"self":170,"collection":175,"about":178,"author":181,"replies":184,"version-history":187,"predecessor-version":191,"wp:featuredmedia":195,"wp:attachment":198,"wp:term":201,"curies":216},[171],{"href":172,"targetHints":173},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F53799",{"allow":174},[27],[176],{"href":177},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[179],{"href":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[182],{"embeddable":41,"href":183},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[185],{"embeddable":41,"href":186},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=53799",[188],{"count":189,"href":190},19,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F53799\u002Frevisions",[192],{"id":193,"href":194},53849,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F53799\u002Frevisions\u002F53849",[196],{"embeddable":41,"href":197},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F53803",[199],{"href":200},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=53799",[202,204,207,210,213],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":203},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=53799",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":206},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=53799",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":209},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=53799",{"taxonomy":211,"embeddable":41,"href":212},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=53799",{"taxonomy":214,"embeddable":41,"href":215},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=53799",[217],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":219,"date":220,"date_gmt":221,"guid":222,"modified":224,"modified_gmt":225,"slug":226,"status":52,"type":53,"link":227,"title":228,"content":230,"excerpt":232,"author":61,"featured_media":234,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":235,"categories":236,"tags":251,"project_category":276,"contact_email_category":281,"yst_prominent_words":282,"class_list":291,"better_featured_image":335,"acf":365,"yoast_meta":379,"_links":382},12808,"2025-04-22T09:06:47","2025-04-22T07:06:47",{"rendered":223},"http:\u002F\u002Fthemedicalfuturist.melkweg.hu\u002F?p=12808","2025-04-22T13:09:28","2025-04-22T11:09:28","technologies-that-will-shape-the-future-of-cancer-care","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-that-will-shape-the-future-of-cancer-care",{"rendered":229},"13 Technologies That Will Shape The Future Of Cancer Care",{"rendered":231,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer is \u003C\u002Fspan>a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fnews-room\u002Ffact-sheets\u002Fdetail\u002Fcancer\" target=\"_blank\">leading cause of death worldwide\u003C\u002Fa>, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths annually, or nearly one in six deaths\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It poses a physical, emotional and financial burden on individuals, families, societies and governments.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer research is one of the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-digital-health-future-of-oncology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">most significant areas of research\u003C\u002Fa> in healthcare worldwide. The inventions that led to the rapid COVID-19 vaccine developments originally were aimed at curing cancer – \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmrna-vaccines-from-tackling-pandemic-to-treating-cancer\" target=\"_blank\">the mRNA technology\u003C\u002Fa>, for example. Today, it has become a forward-looking concept for cancer immunotherapy, and researchers \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmolecular-cancer.biomedcentral.com\u002Farticles\u002F10.1186\u002Fs12943-021-01335-5\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expect the field to grow\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> convincingly in the future. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The three essential levels in cancer care are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prevention and diagnosis, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">treatment,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and monitoring of the disease\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>can help beat cancer for good. The technologies we list below are separated according to these phases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Prevention and diagnosis \u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer diagnosis must be early and accurate. Many cancer types cannot yet be detected early enough, while others are caught in time but treated too severely. This notion requires excellent healthcare facilities, new diagnosis technologies, and the proactivity of patients. We’ll see the following fields to earn additional momentum in the coming years.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Liquid biopsy\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fpublications\u002Fdictionaries\u002Fcancer-terms\u002Fdef\u002Fliquid-biopsy\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liquid biopsy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the analysis of tumours using biomarkers circulating in fluids such as the blood. It can be used for the early detection of cancer. During cancer treatments, re-biopsies are needed to adjust the treatment plan. It means taking a new sample from the ever-changing tumour to define the next step of the therapy. With the current invasive biopsy techniques, this is a considerable challenge for patients and medical professionals alike. Fluid biopsy extracts cancer cells from a simple blood sample. The use of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Fsearch?q=liquid%20biopsy&date_range=last_year&order=relevance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">biomarkers in the blood is transforming\u003C\u002Fa> cancer diagnosis \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fd41586-020-00844-5\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">already\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and I firmly believe the method should be the primary process for all biopsies where possible.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Real-time cancer diagnostics\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are multiple exciting technologies for the diagnosis of tumours during surgery. A large-scale \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002F31342360\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study in 2019 found\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that over 20% of women who had breast cancer had to undergo a second operation because malignant cells had been left undetected the first time. A new tool that \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.massdevice.com\u002Fthis-imaging-device-could-be-a-breakthrough-for-breast-cancer-treatment\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">got the FDA breakthrough\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> device designation in October 2020 aims to solve this issue. OncoRes Medical’s imaging device provides essential intraoperative information available to surgeons during a lumpectomy. The handheld device uses AI to assist with identifying tumour and healthy tissue, thereby \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fddebaa16-b003-4ac2-b05d-06b4e7c28ad4.filesusr.com\u002Fugd\u002F611b88_f20c26e047c3496e8096ef84f0933557.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">substantially improving\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> outcomes in breast-conserving surgery and reducing repeat operations for women with breast cancer.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Understanding genetic and lifestyle causes of diseases\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By getting some explicit knowledge about what genetic and environmental factors lead to the different types of cancers, including the given patient’s genetic makeup; it would be possible to catch cancer in its infancy. This requires process innovation in healthcare and more precise and specific cancer biomarkers supported by \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsearch\u002F?term=DNA%20test\" target=\"_blank\">better screening technologies\u003C\u002Fa>. For example, when I took the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fatlas-biomed-genetic-test-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlas Biomed genetic test\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, I learnt a lot about my own body and how it works, and by knowing the risk factors, I was able to design a preventive plan with my primary care physicians and my genetic counsellor. On the downside, Atlas doesn’t examine the gene variants for complex cancer risks. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32629\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_243-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, another company, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fi-got-my-whole-genome-sequenced-heres-what-i-learned\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dante Labs \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">does so. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=HOEMj3J_BrU&t=1s\" target=\"_blank\">Their \u003C\u002Fa>DNA package contains a hereditary cancer report with risks, e.g. for colorectal or prostate cancer, but I must warn you to take these results with caution: risks and actual diseases are two different things.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Treatment\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer treatment varies from surgery and various therapies to destroy any malignant cells in the body, targeted therapies and stem cell transplants. Biomarkers can help determine what kind of therapy would work best. Precision oncology helps find the available targeted therapies. The price of new drugs is going up steeply, and personalised drugs cost even more – but they bear the promise of being more effective than generic medications. As medical and technological innovations expand cancer treatment, the possibility for super-focused drugs is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC6352312\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">getting nearer\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in oncology treatments.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Next-generation targeted therapies\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are drugs that can block cancer growth or spread by interfering with specific molecules involved in the development, progression, and spread of cancer. Such \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.gov\u002Fabout-cancer\u002Ftreatment\u002Ftypes\u002Ftargeted-therapies\u002Ftargeted-therapies-fact-sheet\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">targeted therapies\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are designed only to stop cancerous cells, using information about a person’s genes and proteins. Such precision drugs can \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC6352312\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contribute to the prevention\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, resulting in unbounded patient benefits. Next-generation targeted therapies have already gained momentum in the past couple of years. I expect the field to take off rapidly as the costs of the technology will inevitably go down as the technology will be more available, therefore more affordable.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Molecular cancer diagnostics\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Matching the right targeted therapy to the right patient based on the individual molecular genetic alterations in each cancer patient’s tumour is a promising and attractive precision oncology approach. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oncompassmedicine.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oncompass Medicine\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> uses AI-based algorithms to match genetic mutations found in patients’ tumour samples with effective targeted cancer therapies. This way, patients can receive precisely targeted treatments specific to the kind of cancerous tissue they have. Their RealTime Oncology Treatment Calculator can significantly improve the selection of the right targeted therapy for each cancer patient based on the individual molecular genetic profile of their cancer.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. AI-based therapy design\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if we can extract tumour cells from blood and sequence their DNA as fast as possible, deciding on the treatment is still a struggle. No oncologist can see through the millions of studies and thousands of clinical trials by keeping all of the patient’s parameters and mutations in mind. However, artificial intelligence algorithms can. In the U.K., Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge uses \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Femea\u002Fuk-hospital-first-use-ai-cancer-treatment-tool\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Project InnerEye\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an AI deep-learning tool supporting the treatment of cancer patients. The AI analyses hospital data to identify tumours on patient scans. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-768x432.png\" alt=\"AI medical coding doctor, hospital, clinic, man, laptop, computer\" class=\"wp-image-51069\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And it’s amazingly reliable, cutting CT processing times and treatment planning by up to 90%. Dutch researchers developed an evolutionary algorithm with intelligent search behaviour to generate better solutions at an ever-increasing speed. The AI created \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cwi.nl\u002Fnews\u002Fblogs\u002Fai-calculates-best-treatment-plan\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“\u003Cem>better plans and more insight\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Cem> than the doctors thought possible\u003C\u002Fem>.”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. In silico trials\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In principle, clinical trials take years and cost more than 2 billion dollars for every approved treatment. The number of failed drug candidates is enormous, so spending years and millions on a clinical trial is no guarantee to lead to an approved treatment. However, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-clinical-trials-artificial-patients-synthetic-data-and-real-time-analysis\" target=\"_blank\">the world of clinical trials is changing\u003C\u002Fa>. Trials should unquestionably use more data and AI models. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaphorum.com\u002Fdigital\u002Fnow-what-the-future-of-clinical-trials-after-the-pandemic\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is inevitable\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to build the right skill sets to implement new technologies. Novel approaches like in silico trials with advanced biological networks, organs-on-a-chip or even network medicine will then help choose the right drug candidates within seconds.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. DNA cages\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most cancer treatments today destroy not only cancerous cells but also healthy ones. The ultimate goal is to deliver drugs only to cells that need to be treated. Using DNA cages holding medications might be the answer. Cancer cells can trigger the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.frontiersin.org\u002Farticles\u002F10.3389\u002Ffphar.2019.01585\u002Ffull\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNA cage\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to open, and thus the drug could only impact those cells, but not the healthy ones. The next level of this targeted therapy is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imperial.ac.uk\u002Fnews\u002F218893\u002Fcancer-drugs-could-delivered-molecular-cages\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">investigated\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at The Imperial College London, where researchers used light as a trigger to open the cage and release the drug inside.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Precision surgery\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surgeons using surgical robots such as DaVinci are capable of performing operations with previously unachievable precision. By making the robot an extension of the surgeon’s mind and skills, operating tumours in early stages or tumours close to sensitive organs might become more feasible than ever. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-technological-future-of-surgery\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surgical robots today\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have 3D cameras that can \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2021\u002F04\u002F30\u002Ftechnology\u002Frobot-surgery-surgeon.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">record operations\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and stream at the same time. The robot’s added value is to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wsj.com\u002Farticles\u002Fautonomous-robots-are-coming-to-the-operating-room-11599786000?mod=article_inline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">assist the surgeon\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in suturing, dissecting and retracting tissue, leading to more precision in surgery than ever.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital-768x432.png\" alt=\"hospital, digital health, device, doctor TMF, cancer care\" class=\"wp-image-48231\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_342-01_digital-health-hospital.png 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Monitoring and providing care\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A cancer diagnosis is a traumatic event for everyone. Although patients meet their caregivers in person many times, they are often left to cope with chronic pain or powerful side effects for the rest of the treatment and recovery process. New technologies could improve their experience – as well as the experience of their loved ones around them.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Embedded, implanted and digestible sensors\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, measuring health parameters at home would be a huge addition to cancer care. Measuring body temperature, for example, is key in monitoring the effects of chemotherapy. What if a sensor on the patient’s skin could constantly measure body temperature and notify the patient when the fever goes up? Digestible pillcams could be used to perform non-invasive routine checkups on the digestive system at home. Implanted sensors or digital tattoos could monitor every important vital sign, triggering an alarm to both the patient and the caregiver, so interventions can be planned as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there’s a large set of wearables \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC7688381\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oncology patients could use\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for at-home monitoring of vital signs or physical activities, these devices aren’t used much for this purpose. Both studies on the issue and medical education are missing. However, embedded or implanted sensors (like in a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.contactlensjournal.com\u002Farticle\u002FS1367-0484(21)00021-7\u002Ffulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact lens\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where the tear film is suited to detect cancer biomarkers) have a huge potential in the future.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11. Measuring lab markers at home\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The pandemic has pushed healthcare to use\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-rise-of-at-home-lab-tests\" target=\"_blank\"> at-home lab tests\u003C\u002Fa> more \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdiy-blood-draw-could-patients-collect-blood-at-home\" target=\"_blank\">widely\u003C\u002Fa>. During chemotherapy, blood markers, especially white blood cell count, must be checked routinely to make sure the patient’s immune system is still intact. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002F5.-controversial-Tasso-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-48431\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002F5.-controversial-Tasso-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002F5.-controversial-Tasso-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002F5.-controversial-Tasso.png 1066w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer patients with easily compromised immune systems face more challenges in this regard when visiting busy hospitals. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthepathologist.com\u002Fsubspecialties\u002Fhome-based-tests-for-cancer-patients\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Point-of-care testing\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (POCT) can provide a viable option. At-home testing and diagnostic options will \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2020\u002F07\u002Fthe-role-of-home-based-blood-diagnostics-in-future-cancer-care\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">keep patients safe\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and their immune systems intact.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12. Patient networks\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Networking sites such as \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.smartpatients.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SmartPatients\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (originally a cancer patient empowering site) were designed to help patients find and support each other. These channels offer a lively community where patients, families and caregivers learn from each other about treatments, clinical trials or the latest science. The feeling of community and seeing others cope with the same hardships can boost not just the mental but also the physical well-being of cancer patients.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">13. Pain management\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer and its treatments can induce extreme, chronic pain. In the past, cancer patients were relegated to continuous, increasing doses of painkillers and opioids. Companies are now developing devices that help ease symptoms and side effects. A good example is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fclinicaltrials.gov\u002Fct2\u002Fshow\u002FNCT02809846\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quell\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a wearable technology with intensive nerve stimulation clinically proven to help manage chronic pain. It’s FDA-approved and clinically proven to relieve chronic pain. Another technology, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fabs\u002Fpii\u002FS1524904220301168\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">virtual reality\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can also serve cancer patients in pain reduction by distracting the patients. Although the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC7226660\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">effectiveness of adjunctive therapy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not entirely measurable, respondents found the therapy to be beneficial.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cb>These technologies show a glimpse into the future – and in some cases, that future is here already. We need to keep on pushing the limits to get to a stage where the diagnosis of cancer is not a life-altering event that often brings an untimely end to a patient’s life, but at least a manageable, chronic condition\u003C\u002Fb>.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":233,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>We listed devices and technologies with the promise of curing cancer or transforming it into a manageable chronic disease. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",34685,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[237,238,239,240,241,242,69,243,244,245,246,5,247,248,249,250],6479,6261,504,500,798,491,488,496,499,516,489,497,494,514,[252,253,254,255,256,257,258,259,260,261,262,263,264,265,266,267,268,269,270,271,272,273,274,275],260,7161,7163,7165,545,7167,567,7169,606,7171,976,6041,658,7173,1137,7175,1463,821,7177,163,6999,7179,259,7157,[277,278,279,76,77,78,280],947,948,949,953,[],[283,284,285,286,287,288,289,290],1841,1883,2255,2947,2967,5499,1621,1631,[292,53,92,93,94,95,96,293,294,295,296,297,298,98,299,300,301,302,99,303,304,305,306,307,308,309,310,311,312,313,314,315,316,317,318,319,320,321,322,323,324,325,326,327,328,329,330,331,332,333,104,105,106,334],"post-12808","category-covid-19","category-forecast","category-artificial-intelligence","category-biotechnology","category-digital-health-research","category-empowered-patients","category-genomics","category-health-sensors-trackers","category-healthcare-design","category-medical-education","category-personalized-medicine","category-portable-diagnostics","category-telemedicine","category-virtual-reality","tag-genetics","tag-joe-biden","tag-cancer-moonshot","tag-barack-obama","tag-sensors","tag-fluid-biopsy","tag-in-silico-trials","tag-targeted-therapies","tag-prevention","tag-molecular-diagnostics","tag-biomarkers","tag-covid-19","tag-oncology","tag-oncompass","tag-dante-labs","tag-dna-cages","tag-atlas-biomed","tag-a-i","tag-precision-surgery","tag-cancer-2","tag-mrna","tag-quell","tag-genetic-testing","tag-poct","project_category-company","project_category-developers","project_category-educators","project_category-researchers",{"id":234,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":336,"media_type":108,"media_details":337,"post":363,"source_url":364},"The future of cancer care",{"width":338,"height":339,"file":340,"sizes":341,"image_meta":362},1920,1080,"2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01.png",{"medium":342,"large":347,"thumbnail":352,"medium_large":356,"1536x1536":357},{"file":343,"width":344,"height":345,"mime-type":119,"source_url":346},"tmf_article_273-01-370x208.png","370","208","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01-370x208.png",{"file":348,"width":349,"height":350,"mime-type":119,"source_url":351},"tmf_article_273-01-768x432.png","768","432","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01-768x432.png",{"file":353,"width":354,"height":354,"mime-type":119,"source_url":355},"tmf_article_273-01-150x150.png","150","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01-150x150.png",{"file":348,"width":349,"height":350,"mime-type":119,"source_url":351},{"file":358,"width":359,"height":360,"mime-type":119,"source_url":361},"tmf_article_273-01-1536x864.png","1536","864","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":147,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":147,"copyright":64,"focal_length":147,"iso":147,"shutter_speed":147,"title":64,"orientation":147},34659,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_273-01.png",{"subtitle":64,"cta_type":151,"cta_color":64,"related_posts_footer":366,"related_posts":16,"related_books":370,"key_takeaways":374},[367,368,369],24858,51747,51875,[371,372,373],47427,34151,24764,[375,377],{"title":376},"\u003Cp>Early and precise cancer detection is being revolutionized through innovations like liquid biopsy and AI-powered tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":378},"\u003Cp>These technologies are pushing towards making cancer a chronic, rather than life-ending, condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":380,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":381,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":227},"13 Technologies That Will Shape The Future of Cancer Care","The devices and technologies with the promise of curing cancer or transforming it into a manageable chronic disease. Here are 13 promising technologies.",{"self":383,"collection":388,"about":390,"author":392,"replies":394,"version-history":397,"predecessor-version":401,"wp:featuredmedia":405,"wp:attachment":408,"wp:term":411,"curies":422},[384],{"href":385,"targetHints":386},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F12808",{"allow":387},[27],[389],{"href":177},[391],{"href":180},[393],{"embeddable":41,"href":183},[395],{"embeddable":41,"href":396},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=12808",[398],{"count":399,"href":400},40,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F12808\u002Frevisions",[402],{"id":403,"href":404},58693,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F12808\u002Frevisions\u002F58693",[406],{"embeddable":41,"href":407},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34685",[409],{"href":410},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=12808",[412,414,416,418,420],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":413},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=12808",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":415},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=12808",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":417},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=12808",{"taxonomy":211,"embeddable":41,"href":419},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=12808",{"taxonomy":214,"embeddable":41,"href":421},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=12808",[423],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":425,"date":426,"date_gmt":427,"guid":428,"modified":430,"modified_gmt":431,"slug":432,"status":52,"type":53,"link":433,"title":434,"content":436,"excerpt":438,"author":440,"featured_media":441,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":442,"categories":443,"tags":447,"project_category":463,"contact_email_category":464,"yst_prominent_words":465,"class_list":480,"better_featured_image":500,"acf":520,"yoast_meta":527,"_links":530},34179,"2023-09-19T10:00:00","2023-09-19T08:00:00",{"rendered":429},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=34179&_wpnonce=c515b17ba8&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-09-18T07:53:36","2023-09-18T05:53:36","digital-health-technologies","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-technologies",{"rendered":435},"Digital Health Technologies That Are Too Futuristic To Be In Practice Now (If Ever)",{"rendered":437,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>An oncologist administering nanorobots that swim through a patient’s bloodstream to deliver drugs in a highly targeted way. A person on a specific diet scanning their meal with a single device to reveal all of its major nutritional elements. A clinic’s transplant department 3D-printing whole organs. These are scenarios that sound like snippets extracted from a science-fiction novel. But these are digital health technologies that we will have to get used to in the future. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnanotechnology-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Nanorobots\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-food-the-food-of-the-future\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">food scanners\u003C\u002Fa>, and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-bioprinting-overview\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">bioprinting\u003C\u002Fa> are all existing digital health technologies that we’ve reported on The Medical Futurist. However, they are in the “too futuristic” category (even for The Medical Futurist!) as the future when they will be commonplace is several decades away and is something we might not even be around to experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>They are too futuristic not only because the underlying technology is still in its infancy, but also because the digital health field faces several challenges that must be overcome before addressing those technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here we contemplate some of these too-futuristic digital health technologies that won’t get in the doctor’s room or in a patient’s home any time soon, how far off in the future they are, and what needs to happen before we get to see them in practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Those distant digital health technologies\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We often come across exciting digital health technologies that compel us to dive into the subject and present an article about it. At other times, we get the opportunity to review relevant products too. But over the years, some of those technologies have stagnated, with no significant developments even from major players in the respective field. Let’s take 5 examples to illustrate these.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Food scanners\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A couple of years ago, we had the opportunity to test Nima’s food scanners. The Silicon Valley-based company released two portable scanners: a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftesting-food-gluten-home-nima-sensor-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">gluten sensor\u003C\u002Fa> and a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffighting-against-a-small-enemy-the-nima-peanut-sensor-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">peanut sensor\u003C\u002Fa>. These enabled the user to scan for that respective content in a food sample on the spot. During our tests for those devices, we found them to be accurate and very practical to use. More importantly, such accuracy and convenience of use can literally prove to be life-saving for those suffering from food allergies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"I Tested Food For Gluten At Home With The Nima Sensor - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fm8glmjXPAlk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But since our review in 2018, Nima hasn’t released any new products, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fnima-labs\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">was acquired\u003C\u002Fa> by a medical device company in 2020 and after a while they went completely silent, rendering these devices useless without \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goodforyouglutenfree.com\u002Fnima-sensor-out-of-business\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">test capsules\u003C\u002Fa>. While their technology was indeed disruptive, the devices were limited to scanning single components. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, there are patients suffering from more food allergies such as egg, soy or lactose who would benefit from such devices; or ideally, a single scanner that could detect multiple food elements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other companies that entered the consumer market with food scanners of their own did not fare any better. SCio, whose handheld device could scan food and analyse its chemical constituents, shifted focus towards the farming industry rather than improving its existing product. TellSpec stopped issuing press releases in 2018 and failed to deliver the handheld food scanner \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.indiegogo.com\u002Fprojects\u002Ftellspec-what-s-in-your-food#\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">backed by 1700+ people on Indiegogo\u003C\u002Fa>, and also seems to have failed to refund the donations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How far in the future will we have omnipotent food scanners?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The technology has been around for around a decade and some consumer products are\u002Fwere already on the market. But their uses are\u002Fwere limited as is the number of players in the field. We should expect to see more scanners in the next decade or so but still with limited uses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Nanorobots\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2016, we released an article dedicated to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnanotechnology-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nanotechnology in medicine\u003C\u002Fa>. In it, we shared examples like “nanoswimmers” developed by researchers that could pave the way for programmed drug delivery. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"4 Ways Nanotechnology Will Change Our Lives\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fdn2UjBIsrcI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, practically all of the nanorobots came from research labs with more proof-of-concepts than practical applications. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.snexplores.org\u002Farticle\u002Fnanobots-can-now-enter-brain-cells-to-spy-on-what-theyre-doing\" target=\"_blank\">Recent news\u003C\u002Fa> around \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Femag.medicalexpo.com\u002Fnanorobotics-in-neurology-tiny-movements-towards-major-change\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the technology\u003C\u002Fa> still \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41467-023-40300-2\" target=\"_blank\">revolves around\u003C\u002Fa> the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fs41565-023-01471-7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">theoretical\u002Fconceptual aspects\u003C\u002Fa>. But this is how digital health technologies often evolve: from conceptual stages in labs, through various iterations and testing stages before rolling out to a wider audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How far in the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We’re still at the dawn of nanotechnology in medicine, but it doesn’t mean we won’t ever see it in practice. In the coming years, we will likely hear about more developments in the field. But to see those in regular practice, we’re looking at 4 or more decades down the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. One-drop blood tests\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This one will leave a sour taste in the mouths of Theranos’ investors. The startup amassed millions in investments following its promise to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2014\u002F02\u002Felizabeth-holmes-theranos\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">run 30 lab tests on a single drop of blood\u003C\u002Fa>. This eventually turned out \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhere-does-blood-testing-stand-today\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">to be a scam\u003C\u002Fa>, but if you dial down expectations, several tests can be conducted on smaller blood samples instead of a single blood drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-768x432.gif\" alt=\"Digital Health Technologies: Blood testing\" class=\"wp-image-22249\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-768x432.gif 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-370x208.gif 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-1536x864.gif 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting-512x288.gif 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, from a small blood volume, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.genalyte.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Genalyte’s technology\u003C\u002Fa> can run multiple, simultaneous, rapid tests and output a result within 30 minutes. Similarly, from a single blood sample that can potentially \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnightingalehealth.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnightingale-health-rolls-out-remote-blood-collection-kit-for-medical-research-and-clinical-trials\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">be collected \u003C\u002Fa>at home, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnightingalehealth.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F?\" target=\"_blank\">Nightingale\u003C\u002Fa> can analyse numerous biomarkers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How far in the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Unless researchers devise an accurate way to amplify the volume of blood from a drop-sized initial sample or accurately perform tests on a single drop, we won’t see the coveted “one drop blood test”. It’s safer to bet on “small sample blood tests” in this case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Nutrigenomics\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nutrigenomics aims to understand how specific humans react differently to specific nutrients due to their individual genetic characteristics, and how we can utilise this knowledge for each individual. In simpler terms: a promise of an advancement that can provide you with scientifically backed data on what, how and when you should eat and what to avoid – based on your DNA.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However fascinating, a science-backed nutrigenomics test I could finally lay my hands on is THE digital health technology I have been waiting for the longest and still had no chance to try. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"nutrigenomics\" class=\"wp-image-48473\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Ftmf_article_345-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We discussed the main reasons for the slow progress \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-is-nutrigenomics-the-biggest-flop-in-digital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">in this article\u003C\u002Fa> in great detail, so let’s just summarize the headlines here. We listed these four main reasons: 1. It is extremely challenging to learn nutritionally guiding principles from genetic tests, 2. Pricing will be very tricky, 3. Nutrigenomics will not offer easy fixes for fast results, and 4. All you see is bogus, fake science everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>How far in the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Of course, we are not giving up hope to be among the first ones to test a reliably working, accessible, DTC nutrigenomics test. It is quite tricky to forecast when this will happen. The technology seems to be available, however, there hasn’t been a single company that could deliver a viable product. While this time arrives, I will figuratively put nutrigenomics on my shelf of flops, right next to my – very solid – 3D printed cast. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5) Contact lenses for detecting blood glucose\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Back in 2014, Google \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fpatentbolt.com\u002F2014\u002F03\u002Fgoogle-takes-their-google-glass-vision-to-smart-contact-lenses.html\" target=\"_blank\">submitted a patent\u003C\u002Fa> to the US Patent & Trademark Office that described a digital, multi-sensor contact lens for detecting blinking, with benefits like turning the page of an e-book with a “blink of an eye”. Later, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FGoogle_Contact_Lens\" target=\"_blank\">more details\u003C\u002Fa> about the idea emerged, revealing a much more transformative use for the contact lens – measuring blood glucose from tears. It was one of the most groundbreaking, futuristic, and promising projects in digital health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, \u003Cstrong>in November 2018, it turned out irrevocably that the project for manufacturing these contact lenses had failed. Alphabet’s company, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2018-11-16\u002Falphabet-s-verily-halts-diabetes-detecting-contact-lens-project\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Verily Life Sciences halted one of its longest-running projects with this announcement\u003C\u002Fa>. The company said that the reason for shutting down the initiative was that it couldn’t get the experimental lens, which measures glucose in tears, to deliver assessments of blood glucose with enough consistency to be used as a medical device\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Although we somewhat expected the disappointing news as there was no word about the undertaking for months, we still had a pinch of hope around the research. All-in-all, the initiative proved to be too much science fiction to be realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>How far in the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Smart contact lenses seem to surface in the news every now and then, with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedaily.com\u002Freleases\u002F2023\u002F03\u002F230309082623.htm\">various use cases\u003C\u002Fa> and development directions, but some of the most serious players \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2023\u002F1\u002F7\u002F23543224\u002Fmojo-vision-smart-contact-lens-microled\" target=\"_blank\">shift their focus\u003C\u002Fa> and give up on the concept. Commercially available smart contact lenses with advanced medical assessment capacities are still at least five years away. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The future path to everyday practice\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It might seem like it’s just a matter of time before we see such digital health technologies in practice. However, some promising and available technologies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhere-are-3d-printed-casts\u002F\">3D-\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhere-are-3d-printed-casts\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">printed casts\u003C\u002Fa> with their many advantages aren’t adopted due to several factors from the lack of scientific backing to their manufacturing cost. Others fail to take off because some companies, like Theranos and blood testing, set a negative precedent \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-ventures-that-flew-too-close-to-the-sun\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">at the expense of promising technologies\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But in reality, even if the polished versions were available now, they might not even be adopted. This is because digital health still has several challenges to address before even considering how to integrate those futuristic digital health technologies into everyday practice. How can we talk about nanorobots if we can’t easily access and download our own medical records from a healthcare institution? How can we get patients to use food scanners if it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">took a pandemic\u003C\u002Fa> to get them to adopt telemedicine? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Many researchers and startups can come up with amazing engineering solutions, but those are further ahead of the line. They don’t address real-life patient, physician or policymaker needs, and thus those will not be used in practice; at least for now. From the need for a cultural transformation to understanding the implications of digital health, those are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Flongevity-is-the-future-if-we-tackle-digital-health-first\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">some of the many issues\u003C\u002Fa> that stakeholders in the field need to address first. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunno\u003C\u002Fem>o\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":439,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>An oncologist administering nanorobots that swim through a patient’s bloodstream to deliver drugs in a highly targeted way. A person on a specific diet scanning their meal with a single device to reveal all of its major nutritional elements. A clinic’s transplant department 3D-printing whole organs. These are scenarios that sound like snippets extracted from a science-fiction novel. But these are digital health technologies that we will have to get used to in the future. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",16,34231,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[240,241,242,444,69,244,5,445,446],510,512,515,[448,449,450,451,452,453,454,455,456,256,457,458,459,460,461,71,462],7015,130,7017,1501,152,7019,153,159,5045,202,550,236,851,7009,7013,[277,278,279,280],[],[466,467,468,469,470,471,472,473,474,475,476,477,284,478,479],2973,3825,3829,1571,4403,1617,1681,5411,1721,5425,1723,5445,2017,2877,[481,53,92,93,94,95,96,296,297,298,482,98,300,99,483,484,485,486,487,488,489,490,491,492,493,311,494,495,496,497,498,100,499,331,332,333,334],"post-34179","category-future-of-food","category-robotics","category-science-fiction","tag-tellspec","tag-3d-printing-2","tag-scio","tag-nanorobot","tag-bioprinting","tag-genalyte","tag-biotechnology-2","tag-blood-test","tag-nightingale","tag-device","tag-theranos","tag-fda-2","tag-nima","tag-food-scanners","tag-gluten-sensor",{"id":441,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":108,"media_details":501,"post":518,"source_url":519},{"width":338,"height":339,"file":502,"sizes":503,"image_meta":517},"2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01.png",{"medium":504,"large":507,"thumbnail":510,"medium_large":513,"1536x1536":514},{"file":505,"width":344,"height":345,"mime-type":119,"source_url":506},"tmf_article_262_C-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01-370x208.png",{"file":508,"width":349,"height":350,"mime-type":119,"source_url":509},"tmf_article_262_C-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01-768x432.png",{"file":511,"width":354,"height":354,"mime-type":119,"source_url":512},"tmf_article_262_C-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01-150x150.png",{"file":508,"width":349,"height":350,"mime-type":119,"source_url":509},{"file":515,"width":359,"height":360,"mime-type":119,"source_url":516},"tmf_article_262_C-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":147,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":147,"copyright":64,"focal_length":147,"iso":147,"shutter_speed":147,"title":64,"orientation":147},34225,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_262_C-01.png",{"cta_type":151,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":521,"related_posts_footer":523,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":16},[372,522],24762,[524,525,526],34065,13003,33895,{"yoast_wpseo_title":528,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":529,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":433},"Digital Health Technologies That Are Too Futuristic - The Medical Futurist","Digital Health Technologies: Some digital health technologies sound great but they are just too far away from everyday practice. See the list.",{"self":531,"collection":536,"about":538,"author":540,"replies":543,"version-history":546,"predecessor-version":550,"wp:featuredmedia":554,"wp:attachment":557,"wp:term":560,"curies":571},[532],{"href":533,"targetHints":534},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34179",{"allow":535},[27],[537],{"href":177},[539],{"href":180},[541],{"embeddable":41,"href":542},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[544],{"embeddable":41,"href":545},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=34179",[547],{"count":548,"href":549},37,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34179\u002Frevisions",[551],{"id":552,"href":553},52565,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34179\u002Frevisions\u002F52565",[555],{"embeddable":41,"href":556},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34231",[558],{"href":559},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=34179",[561,563,565,567,569],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":562},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=34179",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":564},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=34179",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":566},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=34179",{"taxonomy":211,"embeddable":41,"href":568},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=34179",{"taxonomy":214,"embeddable":41,"href":570},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=34179",[572],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":574,"date":575,"date_gmt":576,"guid":577,"modified":579,"modified_gmt":580,"slug":581,"status":52,"type":53,"link":582,"title":583,"content":585,"excerpt":587,"author":61,"featured_media":589,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":590,"categories":591,"tags":595,"project_category":620,"contact_email_category":621,"yst_prominent_words":622,"class_list":629,"better_featured_image":658,"acf":678,"yoast_meta":683,"_links":686},13151,"2023-01-31T10:00:00","2023-01-31T09:00:00",{"rendered":578},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13151","2023-01-29T07:36:09","2023-01-29T06:36:09","bioethical-issues","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbioethical-issues",{"rendered":584},"TOP 10 Dangers Of Digital Health",{"rendered":586,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to the advent of digital health, the future of medicine is truly exciting. With technological advancements that democratise access to care, better treatments are accessible to people than ever before. Breakthrough research and medical developments have eradicated deadly diseases and turned others into manageable conditions. But the very developments that propel healthcare to the 21st century bring their own share of hazards to the field.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the elimination of privacy through hacked medical devices to bioterrorism, there are signs of alarming trends that few take seriously. Nevertheless, we must generate discussion around these issues and help prepare every stakeholder to address them. To this end, we collected 10 of the most important hazards that technology brings about in the digital health age.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>1. Regulating adaptive AI algorithms\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Flocked-and-adaptive-algorithms-in-healthcare-differences-importance-and-regulatory-hurdles\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">adaptive artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (AI) is one that can adapt itself on the go based on new information it receives. In a clinical environment, it would, for example, be able to recommend blood tests more frequently in a population that has a high prevalence of diabetes. And if it sees that people in this population also have a tendency to develop cardiac issues, it will also recommend a cardiovascular evaluation.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-768x432.png\" alt=\"AI bias algorithm artificial intelligence people patients race population\" class=\"wp-image-41809\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, such algorithms rely on existing medical data which is \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-i-bias-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fraught with inherent biases\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. By evolving on such data, adaptive AI will only reinforce those harmful biases such as discriminating based on one’s ethnicity and\u002For gender. To mitigate those risks, regulatory authorities must adopt new regulatory approaches to ensure that equitable adaptive AI algorithms are employed in healthcare facilities.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. Hacking medical devices remotely\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New medical implants and devices are increasingly getting wireless connectivity features whether it’s to monitor metrics or run diagnostics. However, this also means that they are prone to hacks and these could prove fatal to patients.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back in 2011, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theregister.com\u002F2011\u002F10\u002F27\u002Ffatal_insulin_pump_attack\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a researcher\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showed that it was possible to hack Medtronic insulin pumps to deliver fatal doses to diabetic patients. Others can \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.washingtonpost.com\u002Fnews\u002Fthe-switch\u002Fwp\u002F2013\u002F10\u002F21\u002Fyes-terrorists-could-have-hacked-dick-cheneys-heart\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hijack pacemakers\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over Bluetooth, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2014\u002F04\u002Fhospital-equipment-vulnerable\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">compromise X-ray data\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, remotely \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2014\u002F06\u002Fhospital-networks-leaking-data\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reconfigure CT scans\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to alter radiation exposure, and the list \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2015\u002F11\u002Fmedical-devices-that-are-vulnerable-to-life-threatening-hacks\u002F#slide-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">goes on\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As more and more patients and healthcare institutions adopt such solutions, are regulators ensuring that private companies provide secure technologies? What can we do to protect wearable devices that are connected to our physiological system from remote hacks? Patients should demand safer options, while companies developing such technologies should make sure they are safe and users should be as vigilant as possible when using them.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>3. Privacy breaches by and on direct-to-consumer devices and services\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The relationship between digital health adoption and privacy is a delicate one. In short, there is no digital health without compromising a part of our privacy. In order to provide individual and personalised results, tools such as health sensors and AI need access to our personal health data. But how secure are such data once the companies behind those tools have access to them? For instance, the popular direct-to-consumer DNA testing company 23andMe and pharma giant GSK \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gsk.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fmedia\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fgsk-and-23andme-sign-agreement-to-leverage-genetic-insights-for-the-development-of-novel-medicines\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">signed a $300 million deal\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for drug development. This deal leveraged 23andMe’s substantial genetic resources, and it was made possible through its customers being oblivious that such a deal was in the pipeline. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Privacy and security issues pertaining to the digital health era are complex and multifactorial. These aren’t likely to get any simpler as more and more advanced technologies get integrated into the field. As such, every stakeholder in the healthcare landscape must contemplate the need for changes in the digital health era. To help you navigate these questions, we published \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an e-book dedicated to the topic\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-768x432.png\" alt=\"Hackers, breaches and the value of health data TMF privacy ebook\" class=\"wp-image-47062\"\u002F\u003C\u002Fa srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F08\u002F0811_privacy_2022_header-copy-small.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>4. Ransomware attacks on hospitals\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When talking about cyber threats in healthcare, the most common ones are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcyberthreats-to-hospitals-2021\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ransomware\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These involve hackers who infect IT systems with malware or digital viruses to encrypt crucial files. These paralyse whole infrastructures as that information is inaccessible until a ransom is paid, usually through cryptocurrency.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the high-profile ones happened back in 2017 with the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-nhs-ransomware-attack-data-privacy-in-digital-health-part-one\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WannaCry attacks\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on 61 NHS institutions. It led to the cancellation of operations and clinical appointments, loss of internet connection in hospitals and diverted patients from emergency departments even one week after the incident. This trend was perpetuated in subsequent years. Cybersecurity incidents involving patient data hit all-time highs \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2022\u002F12\u002Fwhat-we-learned-from-cybersecurity-attacks-in-healthcare-in-2022\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">year after year\u003C\u002Fa>, and experts predict that 2023 likely won’t be any better. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cyber threats in healthcare cannot be overlooked. The average patient should demand more security over their data, and the medical staff and management should take these demands seriously and familiarise themselves with cybercrime methods in order to better counter them.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>5. Technologies supporting self-diagnosis\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physicians are worried because patients google their symptoms and treatments as they might wrongly associate the information they find \u003C\u002Fspan>with more serious conditions than what their caregiver diagnoses them with. Researchers as well are sounding the alarm about patients turning to hospitals due to smartwatch notifications about abnormal ECG readings, many of which are not clinically actionable. But soon, more and more patients will have access to more metrics at home whether they come from blood tests or genetic analyses; some of which come\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from unregulated companies offering inaccurate services.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01.png\" alt=\"Can your smartwatch send you to the hospital?\" class=\"wp-image-30731\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F213_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This, together with advanced chatbots offering medical advice can pave the way for even more serious cases of misinterpretation or self-medication. Will we be able to persuade patients not to further overload hospitals in this way? To avert this, proper guidance from medical professionals can equip patients to better interpret readings from their smart sensors, and authorities can regulate those services so that patients can get to know which companies to trust. This will, in turn, help avoid unnecessary hospital visits.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>6. Bioterrorism through digital health technologies\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the convenience and enhanced medical solutions brought about by the interconnected world of digital health technologies, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdisruptive-technologies-bioterrorism\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bioterrorism\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also propels to new levels. We discussed how medical devices can be hacked remotely and that ransomware attacks \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F12\u002F1012015\u002Fransomware-did-not-kill-a-german-hospital-patient\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hold the risk of being fatal\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for some patients. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Ftechnology\u002Fwhat-does-elon-musks-brain-chip-company-neuralink-do-2022-12-05\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Neuralink\u003C\u002Fa>, Elon Musk wants to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fjohnkoetsier\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F28\u002Felon-musk-wants-to-put-a-fitbit-in-your-skull-to-summon-your-tesla\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">embed a “Fitbit in your skull”,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while startup \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nanotics.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NaNotics\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is developing nanorobots that \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldhealth.net\u002Fnews\u002Fnanotech-suggests-have-found-way-combat-age-related-diseases\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“mop up” molecules\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that trigger diseases and ageing from the circulation. With \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechfundingnews.com\u002Fa-brain-implant-no-thicker-than-a-human-hair-neuralinks-competitor-raises-41m-funding\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">such advanced technologies on the horizon\u003C\u002Fa>, are we equipped to prevent bioterrorists from hacking into these devices to directly gain control over our health?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>7. AI not tested in a real-life clinical setting\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We regularly hear news headlines of an AI’s incredible prowess in the healthcare setting. But in many cases, these results are obtained from laboratories using selected datasets or ideal settings which aren’t totally reflective of actual clinical environments. Google learnt it the hard way.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3200\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2.png\" alt=\"A.I. in medicine\" class=\"wp-image-23751\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2.png 3200w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F065_compassionate_care_v2-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical researchers from the company touted the ability of its AI tool to screen patients for diabetic retinopathy (DR) from images \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F27\u002Fgoogle-medical-researchers-humbled-when-ai-screening-tool-falls-short-in-real-life-testing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with 90% accuracy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. DR is a major cause of vision loss worldwide, and detecting the condition earlier can prevent complications. But Google’s AI \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F27\u002Fgoogle-medical-researchers-humbled-when-ai-screening-tool-falls-short-in-real-life-testing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> didn’t fare so well in practice\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as it did on paper. When used by nurses in a hospital in Thailand, they \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F27\u002Fgoogle-medical-researchers-humbled-when-ai-screening-tool-falls-short-in-real-life-testing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">encountered several issues\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Sometimes they had internet connection troubles; at other times the quality of the scan didn’t meet a certain threshold, so the AI simply didn’t give a result. And on some occasions, nurses even had to spend extra time editing some of the images the algorithm didn’t want to analyse.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>8. Synthetic health data is not entirely accurate in simulating reality\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-clinical-trials-artificial-patients-synthetic-data-and-real-time-analysis\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Synthetic data\u003C\u002Fa> is the use of AI to create datasets that mimic the real world. We use it for several reasons: 1. we don’t have enough real-world data or 2. don’t want to use real-world (sensitive) data. It is useful for feeding any algorithm that needs massive amounts of data to learn and either develop new prediction capabilities or recognise patterns. Synthetic data is widely used in a number of industries and segments, not just in medicine, but also in self-driving vehicles, security, robotics, fraud protection, insurance models, the military, and so on. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, any dataset we create will be imperfect to some extent. It will contain biases we are not aware of. It will not include important variables we either overlooked or are not aware of their importance. Even, in the best of cases, it will be like a snapshot of a given moment in a given situation. If we let machine learning and deep learning algorithms develop on these synthetic, imperfect datasets, chances are they will come to conclusions that are more or less false in the real world. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png\" alt=\"in silico trials, synthetic data, artificial patient, TMF\" class=\"wp-image-24545\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Synthetic data is cheap and easy to come by, much easier and cheaper than collecting huge amounts of messy real-world data. What happens if decisions affecting large groups of people or whole societies will be made based on it? It is especially worrying as the world already faces challenges regarding “truth”. Introducing alternative truths based on ‘data’ to back decisions affecting societies – like healthcare funding, insurance models and so on – can have devastating consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>9. Face recognition cameras in hospitals\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-guide-to-facial-recognition-technology-in-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facial recognition technology\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a method that combines image analysis and deep neural networks to interpret patterns from facial characteristics. It can reveal a range of medical conditions. Its functional algorithm relies on existing databases and dives into comparing those features in order to output a result. Its application in healthcare shows promise from detecting rare genetic conditions to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-in-aesthetics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extracting facial blood flow information\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the U.S., controversial company Clearview AI, which made a facial recognition database from social media pictures of unsuspecting individuals, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fvalue-ethics-using-phone-data-monitor-covid-19\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pitched its platform\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the government to track those infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, employing the technology from a company with dubious intentions poses new privacy risks. What will they do with the images collected? Will they be shared with law enforcement officials for surveillance, which can \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsitn.hms.harvard.edu\u002Fflash\u002F2020\u002Fracial-discrimination-in-face-recognition-technology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">further fuel racial discrimination\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>10. Health insurance: Dr Big Brother\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the availability and adoption of fitness trackers, direct-to-consumer genetic tests and health sensors, health insurance companies are able to assess applicants for insurance coverage based on their individual needs. For example, if one’s genetic test reveals a higher probability of acquiring ovarian cancer, the insurance company could subsequently subsidise relevant tests and offer them more regularly to that person. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, such availability of personal data is also a double-edged sword. It \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">could lead to a dystopian, Orwellian scenario\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Insurance companies could demand access to individuals’ wearables data in order to offer insurance; charge higher premiums if customers aren’t maintaining a healthy lifestyle; and even discriminate against applicants based on their genetic risk. The U.S. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.genome.gov\u002Fabout-genomics\u002Fpolicy-issues\u002FGenetic-Discrimination\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was set up to address such biases, but what if new insurance policies amend it due to pressure from lobbies?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2.png\" alt=\"future of health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-22082\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are of course more such hazards emerging from the digital health world which we will encounter more frequently in the near future. So let’s start discussing these issues at home, at the workplace and on public forums. This way we can prepare to exploit the advantages technology offers, while keeping the potential dangers at bay.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Cstrong>And we shall never forget: “\u003Cem>Primum non nocere\u003C\u002Fem>”!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":588,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>There are many threats if we let medical innovation run wild. We collected 10 hazards that technology brings about in the digital health age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",33749,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[239,592,240,241,593,5,594,249],511,800,799,[596,597,598,599,600,601,602,603,604,605,606,607,608,609,610,611,269,612,613,614,615,616,617,618,619],137,691,6743,224,692,6871,266,740,6873,1433,407,6875,1535,453,6877,6881,6883,845,6885,5267,6887,6243,517,6525,[277,278,279,76,78],[],[476,85,284,623,467,469,624,471,625,290,626,472,627,628],2993,4505,4907,5013,1683,1693,[630,53,92,93,94,95,96,295,631,296,297,632,99,633,305,634,635,636,637,638,639,640,641,642,643,644,645,646,647,648,649,324,650,651,652,653,654,655,656,657,331,332,333,104,106],"post-13151","category-bioethics","category-healthcare-policy","category-security-privacy","tag-algorithm","tag-wannacry","tag-hospitals","tag-ecg","tag-ransomware","tag-ct-scans","tag-google-2","tag-elon-musk","tag-hacking","tag-privacy","tag-smartwatch","tag-cryptocurrency","tag-facial-recognition","tag-wearables-2","tag-diabetic-retinopathy","tag-clearview-ai","tag-sars-cov-2","tag-medtronic","tag-orwellian","tag-researchers","tag-genetic-information-nondiscrimination-act","tag-nanotics","tag-gc1","tag-neuralink",{"id":589,"alt_text":64,"caption":659,"description":64,"media_type":108,"media_details":660,"post":574,"source_url":677},"10 hazards ",{"width":338,"height":339,"file":661,"sizes":662,"image_meta":676},"2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01.png",{"medium":663,"large":666,"thumbnail":669,"medium_large":672,"1536x1536":673},{"file":664,"width":344,"height":345,"mime-type":119,"source_url":665},"tmf_article_253-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01-370x208.png",{"file":667,"width":349,"height":350,"mime-type":119,"source_url":668},"tmf_article_253-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01-768x432.png",{"file":670,"width":354,"height":354,"mime-type":119,"source_url":671},"tmf_article_253-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01-150x150.png",{"file":667,"width":349,"height":350,"mime-type":119,"source_url":668},{"file":674,"width":359,"height":360,"mime-type":119,"source_url":675},"tmf_article_253-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":147,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":147,"copyright":64,"focal_length":147,"iso":147,"shutter_speed":147,"title":64,"orientation":147},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_253-01.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":679,"cta_type":151,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16},[680,681,682],31729,33587,33075,{"yoast_wpseo_title":684,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":685,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":582},"TOP 10 Dangers Of Digital Health And Medical Innovation","There are many threats if we let medical innovation run wild. We collected 10 hazards that technology brings about in the digital health age.",{"self":687,"collection":692,"about":694,"author":696,"replies":698,"version-history":701,"predecessor-version":705,"wp:featuredmedia":709,"wp:attachment":712,"wp:term":715,"curies":726},[688],{"href":689,"targetHints":690},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13151",{"allow":691},[27],[693],{"href":177},[695],{"href":180},[697],{"embeddable":41,"href":183},[699],{"embeddable":41,"href":700},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13151",[702],{"count":703,"href":704},51,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13151\u002Frevisions",[706],{"id":707,"href":708},48941,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13151\u002Frevisions\u002F48941",[710],{"embeddable":41,"href":711},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F33749",[713],{"href":714},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13151",[716,718,720,722,724],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":717},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13151",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":719},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13151",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":721},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13151",{"taxonomy":211,"embeddable":41,"href":723},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13151",{"taxonomy":214,"embeddable":41,"href":725},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13151",[727],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":729,"date":730,"date_gmt":731,"guid":732,"modified":734,"modified_gmt":735,"slug":736,"status":52,"type":53,"link":737,"title":738,"content":740,"excerpt":742,"author":61,"featured_media":744,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":745,"categories":746,"tags":747,"project_category":760,"contact_email_category":761,"yst_prominent_words":762,"class_list":766,"better_featured_image":780,"acf":804,"yoast_meta":812,"_links":814},46818,"2022-07-12T10:00:00","2022-07-12T08:00:00",{"rendered":733},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=46818&_wpnonce=eec9869fd2&status=auto-draft&type=post","2022-07-15T11:28:45","2022-07-15T09:28:45","mrna-vaccines-from-tackling-pandemic-to-treating-cancer","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmrna-vaccines-from-tackling-pandemic-to-treating-cancer",{"rendered":739},"mRNA Vaccines: From Tackling A Pandemic To Treating Cancer",{"rendered":741,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>The story of the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2021\u002F04\u002F08\u002Fhealth\u002Fcoronavirus-mrna-kariko.html\" target=\"_blank\">multi-decade uphill battle\u003C\u002Fa> Katalin Karikó and her fellow researchers fought to prove messenger RNA can viably be used in medicine is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Ffor-mrna-vaccines-covid-was-just-the-beginning\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">widely known today\u003C\u002Fa>. In just as little as two years, the world has learned about mRNA technology and how fast it can react when the need arises holding almost unlimited promises in future applications. As always is the case with “instant hits” in science, the ride was actually very long and bumpy, but more on that later. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What is mRNA?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In very simple terms: messenger ribonucleic acids (or mRNAs in short) are the body’s natural way to transport messages from our DNA to our cells, telling cells what kind of proteins they should produce to make sure everything works as expected. We can imagine it as a user manual for IKEA furniture where the instructions are all created from a combination of the four nucleotides that form the “letters” of the RNA. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What does it do in a vaccine?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>mRNA vaccines differ from earlier vaccines in this: instead of introducing the body to (living or dead [parts of]) the actual pathogen, they carry a set of instructions that allows our bodies to produce a tiny but significant part of the pathogen – without producing the virus itself. In the case of the COVID vaccine, this is the infamous spike protein of COVID. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002FWHO-How-antibodies-work-against-pathogens-768x502.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46819\" width=\"768\" height=\"502\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002FWHO-How-antibodies-work-against-pathogens-768x502.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002FWHO-How-antibodies-work-against-pathogens.jpg 934w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>This illustration created by the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fnews-room\u002Ffeature-stories\u002Fdetail\u002Fhow-do-vaccines-work?gclid=CjwKCAjwwo-WBhAMEiwAV4dybXPDxGM-azYUDRuU9gRnaajVMN0VEm8I-RZaRSjKpyu5eoMGFm632BoC6fIQAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WHO \u003C\u002Fa>helps to understand how we react to different pathogens\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Why is that good?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Replicating the COVID spike protein – without the presence of the virus itself – allows the body to develop the specific antibody capable of fighting the pathogen – in advance. So by the time we meet the virus, our immune system has already been trained to recognise and efficiently fight it. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The below illustration helps to understand the concept. Although the body has only ever met a tiny part of the pathogen, it was still trained to fight it. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"302\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002FVaccine-antibody-WHO.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46821\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Only ever ‘seeing’ a tiny part of the pathogen before, the body still has the right set of antibodies to fight it \u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Not exactly a new thing\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Discovered in the early 60s, our knowledge of the existence and purpose of mRNA is not a new thing. Despite the long history, scientists had a hard time figuring out how this messenger molecule can be utilised for medicine. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The first experiment in which scientists successfully managed to make mice’ bodies produce specific proteins by injecting mRNA took place in 1990. Although it proved the theoretical viability of the technology, they had to overcome two major obstacles: 1. the instability of the mRNA molecule in the body (so it doesn’t disappear within minutes) and its tendency to cause inflammatory responses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Fast forward 15 years to 2005 (and note that at this point we were actually in year 44 of the mRNA research already – so much for the myth of the vaccine developed in haste). The major breakthrough of Karikó’s team was that they discovered how it is possible to safely “wrap” the mRNA in just the right kind of lipid “coating” – a method addressing both major earlier hurdles. Finding the perfect lipid nanoparticles was also a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcen.acs.org\u002Fpharmaceuticals\u002Fdrug-delivery\u002FWithout-lipid-shells-mRNA-vaccines\u002F99\u002Fi8\" target=\"_blank\">30+ year story\u003C\u002Fa>, but that is for another day. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And yet, another 15 years go by with vigilant research until we arrive at 2020 and the COVID pandemic stopping the world as nothing we have ever seen before. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This novel crisis presented an unprecedented opportunity for the mRNA technology, diverting never-before-possible funds and opportunities to the field. The long depicted and neglected research segment of mRNA suddenly became the favourite, creating new vaccines seemingly overnight. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The pandemic and the success of the mRNA vaccines gave huge momentum to find possible applications. Here are what we can expect in the near future and mid-, and long-term. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What’s next? Short-term future: combined flu shots\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moderna launched the human trial for a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2021\u002F7\u002F7\u002F22566634\u002Fmoderna-mrna-flu-vaccine-trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">combined mRNA flu shot\u003C\u002Fa> in mid-2021. The promise of the technology is that it can be manufactured much faster than traditional flu vaccines, thus the jab could be more closely matched to the years’ actual pathogens. Moderna is not the only one, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sanofi and Translate Bio all have similar ventures underway. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The plan with the combined flu shots is to create a vaccine that prepares patients for all kinds of respiratory pathogens in one jab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Infectious diseases: malaria \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pfizer-BioNTech announced in 2021 that they would use part of their profit to develop a malaria vaccine using the same mRNA technology. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“Malaria is a complex infection caused by a parasite that evades recognition by the immune system, ” BioNTech Chief Executive and co-founder \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Fbusiness\u002Fhealthcare-pharmaceuticals\u002Fbiontech-aims-develop-mrna-based-malaria-vaccine-2021-07-26\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ugur Sahin told Reuters\u003C\u002Fa>, adding the goal is to develop a vaccine that makes the parasite visible and attackable from the very beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although the initial reports called for clinical testing in 2022, we have not yet seen new developments for the malaria mRNA vaccines recently. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What has been reported on the other hand is that the company started building an mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Rwanda, the first of such on the African continent. This is expected to be followed by the setting up of additional factories in Senegal and South Africa. According to the published info, the plants will manufacture COVID, malaria and HIV mRNA vaccines in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Infectious diseases: HIV \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“Two of Moderna’s mRNA-based HIV vaccines could start human trials this week, according to a new posting in The National Institutes of Health’s clinical trial registry. The Phase I study would test the vaccines’ safety, as well as collect basic data on whether they’re inducing any kind of immunity, but would still need to go through Phases II and III to see how effective they might be.” –\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.popsci.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fmoderna-mrna-hiv-vaccine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> said this 2021 report\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In reality, human trials have started slightly later, but\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fbiotech\u002Fmoderna-hits-gas-it-begins-dosing-second-hiv-vaccine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> they are underway\u003C\u002Fa>, and in-Africa clinical trials of the future vaccine \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.iavi.org\u002Fnews-resources\u002Fpress-releases\u002F2022\u002Fiavi-and-moderna-launch-first-in-africa-clinical-trial-of-mrna-hiv-vaccine-development-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">started in May 2022\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Advanced melanoma, breast cancer and other solid tumours\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Following a successful trial in mice, BioNTech and Sanofi started testing the safety of a four-mRNA mixture on 231 people. The first \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjitc.bmj.com\u002Fcontent\u002F8\u002FSuppl_3\u002FA237.2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">preliminary results were reported here\u003C\u002Fa>, showing no serious side effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For now, the treatment is only suitable for tumours that are near the surface of the body, since the mRNAs must be directly injected into the tumours. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Pancreatic cancer\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“A new vaccine using the same mRNA technology as the Pfizer jab against COVID-19 could be a breakthrough in the fight against pancreatic cancer. In a promising early study conducted by BioNTech, half of the patients remained cancer-free 18 months after having their tumors removed and receiving the jabs.” – \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnypost.com\u002F2022\u002F06\u002F08\u002Fbreakthrough-vaccine-could-help-cure-pancreatic-cancer\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">was reported in June 2022\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The results showed that the vaccine could train the immune system to kill pancreatic cancer cells by boosting immune cells that target tumours. The trial was carried out on 16 patients, each of whom was given eight doses of the individualised vaccine made using the mRNA genetic code found in each of their tumours. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Vaccines preventing skin cancer\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here is another \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Finterestingengineering.com\u002Fscientists-are-developing-a-new-mrna-vaccine-that-could-protect-against-skin-cancer\" target=\"_blank\">fascinating line of research\u003C\u002Fa> from the Oregon State University. The research was based on a protein within the thioredoxin antioxidant system called TR1. This protein is believed to be capable of preventing oxidative stress on melanocytes, the cells in the skin that are triggered by the sun’s UV radiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In a study using mice, the researchers removed TR1 from their antioxidant systems to evaluate how the protein affected the protection of melanocytes. They found that without TR1, melanocyte proliferation was significantly reduced. They thus concluded that TR1 directly affects melanocytes, which are responsible for preventing skin cancer, and that if a vaccine could generate more TR1s it could protect against sun-induced UV damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Maybe, in the not-so-far future, we can get an annual vaccine for added sun protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Individual inherited genetic problems\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftoday.uconn.edu\u002F2022\u002F06\u002Fbreaking-barriers-the-first-patient-in-the-world-receives-moderna-mrna-trial-infusion-for-glycogen-storage-disease-at-uconn-health\u002F#\">new clinical trial is r\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftoday.uconn.edu\u002F2022\u002F06\u002Fbreaking-barriers-the-first-patient-in-the-world-receives-moderna-mrna-trial-infusion-for-glycogen-storage-disease-at-uconn-health\u002F#\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">u\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftoday.uconn.edu\u002F2022\u002F06\u002Fbreaking-barriers-the-first-patient-in-the-world-receives-moderna-mrna-trial-infusion-for-glycogen-storage-disease-at-uconn-health\u002F#\">nning\u003C\u002Fa> to find out whether an mRNA infusion could instruct the body to make the protein that is missing in people with a certain metabolic disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“Moderna has been researching the use of mRNA for the potential treatment of the metabolic disorder Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSD-Ia) caused by an enzyme deficiency where the liver fails to break down glycogen into glucose, causing the body’s blood sugar levels to drop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Where do we stand now?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We see that mRNA technology has immense potential. Billions of doses of mRNA vaccines have been administered across the globe in the past two years, accelerating the field by decades. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":743,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>The mRNA technology holds immense promise for not just treating COVID, but also fighting cancer, infectious diseases  and inherited genetic problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",46820,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,238,240,69,5],[748,749,750,751,752,271,753,754,755,756,757,758,759,272],7591,7592,3085,7593,7594,7595,3685,7596,6081,7597,6087,659,[76,77,280],[],[763,764,765],2637,3167,3339,[767,53,92,93,94,95,96,97,294,296,98,99,768,769,770,771,772,326,773,774,775,776,777,778,779,327,104,105,334],"post-46818","tag-messenger-rna","tag-cancer-vaccine","tag-covid19","tag-malaria","tag-malaria-vaccine","tag-hiv-vaccine","tag-vaccine-research","tag-pancreatic-cancer","tag-vaccine","tag-pancreatic-cancer-vaccine","tag-hiv","tag-cancer-research",{"id":744,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":108,"media_details":781,"post":729,"source_url":803},{"width":338,"height":339,"file":782,"sizes":783,"image_meta":802},"2022\u002F07\u002Ftmf_mRNA-vaccine.png",{"medium":784,"large":787,"thumbnail":790,"medium_large":793,"1536x1536":794,"2048x2048":797},{"file":785,"width":344,"height":345,"mime-type":119,"source_url":786},"tmf_mRNA-vaccine-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002Ftmf_mRNA-vaccine-370x208.png",{"file":788,"width":349,"height":350,"mime-type":119,"source_url":789},"tmf_mRNA-vaccine-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002Ftmf_mRNA-vaccine-768x432.png",{"file":791,"width":354,"height":354,"mime-type":119,"source_url":792},"tmf_mRNA-vaccine-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002Ftmf_mRNA-vaccine-150x150.png",{"file":788,"width":349,"height":350,"mime-type":119,"source_url":789},{"file":795,"width":359,"height":360,"mime-type":119,"source_url":796},"tmf_mRNA-vaccine-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002Ftmf_mRNA-vaccine-1536x864.png",{"file":798,"width":799,"height":800,"mime-type":119,"source_url":801},"tmf_mRNA-vaccine-2048x1152.png","2048","1152","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002Ftmf_mRNA-vaccine-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":147,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":147,"copyright":64,"focal_length":147,"iso":147,"shutter_speed":147,"title":64,"orientation":147},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F07\u002Ftmf_mRNA-vaccine.png",{"cta_type":151,"cta_color":64,"related_books":805,"related_posts_footer":808,"related_posts":16,"subtitle":64},[806,807,372],24765,37033,[809,810,811],14308,28693,45277,{"yoast_wpseo_title":739,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":813,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":737},"The mRNA technology holds immense promise for not just treating COVID, but also fighting cancer, infectious diseases and inherited genetic problems.",{"self":815,"collection":820,"about":822,"author":824,"replies":826,"version-history":829,"predecessor-version":833,"wp:featuredmedia":837,"wp:attachment":840,"wp:term":843,"curies":854},[816],{"href":817,"targetHints":818},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F46818",{"allow":819},[27],[821],{"href":177},[823],{"href":180},[825],{"embeddable":41,"href":183},[827],{"embeddable":41,"href":828},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=46818",[830],{"count":831,"href":832},12,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F46818\u002Frevisions",[834],{"id":835,"href":836},46864,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F46818\u002Frevisions\u002F46864",[838],{"embeddable":41,"href":839},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F46820",[841],{"href":842},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=46818",[844,846,848,850,852],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":845},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=46818",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":847},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=46818",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":849},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=46818",{"taxonomy":211,"embeddable":41,"href":851},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=46818",{"taxonomy":214,"embeddable":41,"href":853},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=46818",[855],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":857,"date":858,"date_gmt":859,"guid":860,"modified":862,"modified_gmt":863,"slug":864,"status":52,"type":53,"link":865,"title":866,"content":868,"excerpt":870,"author":440,"featured_media":872,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":873,"categories":874,"tags":878,"project_category":899,"contact_email_category":900,"yst_prominent_words":901,"class_list":920,"better_featured_image":945,"acf":966,"yoast_meta":974,"_links":977},29929,"2020-09-10T10:00:00","2020-09-10T08:00:00",{"rendered":861},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=29929&_wpnonce=b22c681ae4&status=auto-draft&type=post","2021-04-19T10:45:48","2021-04-19T08:45:48","the-top-100-digital-health-companies-an-infographic","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-top-100-digital-health-companies-an-infographic",{"rendered":867},"The Top 100 Digital Health Companies: An Infographic",{"rendered":869,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>According to some estimates, the global digital health market is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statista.com\u002Fstatistics\u002F1092869\u002Fglobal-digital-health-market-size-forecast\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">expected to exceed $504.4 billion by 2025\u003C\u002Fa>; that’s a nearly six-fold increase from its $86.4 billion 2018 valuation. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated both the adoption of and the innovation in digital health and will propel this growth in the coming years. The current situation led to the widespread \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">adoption of telemedicine\u003C\u002Fa>; people are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-apps-to-use-during-the-covid-19-quarantine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">using digital health apps\u003C\u002Fa> to stay physically and mentally healthy while indoors; governments are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-data-privacy-during-a-pandemic\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">promoting contact tracing apps\u003C\u002Fa> to limit the virus’ spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This increased adoption of digital health solutions entices many startups to branch into digital health. Already in only a small (but significant) fraction of the digital health market, where startups use artificial intelligence in drug discovery, we find \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.benchsci.com\u002Fstartups-using-artificial-intelligence-in-drug-discovery\" target=\"_blank\">over 230 of such companies\u003C\u002Fa> – and more keep popping up. But keeping track of those is hard. And to keep track of the promising companies in the digital health field as a whole is even harder. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>As such, The Medical Futurist decided to compile \u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002FTop-100-Digital-Health-Companies-2020_infographic.png\"\u003C\u002Fa>the 100 most promising digital health companies in an easy-to-understand infographic\u003C\u002Fa>, which you can see below:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F02\u002FTop-100-Digital-Health-Companies-2020_infographic.png\"\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F0821__top100_2020_infographic-02-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29771\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F0821__top100_2020_infographic-02-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F0821__top100_2020_infographic-02-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F0821__top100_2020_infographic-02-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F0821__top100_2020_infographic-02-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F0821__top100_2020_infographic-02.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, such a list can only be subjective by nature. Below, we discuss our selection criteria and follow up with three examples of companies that feature in this list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Our selection criteria\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Firstly, we must stress that we do not accept any sponsorship or financial support. We do not have any interest or connection in any of the companies listed in the infographic\u003C\u002Fstrong> either. Additionally, grouping is not done in any particular order. Rather, companies are grouped according to the technological trend they belong to the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Our analyses are based on discussions we have with actors across the digital health landscape. From startups through government authorities to prominent innovators, we determined the major features that a company venturing into digital health must possess in order to hold potential in the field. The key values we suggest are as follows:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>Mindset for innovation \u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Truly disruptive technology\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Viable business model \u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Clear dedication to digital health\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F100_why-dont-digital-health-investors-finance-hard-topics-768x432.png\" alt=\"digital health investors\" class=\"wp-image-24505\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F100_why-dont-digital-health-investors-finance-hard-topics-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F100_why-dont-digital-health-investors-finance-hard-topics-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F100_why-dont-digital-health-investors-finance-hard-topics-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F100_why-dont-digital-health-investors-finance-hard-topics-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F100_why-dont-digital-health-investors-finance-hard-topics.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With these values in mind, we select those companies that fulfil these criteria. Over the years we came across thousands of digital health companies that propose innovative solutions for pressing issues within the healthcare sector. However, not many hold up their end of their bargain in this volatile sector. Several disappear as fast as they show up, while others refocus their business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There’s also the issue of hyping one’s own technology so as to drive investments but only to prove that they were scams. This is notoriously exemplified by \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhere-does-blood-testing-stand-today\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos scam\u003C\u002Fa>. And such cautionary tales jeopardise otherwise promising tech, as we explored in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-ventures-that-flew-too-close-to-the-sun\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a recent article\u003C\u002Fa>. If expectations are lowered and the CEOs are more truthful, these technologies are not just PR-hype. As such, it’s quite challenging to stay ahead of the buzzwords and hype that emanate from every direction; hence we came with our recommendations for the top 100 digital health companies to look out for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Let’s take three examples\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now that we’ve discussed our selection criteria, let’s take a look at 3 of the companies that feature in our infographic. We’ll see how studies back Alivecor’s technology to make it reliable and trustworthy. We’ll also come across FabRx, a company that innovates in its field with sci-fi-like technology. Finally we’ll see how a Tech Giant with ample resources is bringing A.I. to the practice of healthcare through clinical collaborations\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Alivecor: studies backing a technology\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.alivecor.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Alivecor\u003C\u002Fa> specialises in handheld, connected ECG devices that fit in the user’s pocket. Long gone are the printed ECG readings requiring bulky carts. Alivecor’s \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Flets-put-the-best-to-the-test-our-kardiamobile6l-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">KardiaMobile line of devices\u003C\u002Fa> offer clinical-grade, FDA-approved ECG monitoring to patients anywhere as long as they have their phone to visualise the readings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F12\u002F128_tmf_illu-768x432.png\" alt=\"Kardia ECG evolution\" class=\"wp-image-25529\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F12\u002F128_tmf_illu-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F12\u002F128_tmf_illu-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F12\u002F128_tmf_illu-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F12\u002F128_tmf_illu-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F12\u002F128_tmf_illu.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In fact, the company produced the first digital health device that Dr. Meskó saw and used and it represents \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbig-kardia-review-evolution-digital-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the evolution of digital health\u003C\u002Fa>. But it’s not nostalgia that gets Alivecor in this list. The company’s co-founder, David Albert, started experimenting with handheld, wireless ECG devices in the late 90s. The company he co-founded now produces affordable ECG devices that democratise access to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Additionally, Alivecor boasts \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.alivecor.com\u002Fresearch\" target=\"_blank\">85 peer-reviewed clinical researches\u003C\u002Fa> under its belt. This means that not only is the company dedicated to its innovative vision, but its technology is backed by studies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. FabRx:\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cstrong>innovating the field with a sci-fi-like technology\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Integrating disruptive technologies in a tightly-controlled industry as the pharmaceutical one is no easy task. It might even be more so with a technology like 3D-printed medication that upends the traditional manufacturing and distribution chains altogether. But U.K.-based \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fabrx.co.uk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">FabRx\u003C\u002Fa> is up for the challenge. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company is at the forefront of innovation, pushing their technology’s limits further and backing it up with research. In 2019, FabRx’s directors \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprint.com\u002F261126\u002Fresearchers-3d-print-six-different-drugs-multi-layered-polypill\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">participated in a study\u003C\u002Fa> that successfully 3D-printed 6 different drugs into a multilayered polypill, and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mdpi.com\u002F1999-4923\u002F11\u002F6\u002F274\u002Fhtm\" target=\"_blank\">concluded\u003C\u002Fa> that it can “improve personalisation for patients.” These polypills are made to contain several drugs with the aim to help patients adhere to their regimen and better manage their medications. Such a single pill with multiple medications can prove to be a boon for patients suffering from debilitating conditions like HIV and tuberculosis and need to concurrently manage multiple medications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F3D_printed__pills_Fabrx-768x450.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29933\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F3D_printed__pills_Fabrx-768x450.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F3D_printed__pills_Fabrx.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.springwise.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Again in 2019, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fabrx.co.uk\u002F2019\u002F04\u002F11\u002Ffabrx-completes-a-clinical-study-for-the-treatment-of-a-rare-metabolic-disease-in-children-using-3d-printed-dosage-forms\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">they completed a clinical study\u003C\u002Fa> using their 3D-printed medicines to treat a rare children’s metabolic disorder. Their technology enabled the on demand production of tailored medicine dosage. Additionally, they could produce pills of various dosages, colours and flavours to evaluate acceptance and therapy control among participants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In April 2020, FabRx \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fabrx.co.uk\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F06\u002Ffabrxs-pharmaceutical-3d-printer-for-personalised-medicines-m3dimaker-is-now-available\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">released M3DIMAKER\u003C\u002Fa>, or the first pharmaceutical 3D printer to manufacture personalised medicines. Their device allows the user to print according to their manufacturing needs, which in some cases means one-month’s medication (28 pills) in around 8 minutes! “I truly believe that we are one step closer to personalised medicine thanks to the M3DIMAKER,” \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fabrx.co.uk\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F06\u002Ffabrxs-pharmaceutical-3d-printer-for-personalised-medicines-m3dimaker-is-now-available\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said Dr. Alvaro Goyanes\u003C\u002Fa>, Director of Development at FabRx.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. DeepMind: bringing A.I. to the practice of healthcare through clinical collaborations\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>From \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-prosthetics-depends-on-a-i\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">enhancing prosthetics\u003C\u002Fa> through \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fartificial-intelligence-could-solve-alarm-fatigue-in-hospitals\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">eliminating alarm fatigue\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcan-we-eliminate-waiting-times-from-healthcare-forever\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reducing wait times\u003C\u002Fa>, the applications of artificial intelligence in the healthcare setting keep expanding. To bring these applications into the practice of healthcare, Google has the resources In 2019, the health team of DeepMind, Google’s A.I. branch, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdeepmind.com\u002Fblog\u002Fannouncements\u002Fdeepmind-health-joins-google-health\" target=\"_blank\">merged with Google Health\u003C\u002Fa> so as to “build products that support care teams and improve patient outcomes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Through clinical collaborations, Google Health is tapping into A.I.’s potential to help in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fai.googleblog.com\u002F2020\u002F08\u002Fusing-machine-learning-to-detect.html\" target=\"_blank\">enhancing colonoscopy screenings\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fai.googleblog.com\u002F2018\u002F05\u002Fdeep-learning-for-electronic-health.html\" target=\"_blank\">predicting patient outcomes\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabout.google\u002Fstories\u002Fseeingpotential\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">averting blindness\u003C\u002Fa>, and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fai.googleblog.com\u002Fsearch\u002Flabel\u002FHealth\" target=\"_blank\">more\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"348\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002FGoogle-Health-Google-DeepMind-768x348.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25895\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002FGoogle-Health-Google-DeepMind-768x348.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002FGoogle-Health-Google-DeepMind-512x232.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002FGoogle-Health-Google-DeepMind.jpg 1044w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.neowin.net\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s also continuously forging ahead with novel A.I.-based solutions. In 2019, they \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdeepmind.com\u002Fblog\u002Farticle\u002Fpredicting-patient-deterioration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">published their findings\u003C\u002Fa> of how A.I. can predict acute kidney injury 48 hours in advance and help prevent patient deterioration. In early 2020, the A.I. branch \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pulselive.co.ke\u002Fbi\u002Ftech\u002Fgoogles-deepmind-created-an-ai-for-spotting-breast-cancer-that-can-outperform-human\u002F5sc7d8r\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">created an algorithm\u003C\u002Fa> for breast cancer diagnosis. The A.I. even outperformed all human radiologists it was pitted against, on average by 11.5% on pre-selected datasets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company is showing no signs of slowing down in the medical A.I. sector and we don’t expect it to. The global market size for artificial intelligence in healthcare \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statista.com\u002Fstatistics\u002F826993\u002Fhealth-ai-market-value-worldwide\u002F\">is expected to increase\u003C\u002Fa> its $1 billion 2016 value to more than $28 billion in 2025. With its A.I. expertise, Google certainly plans to remain a major player in this market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>97 more to go\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If the glimpse that we gave you on those 3 companies piqued your interest, then you’ll be happy to know that we have more! 97 more to be exact. Find them all in the list below, grouped according to their relevant fields:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"airtable-embed\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fairtable.com\u002Fembed\u002FshrVbJfeYEg3QF0Gj?backgroundColor=purple\" frameborder=\"0\" onmousewheel=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"1533\" style=\"background: transparent; border: 1px solid #ccc;\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-table\">\u003Ctable>\u003Ctbody>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>\u003Cstrong>Company name\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003Cstrong>Primary field\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003Cstrong>Secondary field\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>CELLINK\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>3D printing\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>FabRX\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>3D printing\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Natural Machines\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>3D printing\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Not Impossible Labs\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>3D printing\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>CloudMedX\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Diagnostics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Corti.AI\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Diagnostics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>DeepMind\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Diagnostics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Enlitic\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Diagnostics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Behold.AI\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Diagnostics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Ada Health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>MySense.AI\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Arterys\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Medical imaging\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Augmedix\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Curiscope\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Augmented reality\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Education\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Microsoft Hololens\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Augmented reality\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Education\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Antidote\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Clinical trials\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Butterfly Network\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Clarius\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>MC10\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Clinical trials\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Fitbit\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Fitness\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Misfit\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Fitness\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Wahoo\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Fitness\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Polar\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Fitness\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Garmin\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Fitness\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Acurable\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Dexcom\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>D-Eye\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Elvie\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Empatica\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Eyeque\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>HeraBeat\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Liftware\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Medtronic\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Muse\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Omron\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Philips\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Propeller Health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Viatom\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Withings\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>AioCare\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Nemura Medical\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>BeatO\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Oura\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Pilleve\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Medication management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Nima\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Nutrition\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Ekuore\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Portable diagnostic device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>EKO\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Digital health device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Oncompass Medicine\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Genomics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Clinical trials\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>23andme\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Genomics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Atlas Biomed\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Genomics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Dante Labs\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Genomics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>MyDNA\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Genomics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Thryve\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Genomics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Veritas\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Genomics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Diabeloop\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Imaware\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Lab testing\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Headspace\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Mental health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Calm\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Mental health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Omada Health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Patients Like Me\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Smart Patients\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Urbandroid\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>OneRemission\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Florence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Oscar Health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Circulation\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Medical transportation\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Zipline\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Medical transportation\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>AdhereTech\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Medication management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>etectRX\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Medication management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Alivecor\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Portable diagnostic device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Medwand\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Portable diagnostic device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Hearscope\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Portable diagnostic device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Mocacare\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Portable diagnostic device\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Babylon Health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Skinvision\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Woebot\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Maven\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Diagnostics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>iDoc24\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>MySugr\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Natural Cycles\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Ginger.IO\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Mental health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>INTouch Health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Robotics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>AmWell\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Ava Health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Bonzun\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Sensely\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Remote care\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Cyberdyne\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Robotics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Exoskeleton\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Ekso\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Robotics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Exoskeleton\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Rewalk Robotics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Robotics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Exoskeleton\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Hocoma\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Robotics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Rehabilitation\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Intuitive Surgical\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Robotics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Veebot\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Robotics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Xenex\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Robotics\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Medical Realities\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Virtual reality\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Education\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Osso VR\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Virtual reality\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Education\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Surgical Theater\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Virtual reality\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Education\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Firsthand Technology\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Virtual reality\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Virtually Better\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Virtual reality\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Health management\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Psious\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Virtual reality\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Mental health\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>AppliedVR\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Virtual reality\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n",{"rendered":871,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>The Medical Futurist decided to compile the 100 most promising digital health companies in an easy-to-understand infographic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",30023,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[875,239,876,240,241,242,69,877,243,244,245,5,247,248,445,446,249,250],498,493,490,[879,880,457,881,750,882,883,884,885,886,602,887,888,889,890,891,892,893,894,895,269,896,897,449,898],138,6093,1083,207,1274,262,1450,566,630,6049,289,4471,664,6051,377,6057,450,6055,6089,6091,[277,278,280],[],[902,903,904,905,906,907,908,471,909,472,910,911,912,913,914,915,916,917,918,919],2897,5997,5999,3239,6001,3841,6003,4449,1715,5505,1725,5983,1801,5985,1805,5987,2107,5989,[921,53,92,93,94,95,96,922,295,923,296,297,298,98,924,299,300,301,99,303,304,483,484,305,306,925,926,494,927,770,928,929,930,931,932,640,933,934,935,936,937,938,939,940,941,324,942,943,486,944,331,332,334],"post-29929","category-3d-printing","category-augmented-reality","category-future-of-pharma","tag-alivecor","tag-google-health","tag-digital-health-companies","tag-digital-health","tag-disruption","tag-genomics","tag-health-management","tag-clinical-trials","tag-digital-technology","tag-top100","tag-innovation","tag-remote-care","tag-kardia","tag-m3dimaker","tag-robotics-2","tag-fabrx","tag-vr","tag-deepmind","tag-polypill","tag-google-a-i",{"id":872,"alt_text":946,"caption":946,"description":947,"media_type":108,"media_details":948,"post":857,"source_url":965},"TOP100 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Top 100 Digital Health Companies: An Infographic - The Medical Futurist","The Medical Futurist decided to compile the 100 most promising digital health companies in an easy-to-understand infographic.",{"self":978,"collection":983,"about":985,"author":987,"replies":989,"version-history":992,"predecessor-version":996,"wp:featuredmedia":1000,"wp:attachment":1003,"wp:term":1006,"curies":1017},[979],{"href":980,"targetHints":981},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F29929",{"allow":982},[27],[984],{"href":177},[986],{"href":180},[988],{"embeddable":41,"href":542},[990],{"embeddable":41,"href":991},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=29929",[993],{"count":994,"href":995},21,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F29929\u002Frevisions",[997],{"id":998,"href":999},33925,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F29929\u002Frevisions\u002F33925",[1001],{"embeddable":41,"href":1002},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F30023",[1004],{"href":1005},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=29929",[1007,1009,1011,1013,1015],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1008},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=29929",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1010},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=29929",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1012},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=29929",{"taxonomy":211,"embeddable":41,"href":1014},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=29929",{"taxonomy":214,"embeddable":41,"href":1016},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=29929",[1018],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1020,"date":1021,"date_gmt":1022,"guid":1023,"modified":1025,"modified_gmt":1026,"slug":1027,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1028,"title":1029,"content":1031,"excerpt":1033,"author":61,"featured_media":1035,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1036,"categories":1037,"tags":1038,"project_category":1047,"contact_email_category":1048,"yst_prominent_words":1049,"class_list":1050,"better_featured_image":1060,"acf":1096,"yoast_meta":1105,"_links":1108},23407,"2019-03-23T14:00:39","2019-03-23T12:00:39",{"rendered":1024},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=23407&_wpnonce=721ebed32f&status=auto-draft&type=post","2023-02-10T11:40:46","2023-02-10T10:40:46","nanotechnology-fiction","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnanotechnology-fiction",{"rendered":1030},"Nanotechnology Will Break The Curse Running Through Generations",{"rendered":1032,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2019. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd> \u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A fictional tale about the healing power of technology\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The mutation of the CDH1 gene determines the fate of\ngenerations of men in a Czech small town. The great-grandfather\ndies unexpectedly upon returning home from the trenches of the first World War\n– he survives the bullets of the Italian front\nbut gives in after a pint of beer and schnitzel. The grandfather was already diagnosed\nwith an illness, gastric cancer, which required the removal of his entire\nstomach – but his life couldn’t be saved either. His son was luckier, he was\ndiagnosed in time with an early stage hereditary diffuse gastric cancer and had\nendoscopic surgery for nipping the\ncondition in the bud. But what will the grandson do? That’s when nanotechnology\ncomes into the picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Surviving war trenches, dying from beer and schnitzel\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Janek left a sleepy Czech town in the uniform of the Austro-Hungarian Joint Army in the summer of 1915. His wife and mother couldn’t stop crying for weeks before he left, so by the time they escorted him to the train station, they couldn’t even have tears anymore. He went off to war with their photos, a pack of cigarettes in his trench coat, and a promise that by the time he would come back, his son would be born. His wife, Annie, was six months into her pregnancy. The train hauled and spewed smoke all over the station, and Janek vanished in the cloud of the vehicle heading to Italy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Half a year passed by, and Janek finally received the authorization to go on leave – to see his baby son back in his hometown. His bony figure was clothed in the shreddy and dingy trenchcoat, but at least he survived countless attacks and he could still carry a single cigarette, as well as the photos of his loved ones in his pocket. He returned home with those as his only possessions. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Annie and his mother were all over him: they prepared the best meals they could from their almost empty food storage room, and they expected him to indulge in fine beer and great cuisine. \u003Cstrong>Although he had no appetite at all (which was considered a good sign in times of war) and felt pain in his stomach all the time, he had a beer and schnitzel while watching his baby son sleep. But after a couple of moments, he felt unbearable pain in his stomach and after hours of agonizing, his breath became air\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"457\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F1926-JOSEF-SUDEK-Prague-Cityscape-Horse-Carriage-512x457.jpg\" alt=\"nanotechnology\" class=\"wp-image-23420\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F1926-JOSEF-SUDEK-Prague-Cityscape-Horse-Carriage-512x457.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F1926-JOSEF-SUDEK-Prague-Cityscape-Horse-Carriage.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.mfa.org\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Growing\nup without a father runs in the family\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It never turned out what exactly happened to Janek. His son, Fredrik heard the story countless times and missed his practically unknown father dearly. Shortly after he reached the age of recruitment, Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia and life became utterly regulated according to Nazi rule. Fortunately, Fredrik survived the Second World War, even the street fights of the Prague Uprising at the end of the war. After the years of destruction and constant deprivation, times got more relaxed. He worked in the local beer brewery and in his spare time, helped rebuild houses across town. He married the blond Agneska with laughter that could also be heard in the next town. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When their third child, Jirí was born, into the setting of socialist Czechoslovakia, he started to feel some pain in his stomach. It came first as a breeze on a chilly November day. Then he started to lose weight and parallelly his appetite, too. Agneska asked him to go to the hospital and get it checked out. He refused and said she was overreacting. After a couple of weeks, he went to the doctor without having to be asked. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>His face was as pale as dismayed his mood. \u003Cstrong>When the physician said he had gastric cancer, he was not surprised, but when the specialist added that the only way to extend his life was a full stomach removal, he went into panic mode. How can you live without a stomach? In the end, his family convinced Fredrik to have the operation. The post-surgery recovery was painful and never seemed to end, but he managed. The end came when he suddenly got an infection in the hospital\u003C\u002Fstrong>. His immune system was not strong enough to survive it. Jirí had to grow up without a father just as Fredrik.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FCancer-Runs-In-The-Family-512x384.jpg\" alt=\"nanotechnology\" class=\"wp-image-23411\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: www.cancergenetics.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The benevolent shadows of gastric\ncancer\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the youngest child of the family, Jirí always had a special place in his mother’s heart – he could practically do anything he wanted. While in socialist Czechoslovakia every youngster’s dream was emigrating to the West, Jirí in his twenties was rather in love with car racing. The sound of howling engines and the smell of newly painted vehicles always had a magnetic effect on him, even in his fifties. That’s when he ended up in hospital after not being able to take a bend in the Tatras. Luckily, his injuries were rather bruises, which healed relatively fast, however, his doctor told him that he should get checked out for signs of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer as his father lost his life due to that disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>After the tests came back positive for the condition being in its early stages, he was crushed. Is it fatal? How many years does he have left? Who will take care of his sons and what will happen to his cars? His doctor told him that they luckily caught the diseases early, thus he doesn’t have to have his stomach removed, they could do an endoscopic submucosal dissection to remove the tumor as it has not entered the muscle layer yet. The surgery went well, but his physician recommended that\u003C\u002Fstrong> his sons \u003Cstrong>take a genetic test for the CDH1 gene mutation that causes the particularly silent, deadly disease.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"233\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FPathology_Hereditary-diffuse-gastric-cancer-512x233.jpg\" alt=\"nanotechnology\" class=\"wp-image-23409\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FPathology_Hereditary-diffuse-gastric-cancer-512x233.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FPathology_Hereditary-diffuse-gastric-cancer-768x349.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FPathology_Hereditary-diffuse-gastric-cancer.jpg 1049w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fgut.bmj.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Nanotechnology will step in\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Jirí’s\nsons, Kamil and Bruno can be aware of\nexactly what the condition means and what their risks for the disease are.\nStomach cancer is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bostonglobe.com\u002Flifestyle\u002F2013\u002F07\u002F22\u002Ffamily-members-with-mutant-gene-opt-for-stomach-removal-surgery\u002Frpkp2im5zV9l0ae5vy6cEN\u002Fstory.html\">the\nsecond-leading cause of cancer death in the world. In the United States, more\nthan 21,500 cases are diagnosed annually, and half of those patients will die\u003C\u002Fa>.\nAlthough hereditary diffuse gastric cancer is relatively rare: around 150\nfamilies worldwide have been identified as carrying the gene mutation –\nalthough countless families haven’t been tested yet. Carriers are at extremely\nhigh risk – between 85-87 percent – of getting stomach cancer – and dying\nwithin the next five years. The disease has only a 28 percent survival rate. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What options do Kamil and Bruno have? Beyond genetic screening, constant monitoring, and endoscopic submucosal dissection, nanotechnology will join forces fighting against stomach cancer\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003Cstrong>In the coming years, microrobots as tiny as hair might be sent to the stomach in tiny digital capsules. When they arrive at the required place, they might precisely dose medication or help destroy cancerous cells. In the far away future, these teeny-tiny robots could even get so small that it would be difficult to see them with a human eye – they might even get a microscopic size and carry out tasks at the cellular level.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, we are not there yet – and it might take many decades until something like a nanobot appears. In one of the most forward-thinking experiments involving a simulation of the human esophagus and stomach, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fnews.mit.edu\u002F2016\u002Fingestible-origami-robot-0512\">researchers at MIT, the University of Sheffield, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology have demonstrated a tiny origami robot\u003C\u002Fa> that can unfold itself from a swallowed capsule and, steered by external magnetic fields, crawl across the stomach wall to remove a swallowed button battery or patch a wound. Imagine a future where a patient swallows a digital pill with such a monitorable origami robot placed inside of it, which would place drugs in the right place of the stomach. No need for opening up the patient, not even for an endoscope. Hopefully, nanotechnology will develop fast enough so that Kamil’s and Bruno’s sons would not have to grow up without their fathers. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1034,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>A fictional tale about the healing power of technology\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mutation of the CDH1 gene determines the fate of generations of men in a Czech small town. The great-grandfather dies unexpectedly upon returning home from the trenches of the first World War – he survives the bullets of the Italian front but gives in after a pint of beer and schnitzel. The grandfather was already diagnosed with an illness, gastric cancer, which required the removal of his entire stomach – but his life couldn’t be saved either. His son was luckier, he was diagnosed in time with an early stage hereditary diffuse gastric cancer and had endoscopic surgery for nipping the condition in the bud. But what will the grandson do? That’s when nanotechnology comes into the picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",23408,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[5,446],[1039,1040,1041,271,1042,1043,1044,252,889,1045,1046],383,423,425,584,257,1283,329,381,[],[],[284,287],[1051,53,92,93,94,95,96,99,484,1052,1053,1054,326,1055,1056,1057,307,935,1058,1059],"post-23407","tag-science-fiction","tag-surgery","tag-technology-2","tag-fiction","tag-genetic-disorder","tag-generation","tag-nanotechnology","tag-sci-fi",{"id":1035,"alt_text":10,"caption":1061,"description":64,"media_type":108,"media_details":1062,"post":1020,"source_url":1095},"Source: https:\u002F\u002Fbpac.org.nz",{"width":1063,"height":1064,"file":1065,"sizes":1066,"image_meta":1093},2000,1000,"2019\u002F03\u002FHereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer.jpg",{"medium":1067,"large":1071,"thumbnail":1075,"medium_large":1078,"1536x1536":1079,"large_old_512x256":1082,"thumbnail_old_150x150":1086,"medium_old_370x208":1087,"medium_large_old_768x384":1088,"large_old_512x256_old_512x256":1090},{"file":1068,"width":117,"height":118,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1070},"Hereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-370x208.jpg","image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FHereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-370x208.jpg",{"file":1072,"width":124,"height":1073,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1074},"Hereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-768x384.jpg",384,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FHereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-768x384.jpg",{"file":1076,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1077},"Hereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FHereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-150x150.jpg",{"file":1072,"width":124,"height":1073,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1074},{"file":1080,"width":136,"height":124,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1081},"Hereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-1536x768.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FHereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-1536x768.jpg",{"file":1083,"width":445,"height":1084,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1085},"Hereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-512x256.jpg",256,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FHereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer-512x256.jpg",{"file":1076,"width":354,"height":354,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1077},{"file":1068,"width":344,"height":345,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1070},{"file":1072,"width":349,"height":1089,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1074},"384",{"file":1083,"width":1091,"height":1092,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1085},"512","256",{"aperture":147,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":147,"copyright":64,"focal_length":147,"iso":147,"shutter_speed":147,"title":64,"orientation":147,"keywords":1094},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FHereditary-Diffuse-Gastric-Cancer.jpg",{"related_posts":1097,"related_posts_footer":1101,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16},[1098,1099,1100],14367,14500,17474,[1102,1103,1104],15602,13990,13204,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1106,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1107,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1028},"Nanotechnology Will Break The Curse Running Through Generations - The Medical Futurist","A fictional tale about the power of innovation from surgery to nanotechnology: how generations could have had the same illness with utterly different fates.",{"self":1109,"collection":1114,"about":1116,"author":1118,"replies":1120,"version-history":1123,"predecessor-version":1126,"wp:featuredmedia":1130,"wp:attachment":1133,"wp:term":1136,"curies":1147},[1110],{"href":1111,"targetHints":1112},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F23407",{"allow":1113},[27],[1115],{"href":177},[1117],{"href":180},[1119],{"embeddable":41,"href":183},[1121],{"embeddable":41,"href":1122},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=23407",[1124],{"count":831,"href":1125},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F23407\u002Frevisions",[1127],{"id":1128,"href":1129},49223,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F23407\u002Frevisions\u002F49223",[1131],{"embeddable":41,"href":1132},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F23408",[1134],{"href":1135},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=23407",[1137,1139,1141,1143,1145],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1138},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=23407",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1140},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=23407",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1142},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=23407",{"taxonomy":211,"embeddable":41,"href":1144},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=23407",{"taxonomy":214,"embeddable":41,"href":1146},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=23407",[1148],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":809,"date":1150,"date_gmt":1151,"guid":1152,"modified":1154,"modified_gmt":1155,"slug":1156,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1157,"title":1158,"content":1160,"excerpt":1162,"author":61,"featured_media":1164,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":16,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1165,"categories":1166,"tags":1167,"project_category":1173,"contact_email_category":1174,"yst_prominent_words":1175,"class_list":1192,"better_featured_image":1199,"acf":1228,"yoast_meta":1229,"_links":1232},"2016-11-03T16:45:44","2016-11-03T14:45:44",{"rendered":1153},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=14308","2021-12-06T01:13:56","2021-12-06T00:13:56","nanotechnology-in-medicine","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnanotechnology-in-medicine",{"rendered":1159},"Nanotechnology in Medicine: Getting Smaller and Smarter",{"rendered":1161,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\"> \u003Ctbody> \u003Ctr> \u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\"> \u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2016. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp> \u003C\u002Ftd> \u003C\u002Ftr> \u003C\u002Ftbody> \u003C\u002Ftable> \u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We are living at the dawn of the nanomedicine age. I believe that nanoparticles and nanodevices will soon operate as precise drug delivery systems, cancer treatment tools or tiny surgeons. Let me introduce you the brave, new world of nanotechnology in medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"4 Ways Nanotechnology Will Change Our Lives\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fdn2UjBIsrcI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Nanorobots having nanobreakfast with your red and white blood cells\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When I was a kid, one of my favorite TV series was a French animation\u003Cem>, Il était un fois… la vie (1986)\u003C\u002Fem>. I found it fascinating how the creators imagined the human body as a construction where tiny cars floated through the human veins, grab-cranes worked on teeth and bacteria as tiny monsters tried to attack innocent screaming lady-cells, while white blood cells defended the body as well-trained soldiers. Somehow similarly, the 1966 movie, \u003Cem>Fantastic Voyage \u003C\u002Fem>explored shrinking a medical team to microscopic size in order to save a renowned scientist’s life. The Argonauts travel through the bloodstream into the brain where the crew uses a laser gun to blast away a blood clot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffantastic-voyage.jpg\" alt=\"Fantastic Voyage - Nanorobots\" class=\"wp-image-14311\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffantastic-voyage.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffantastic-voyage-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffantastic-voyage-512x340.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffantastic-voyage-377x250.jpg 377w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now, imagine that all this could happen in real life… How about a nanometer sized cage that lets out insulin but doesn’t get attacked by our immune system? How about a nanorobot delivering dopamine directly to the brainstem for treating Parkinson’s disease? And how about injecting chemotherapy into cancer cells while keeping healthy cells untouched? Could you imagine microscopic robots inside you sending alerts to your smartphone that a disease is about to develop in your body? In such a scenario, the word symptom would be completely eradicated from our medical dictionaries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Sounds like an idea out of a science-fiction novel? \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you think that nanorobots and engineered nanoparticles are only part of the world created by Jules Verne or by Greg Egan in his novel, \u003Cem>Diaspora\u003C\u002Fem>, you might not heard about the winners of the 2016 Nobel Prize in chemistry. It was awarded to brilliant scientists \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FJean-Pierre_Sauvage\">Jean-Pierre Sauvage\u003C\u002Fa>, Sir \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FFraser_Stoddart\">J.\u003C\u002Fa> Fraser Stoddart and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FBen_Feringa\">Bernard L. Feringa\u003C\u002Fa>, very simply for having developed molecules with controllable movements. As \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fgizmodo.com\u002Fnobel-prize-for-chemistry-awarded-to-creators-of-the-wo-1787435570\">Gizmodo\u003C\u002Fa> acknowledges, although molecular nanotechnology is still in its infancy, by awarding the Nobel Prize to these three scientists, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is acknowledging nanotechnology’s huge potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"870\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnobel-prize-in-chemistry-2016.jpg\" alt=\"2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry\" class=\"wp-image-14312\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnobel-prize-in-chemistry-2016.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnobel-prize-in-chemistry-2016-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnobel-prize-in-chemistry-2016-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnobel-prize-in-chemistry-2016-512x512.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnobel-prize-in-chemistry-2016-250x250.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>So, how did nanotechnology in medicine arrive at its current state and how will it change the notion of healthcare in the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>“Nano” means smaller than micro-sculptures on pin-point\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nanotechnology is hardly comprehensible by the average human mind, because it is in a completely different dimension. Somewhere at the molecular and atomic level. Do \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.telegraph.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Fpicturegalleries\u002Fhowaboutthat\u002F5505943\u002FArtist-Willard-Wigan-creates-micro-sculptures-that-fit-in-the-eye-of-a-needle.html?image=1\">you remember the micro-sculptures in the eye of a needle\u003C\u002Fa>? Compared to the nanometer, the basic unit of measurement in nanotechnology, these are still huge. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fsingularityhub.com\u002F2016\u002F05\u002F16\u002Fnanorobots-where-we-are-today-and-why-their-future-has-amazing-potential\u002F?ct=t(Newsletter_2014_07_177_17_2014)\">A nanometer is a million times smaller than the length of an ant.\u003C\u002Fa> A sheet of paper is about 100, 000 nanometers thick. The ratio of the Earth to a child’s marble is roughly the ratio of a meter to a nanometer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Essentially, nanotechnology comprises science, engineering and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. It is basically manipulating and controlling materials at the atomic and molecular level. Amazing, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"334\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcamels-on-pinpoint.jpg\" alt=\"Miniature Camels - Nanotechnology in Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-14314\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcamels-on-pinpoint.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcamels-on-pinpoint-768x295.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcamels-on-pinpoint-512x197.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcamels-on-pinpoint-458x176.jpg 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The Story of Nanotechnology in Medicine – From tiny “demons” to nanorobots in bloodstreams\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As part of an 1871 thought experiment Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell imagined tiny “demons” that could redirect atoms one at a time. However, it was a long way to go from there until the birth of nanotechnology. The term molecular engineering was actually coined by MIT professor Arthur Robert von Hippel in the 1950s. On the evening of December 29, 1959, the famous physicist Richard Feynman described in his after–dinner lecture at the annual meeting of the American Physical Society how the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica could be written on the head of a pin, and how all the world’s books could fit in a pamphlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Continuing the thought experiment, Kim Eric Drexler, an MIT undergraduate in the mid–1970s, envisioned that molecule–sized machines could manufacture almost anything. In his book, Drexler described nanotechnology’s future role in revolutionizing other areas of science and technology that would lead to breakthroughs in medicine, artificial intelligence, and astronomy. His idea of an “assembler” could “place atoms in almost any reasonable arrangement,” thus allowing us to build almost anything that the laws of nature will allow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcarbon-nanotubes-model.jpg\" alt=\"Carbon Nanotubes Model - Nanotechnology in Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-14315\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcarbon-nanotubes-model.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcarbon-nanotubes-model-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcarbon-nanotubes-model-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcarbon-nanotubes-model-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fcarbon-nanotubes-model-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Later, in 1991 carbon nanotubes were discovered, which are about 100 times stronger than steel only one–sixth their weight, and have unusual heat and conductivity characteristics. The \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.space.com\u002Ftopics\u002Fnasa-juno-jupiter-mission-news\">Juno spacecraft currently on its way to Jupiter\u003C\u002Fa> uses carbon nanostructure composite to provide electrical grounding, discharge static, and reduce weight. From the beginning it was inevitable that this technology would be used in medicine. Now, we are about to reach this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>All kinds of nano under the microscope\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nanotechnology has two basic strands. The first one is the Drexlerian molecule-sized machine, which is able to build and manipulate its environment at the atomic level. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fsingularityhub.com\u002F2016\u002F05\u002F16\u002Fnanorobots-where-we-are-today-and-why-their-future-has-amazing-potential\u002F?ct=t(Newsletter_2014_07_177_17_2014)\">The second one is “biological” nanotech\u003C\u002Fa>, which basically uses DNA and the machinery of life to create unique structures made of proteins or DNA (as a building material).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"599\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fant-with-microchip.jpg\" alt=\"Ant with Microchip - Nanotechnology in Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-14317\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fant-with-microchip.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fant-with-microchip-768x529.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fant-with-microchip-512x353.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fant-with-microchip-363x250.jpg 363w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) DNA-based origami robots\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the most forward–thinking experiments proved that \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.iflscience.com\u002Fhealth-and-medicine\u002Fdna-strands-used-create-origami-nanobots-inside-cockroaches\u002F\">DNA–based nanorobots can be inserted into a living cockroach\u003C\u002Fa> and later perform logical operations upon command such as releasing a molecule stored within it. Such nanorobots are also called origami robots since they can unfold and deliver drugs, could eventually be able to carry out complex programs including diagnoses or treatments. One of the most astonishing feats is the accuracy of delivery and control of these nanobots, which are equivalent to a computer system. The other one is that the same basic design principles that apply to typical full-size machine parts can also be applied to DNA.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-14320 size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Forigami-robot-made-from-pig-tissue.jpg\" alt=\"Origami Robot\" class=\"wp-image-14320\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Forigami-robot-made-from-pig-tissue.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Forigami-robot-made-from-pig-tissue-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Forigami-robot-made-from-pig-tissue-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Forigami-robot-made-from-pig-tissue-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Origami Robot Made From Pig Tissue Offers Non-Invasive Way To Retrieve Swallowed Batteries\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) Scallop-like microbots and nanoswimmers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Researchers from the Max Planck Institute have been experimenting with exceptionally \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.gizmag.com\u002Fscallop-microbots-swim-body-max-planck\u002F34589\u002F\">micro-sized – smaller than a millimeter – robots that literally swim through your bodily fluids \u003C\u002Fa>and could be used to deliver drugs or other medical relief in a highly-targeted way. These scallop-like microbots are designed to swim through non-Newtonian fluids, like your bloodstream, around your lymphatic system, or across the slippery goo on the surface of your eyeballs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.kurzweilai.net\u002Fmagnetically-controlled-nanoswimmer-could-deliver-drugs-via-bloodstream\">ETH Zurich and Technion researchers\u003C\u002Fa> have developed an elastic “nanoswimmer” polypyrrole (Ppy) nanowire about 15 micrometers (millionths of a meter) long and 200 nanometers thick that can move through biological fluid environments at almost 15 micrometers per second. The nanoswimmers might be programmed to deliver drugs and magnetically controlled to swim through the bloodstream to target cancer cells, for example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F09\u002Fnanobots.jpg\" alt=\"Nanobots - Nanotechnology in Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-14061\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F09\u002Fnanobots.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F09\u002Fnanobots-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F09\u002Fnanobots-512x384.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F09\u002Fnanobots-333x250.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3) Ant-like nanoengines\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ant–like robots are controlled magnetically, are very fast, can locate, and use tools. Moving through even flexible surfaces they can construct three–dimensional structures at an amazing pace. They could revolutionize both biotechnology and electronics manufacturing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.kurzweilai.net\u002Fthe-worlds-tiniest-most-powerful-nanoengine\">University of Cambridge researchers have developed the world’s tiniest engine\u003C\u002Fa>, made of gold nanoparticles bound together with temperature-responsive gel polymers, capable of a force per unit-weight nearly 100 times higher than any motor or muscle. Researchers named the nanomachine ANT, since as real ants, they produce large forces for their weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-14321 size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"613\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fpolymer-coated-gold-nanoparticles.jpg\" alt=\"Nanoparticles - Nanotechnology in Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-14321\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fpolymer-coated-gold-nanoparticles.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fpolymer-coated-gold-nanoparticles-768x541.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fpolymer-coated-gold-nanoparticles-512x361.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fpolymer-coated-gold-nanoparticles-355x250.jpg 355w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Exploding polymer-coated gold nanoparticles in the world’s tiniest engine (credit: Yi Ju\u002FUniversity of Cambridge NanoPhotonics)\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4) Sperm-inspired microrobots\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A team of researchers at the University of Twente (Netherlands) and German University in Cairo \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.kurzweilai.net\u002Fsperm-inspired-microrobots-controlled-by-magnetic-fields\">has developed sperm-inspired microrobots\u003C\u002Fa> called MagnetoSperm that can be controlled by weak oscillating magnetic fields. When the 322 micron-long robot is subjected to an oscillating field of less than five millitesla — about the strength of your touristy fridge magnet from Manhattan — it experiences a magnetic torque on its head, which causes its flagellum to oscillate and propel it forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>MagnetoSperm can be used to manipulate and assemble objects at nanoscales using an external source of magnetic field to control its motion. In the future, researchers hope to further scale down the size of the microrobot. The team is currently working on a method to generate a magnetic nanofiber that can be used as a flagellum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5) Bacteria-powered robots\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.kurzweilai.net\u002Felectrical-control-of-bacteria-powered-microrobots\">Drexel University engineers have developed a method\u003C\u002Fa> for using electric fields to help microscopic bacteria-powered robots detect obstacles in their environment and navigate around them. It means that robots navigate with the help of electric fields, and they can be programmed into getting to a certain point or changing its route or avoid\u002Fgo through objects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Bacteria-powered robots might bring amazing changes in healthcare, which include delivering medication exactly to the point where it is needed, manipulating stem cells to direct their growth, or building a microstructure, for example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fmultiple-obstacles-exp12.gif\" alt=\"Magnetic Bacteria - Nanotechnology in Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-14322\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6) Clottocyte nanorobots\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I know the word \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.imm.org\u002Fpublications\u002Freports\u002Frep018\u002F\">“clottocyte” sounds strange, it means artificial mechanical platelet\u003C\u002Fa>. These nanorobots function similarly to platelets that stick together to form a blood clot that stops bleeding. They could store fibers until they encounter a wound, and then disperse them to create a clot in a fraction of the time that platelets do. Blood–related microbivore nanorobots act like white blood cells, and could be designed to be faster and more efficient at destroying bacteria or similar invasive agents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Thus, bacterial or viral infections could be eliminated from someone in a matter of minutes as opposed to the days required for antibiotics to take effect. Nanobots would also not have their potential side effects. So instead of taking medicine or having an injection after having got the flue, you just go to the pharmacy, ask for a non-prescription clottocyte nanorobot, and the flue is gone by the time you are out of the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fclottocyte-nanorobots.jpg\" alt=\"Clottocyte Nanorobots\" class=\"wp-image-14323\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fclottocyte-nanorobots.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fclottocyte-nanorobots-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fclottocyte-nanorobots-512x384.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fclottocyte-nanorobots-333x250.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7) Respirocyte nanorobots\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These tiny little creatures act like red blood cells, but they would have the potential to carry much more oxygen than natural red blood cells do for patients suffering from anemia (when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells). They might also contain sensors to measure the concentration of oxygen in the bloodstream. One day blood may become both a repository and symbiosis of nanorobots and our human cells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Frespirocytes.jpg\" alt=\"Respirocytes - Nanotechnology in Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-14324\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Frespirocytes.jpg 750w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Frespirocytes-512x307.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Frespirocytes-417x250.jpg 417w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How can we use the army of nanorobots?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The real advantage of having robots on the nanometer scale is having them work in large groups. One miniscule robot cannot make much of a difference. But a million of them might move the Golden Gate Bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) The most accurate drug delivery systems\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The greatest potential in nanodevices lies in their ability to deliver drugs to the exact location where they are needed. There are many diseases – including cancer – where treatment causes lots of serious side-effects exactly because the active substance in the medication cannot differentiate between healthy and diseased tissues. In the future, nanotechnology could provide a great solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Smart Drug Delivery System\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FAqWzqhDaoz0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine vaccine delivery with microneedle patches instead of taking drugs or having to suffer through injections! Microneedle patches could provide cheaper, simpler, and safer methods of delivery compared to traditional administration that requires skilled professionals and runs the risk of infection. Microneedles at micron–scale are coated with a dry formulation of vaccine that dissolves in the skin within minutes after applying the patch. Scientists proved that measles vaccine can be stabilized on microneedles and is comparably effective to the standard subcutaneous injection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How do microneedles deliver drugs? | The latest in drug administration technology\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FcNwVvcXLiWc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine programmable nanoparticles, which might help tackle the day-to-day miseries of chronic diseases, such as diabetes. They might deliver insulin to initiate cell growth and regenerate tissue at a target location. In case of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, nanodevices could deliver drugs, implant neurostimulators, or transport intelligent biomaterials across the blood–brain barrier in order to direct regeneration within the central nervous system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) Nanotechnology offers the greatest chance to treat cancer successfully\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As a very simple explanation, cancer occurs when cells refuse to die and keep multiplying in various places in our bodies, while hiding from our immune systems. Currently, the most effective treatments against cancer comprise various forms of radiation and chemotherapy, which stops the regeneration procedure for cells. The problem with chemotherapy and radiation is that it cannot be utilized in targeted ways, therefore it has serious, sometimes even life-threatening side-effects. The use of nanotechnology might mean a revolution in cancer treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Creating drugs that directly attack cancer cells without damaging other tissues has already been proven to be a safe method in treating cervical cancer. Swedish researchers have developed a technique that uses magnetically controlled nanoparticles to force tumor cells to self–destruct without harming surrounding tissue radiation and chemotherapy do. It is primarily intended for cancer treatment, although it could be used for other diseases including type 1 diabetes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"nanomedicine: nanotechnology for cancer treatment\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FkxSX6YJTS2I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3) Nanoparticles as information managers and surgeons\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nanodevices might be programmed into gathering information about certain body parts, levels of toxins and other substances inside our bodies and then “report” back to the medical professionals or to its “hosts”. In the future, it might become reality that a nanorobot sends alerts to your smartphone that your glucose level is high, you need to take insulin. Nanoparticles might gather in certain tissues and then scan the body with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the aim of highlighting existing illnesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another group of nanodevices might be programmed to bring certain substances to cells or might be injected into the bloodstream to seek out and remove damaged cells, grow new cells, or perform other procedures. Nanosponges circulating in our bloodstream could absorb and remove toxins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The John Hopkins University has developed robots only 1 millimeter across that can take biopsies inside the colon. Patients swallow a tiny capsule, and the robotic biopsy comes out with it. Engineers are working on having these robots perform surgery inside the colon, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Miniature Robots Perform Surgery\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FhrXeRTHY-CA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>An evil creature will use nanotechnology to control and influence people?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to optimistic futurists, nanomedicines like smart drugs will lead to the prevention of all illnesses, even aging, making us superhuman from many perspectives. However, as every tool in the hands of humans, nanotechnology also has downsides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nanobots are so tiny that it is almost impossible to discover when someone for example puts one into your glass and you swallow it. Some people are afraid that by using such tiny devices, total surveillance would become feasible – since nothing can remain hidden when there is a robot swimming through your bodily fluids. Who and how will use our information? Might there be criminals or terrorists out there who attempt to utilize these nanobots to deliver toxic or even lethal drugs to organs? Should we prepare ourselves again for a new type of terrorism?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"322\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanorobots.jpg\" alt=\"Nanorobots\" class=\"wp-image-14325\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanorobots.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanorobots-768x284.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanorobots-512x189.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanorobots-458x169.jpg 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also, while these questions are relevant and might cause some discomfort, there are some bigger questions at stake here with even larger impact. What if there comes a point at which the overlap between nanorobots and our own cells–organic material merging with synthetic ones–becomes problematic? If nanobots can replace cell functions or even the entire cell, then what part of us remains human? What if the army of nanorobots will perfectly merge with our cells and we cannot know anymore to what extent we are humans? We already know that neurons can live in harmony with a biochip and make connections with electrodes. What happens when we and the tiny computers living inside us become one? Do we want to become one in this way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I think the medical community and also the wider public should get to know the particularities of nanotechnology as soon as possible to be able to prepare in time for the future. I believe that we should also start a discussion about the ethical and philosophical issues concerning nanobots. We should create groups of bioethicists who can help society assess the risks appropriately and help decision-makers to regulate the use of nanotechnology in medicine according to the common good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1163,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2016. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",14310,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[5],[618,1168,1169,1170,74,1171,1172,889,1045,893,609],580,581,582,583,275,[],[],[1176,1177,1178,1179,1180,287,286,1181,1182,466,1183,1184,1185,1186,1187,1188,479,1189,1190,1191],2941,2963,2943,2965,2945,2971,2949,2951,2953,1633,2955,2373,2957,2959,2939,2961,[1193,53,92,93,94,95,96,99,656,1194,1195,1196,103,1197,1198,935,1058,939,647],"post-14308","tag-nanoparticles","tag-nanodevices","tag-cancer-treatment","tag-drug-delivery-system","tag-healthcare",{"id":1164,"alt_text":1200,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":108,"media_details":1201,"post":809,"source_url":1227},"Nanobots - Nanotechnology in Healthcare",{"width":1202,"height":1203,"file":1204,"sizes":1205,"image_meta":1225},870,653,"2016\u002F10\u002Fnanotechnology_nanobots.jpg",{"medium":1206,"large":1209,"thumbnail":1213,"medium_large":1216,"large_old_512x384":1217,"medium_old_333x250":1220},{"file":1207,"width":117,"height":118,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1208},"nanotechnology_nanobots-370x208.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanotechnology_nanobots-370x208.jpg",{"file":1210,"width":124,"height":1211,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1212},"nanotechnology_nanobots-768x576.jpg",576,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanotechnology_nanobots-768x576.jpg",{"file":1214,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1215},"nanotechnology_nanobots-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanotechnology_nanobots-150x150.jpg",{"file":1210,"width":124,"height":1211,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1212},{"file":1218,"width":445,"height":1073,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1219},"nanotechnology_nanobots-512x384.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanotechnology_nanobots-512x384.jpg",{"file":1221,"width":1222,"height":1223,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1224},"nanotechnology_nanobots-333x250.jpg",333,250,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanotechnology_nanobots-333x250.jpg",{"aperture":147,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":147,"copyright":64,"focal_length":147,"iso":147,"shutter_speed":147,"title":64,"orientation":147,"keywords":1226},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fnanotechnology_nanobots.jpg",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16},{"yoast_wpseo_title":1230,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1231,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1157},"Nanotechnology In Medicine & Healthcare - The Medical Futurist","Nanotechnology In Medicine: ✅Nanorobots ✅Ant-like nanoengines ✅Nanoparticles. Let me introduce you The Story of Nanotechnology in Medicine.",{"self":1233,"collection":1238,"about":1240,"author":1242,"replies":1244,"version-history":1247,"predecessor-version":1251,"wp:featuredmedia":1255,"wp:attachment":1258,"wp:term":1261,"curies":1272},[1234],{"href":1235,"targetHints":1236},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14308",{"allow":1237},[27],[1239],{"href":177},[1241],{"href":180},[1243],{"embeddable":41,"href":183},[1245],{"embeddable":41,"href":1246},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=14308",[1248],{"count":1249,"href":1250},10,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14308\u002Frevisions",[1252],{"id":1253,"href":1254},37329,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14308\u002Frevisions\u002F37329",[1256],{"embeddable":41,"href":1257},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F14310",[1259],{"href":1260},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=14308",[1262,1264,1266,1268,1270],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1263},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=14308",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1265},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=14308",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1267},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=14308",{"taxonomy":211,"embeddable":41,"href":1269},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=14308",{"taxonomy":214,"embeddable":41,"href":1271},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=14308",[1273],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1275,"date":1276,"date_gmt":1277,"guid":1278,"modified":1280,"modified_gmt":1281,"slug":1282,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1283,"title":1284,"content":1286,"excerpt":1288,"author":61,"featured_media":1289,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":16,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1290,"categories":1291,"tags":1292,"project_category":1297,"contact_email_category":1298,"yst_prominent_words":1299,"class_list":1307,"better_featured_image":1313,"acf":1342,"yoast_meta":1343,"_links":1346},13373,"2016-07-12T15:00:37","2016-07-12T13:00:37",{"rendered":1279},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13373","2021-12-06T00:55:42","2021-12-05T23:55:42","why-people-should-not-fear-digital-health","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-people-should-not-fear-digital-health",{"rendered":1285},"10 Reasons Why People Should Not Fear Digital Health Technologies",{"rendered":1287,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\"> \u003Ctbody> \u003Ctr> \u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\"> \u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2016. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp> \u003C\u002Ftd> \u003C\u002Ftr> \u003C\u002Ftbody> \u003C\u002Ftable> \u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The development of digital health technology causes many concerns regarding bioethics. Here are 10 examples why people should not be afraid of, but rather embrace the advancements of such technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The fear from the unknown is as old as mankind itself, thus the fear from technological development has the same age as advancement itself. When the telephone was introduced to Sweden in the late 1800s, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.ericssonhistory.com\u002Fcommunication\u002Fhow-the-telephone-changed-the-world\u002FThe-telephone-is-the-instrument-of-the-devil\u002F\">people were afraid that the contents of the lines would spill out in some way if there was a break and many elderly persons refused to touch a telephone for fear of electrical shock\u003C\u002Fa>. The fear is even scarier when it comes to one’s health. Shortly after Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen introduced his discovery about the X-Ray, people got scared that it might read their thoughts, and they were afraid that such omnipotent gaze will see through their body and soul. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.e-flux.com\u002Fjournal\u002Fx-screens-rontgen-architecture\u002F\">Merchants even offered X-Ray proof underwear\u003C\u002Fa>. Nowadays, there is a similar fear about artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, virtual reality or genome sequencing. As in earlier historical eras, the origins of fear stem from the lack of knowledge and experience with the particular technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Thus, the best I can do is to dissolve the haze around digital health technologies, provide answers to questions raised by bioethical considerations and thus help people get accustomed to using technologies in a way they feel absolutely comfortable about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) Is it true that artificial intelligence might control our lives?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F2016\u002F04\u002F05\u002Falphago-artificial-intelligence-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">amazing how fast\u003C\u002Fa> research into artificial intelligence and its application develops. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.ibm.com\u002Fsmarterplanet\u002Fus\u002Fen\u002Fibmwatson\u002Fhealth\u002F\">IBM Watson\u003C\u002Fa> aims to create a cloud-based data sharing hub for our healthcare data to utilize the waste amount of information in order to provide better diagnostics and care. It has the capacity to read millions of documents in seconds and to suggest the most fitting therapies. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.atomwise.com\u002F\">Atomwise\u003C\u002Fa> aims to reduce the costs of medicine development by using supercomputers to predict, in advance, which potential medicines will work, and which won’t. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdeepmind.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fresearch\">Google Deepmind Health\u003C\u002Fa> is used to mine the data of medical records in order to provide better and faster health services. The project is in its initial phase, and at present they found a partner, the Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to improve eye treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"278\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fprecision-Medicine-And-Big-Data.jpg\" alt=\"Artificial Intelligence in Medicine\" class=\"wp-image-13378\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fprecision-Medicine-And-Big-Data.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fprecision-Medicine-And-Big-Data-768x245.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fprecision-Medicine-And-Big-Data-512x164.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fprecision-Medicine-And-Big-Data-458x147.jpg 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In spite of the positive outcome of artificial intelligence research, there are many concerns. The biggest fear is that AI will become so sophisticated that it will work better than the human brain and after a while it will aim to take control over our lives and people lose their ability to think freely. Stephen Hawking even said that \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-30290540\">the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I do not think that the situation is so gloomy, but I agree with those who stress the need to prepare for the use of artificial intelligence appropriately. It means that we should create ethical standards for its advancement and we should rather develop gradually in order to give some time for the mapping of the possible downsides. Google \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Farxiv.org\u002Fpdf\u002F1606.06565v1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">has made a step forward\u003C\u002Fa> in the form of a paper. It would be beneficial for both patients and medical professionals to have the possibility to get accustomed to artificial intelligence and discover its benefits for themselves – e.g. with the help of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcognitoys.com\u002F\">Cognitoys\u003C\u002Fa> which support the cognitive development of small children with the help of AI in a fun and gentle way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) Could Surgical Robots Get Out of Control And Harm Patients?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are many digital health improvements which aim to optimize surgical procedures in order to ensure the success of operations and to contribute to faster healing. The \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.davincisurgery.com\u002F\">da Vinci Surgical System\u003C\u002Fa> enables the surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision and control. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fautomaton\u002Frobotics\u002Fmedical-robots\u002Fgoogle-verily-johnson-johnson-verb-surgical-medical-robots\">Johnson&Johnson and Google created last december the company Verb\u003C\u002Fa>, which aims to develop a comprehensive surgical solutions platform that will incorporate leading-edge robotic capabilities and best-in-class medical device technology for operating room professionals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Faaron_01-1.jpg\" alt=\"Concept of robot surgeon of the future\" class=\"wp-image-13430\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Faaron_01-1.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Faaron_01-1-768x542.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Faaron_01-1-512x361.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Faaron_01-1-354x250.jpg 354w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In spite of such advantages of surgical robots as increase in efficiency and cost reduction, many people fear that these machines become impossible to control and cause harm. But such horror stories can never happen if we are thoughtful and careful enough. That’s the reason why I stress the need for human control which is the case today as all surgical robots are under that. Also, many human tasks are too expensive and complicated to get replaced by machines. We should impress upon our minds that technology is only there to assist surgeons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3) Could companies use our health data to spy on us? \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.proteus.com\u002Fhow-it-works\u002F\">Proteus Health\u003C\u002Fa> analyses individual patients’ health habits via a patch worn by the patient. This sensor streams data to the patient’s and also their caregiver’s smartphones and helps them better manage the condition. Health data is collected but in a way that benefits the patient. Another example is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hioscar.com\u002Fexperience\u002F\">Oscar Health\u003C\u002Fa>, a health insurance start-up ready to revolutionize the complicated industry. Their basic idea is that patients pro-actively taking care of their health should get rewarded. Those customers, who stay in shape with a free Misfit step tracker, earn up to $1 a day for reaching their personalized daily step goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In a dystopian scenario, companies will only provide patients with insurance if they are allowed to access all of the patient’s data, including data coming from sleep and fitness trackers, the blood pressure and ECG they store and gadgets they use to assess their general well-being. Based on this, companies will be able to either change patients’ premiums or notify them about changing it soon based on lifestyle choices. Choosing a big steak instead of something more suitable for your customized diet or being too lazy to exercise will mean higher premiums. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F2016\u002F04\u002F13\u002Fthe-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother\u002F\">Whatever you do and whatever decision you make, it will have an impact on health insurance.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmedical_tcm150-172343.jpg\" alt=\"Medical Data - Why people should not be afraid of digital health technology\" class=\"wp-image-13381\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmedical_tcm150-172343.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmedical_tcm150-172343-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmedical_tcm150-172343-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmedical_tcm150-172343-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmedical_tcm150-172343-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All the while patients streaming all their data to health companies do not have information about the enterprises themselves. And it is – the least to say – not fair. How can we assess whether a start-up producing wearables is reliable or not; whether they are taking good care of our data or not? My suggestion would be to only allow the operation of health service providers if they get approval from such national body as the US Food and Drug Administration and comply with such standards as the US \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hipaa.com\u002Fabout\u002F\">Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act\u003C\u002Fa> (HIPAA). It would ensure that our data gets into good hands and any misuse of the system will be sanctioned. They should have transparent online profiles and good communication towards customers. The more we know about the companies, the harder it gets to sneak away with our data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4) Might digested sensors and implanted chips cause harm?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Many think that tiny cameras, microchips will populate the landscape of healthcare in the future. Patients can swallow tiny cameras and pills containing microchips for checking whether we took the medication. Biometric tattoos such as \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.vivalnk.com\u002Ftattoo\">VivaLNK’s eSkin Tattoo\u003C\u002Fa> can transmit medical information discreetly. RFID or Radio Frequency Identification chips can be implanted under the skin and serve as an identification device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F1392019773050_.jpg\" alt=\"Implanted Chips - Why people should not fear digital health technology?\" class=\"wp-image-13382\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F1392019773050_.jpg 624w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F1392019773050_-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F1392019773050_-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F1392019773050_-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, some people fear that such devices could also carry dangerous materials, even viruses and invade our bodies from the inside – such as the little device used in the first Matrix movie on the protagonist, Neo. Obviously, the origin of such fears stems from the notion that people just do not like to interfere with their own body and do not like the thought of tiny devices working on their own in their organism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To dissolve such fears, medical professionals have to provide appropriate ethical standards to help society as a whole deal with the emergence of sensors and chips. Such standards have to make sure to allow exclusively such companies to provide tiny medical devices which can prove they provide safe sensors or chips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5) Could the use of Virtual Reality lead to the loss of connection with reality?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The use of Virtual Reality just started to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F21\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\">change the landscape of healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. Brennan Spiegel and his team at the Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles introduced VR worlds to their patients to help them release stress and reduce pain. Through a smartphone and virtual glasses, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fvisitu.nl\u002F\">VisitU\u003C\u002Fa> makes live contact possible with a 360 degree camera at the patient’s home, school or special occasions such as a birthday celebration or a football game – so as to make it possible for hospitalized, young patients to relax and still enjoy their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"864\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fvirtual-reality.jpg\" alt=\"Medical Virtual Reality - Why people should not fear digital health technology\" class=\"wp-image-13383\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fvirtual-reality.jpg 864w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fvirtual-reality-768x438.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fvirtual-reality-512x292.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fvirtual-reality-438x250.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In spite of the benefits, many people have serious fears concerning the usage of VR. When people wear Oculus Rift goggles, they might become nauseated, but this problem is nothing compared to the fear of completely losing connection with reality. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F63033\u002Fsouth-korea-gaming-toddler-death\u002F\">Time Magazine reported\u003C\u002Fa> that in South Korea a 2-year-old child starved to death while his dad played addictive Internet games in cafés. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fcontent.time.com\u002Ftime\u002Fworld\u002Farticle\u002F0,8599,1983234,00.html\">Another horrifying death in South Korea\u003C\u002Fa> was that of a 22-year-old man who went into cardiac arrest after playing the popular game StarCraft for 50 hours straight in 2005. Many people are afraid that VR could also lead to similar or even more severe addiction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In my view, addiction constitutes a serious concern that is the reason why I would suggest a gradual approach in the introduction of VR into our lives. Start small and let’s see how VR works with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fvr.google.com\u002Fintl\u002Fhu_hu\u002Fcardboard\u002Fapps\u002F\">Google Cardboard\u003C\u002Fa> which offers the simplest and most affordable VR experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6) Is it true that genome sequencing reveals my fate?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Genome sequencing can save lives. With the method of rapid genetic sequencing, geneticist \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F23\u002F5-jaw-drapping-stories-of-digital-health-technology-saving-lives\u002F\">Stephen Kingsmore and his team saved the life of a small baby boy\u003C\u002Fa> as early as 2013. Step by step, the technique itself is becoming cheaper and more common. There are already big projects which aim to utilize AI to mine genetic data so as patients could learn what risks they carry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Molecular biology and genetics are often linked to the biggest questions about life and death itself – where does life stem from or how does life spring up -, which result in serious questions in bioethics. Many people fear that medical scientists and healthcare itself might attempt to “play God” and “the Creator” with the use of genome sequencing or gene modification. Such fears materialized in the art project of \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fdeweyhagborg.com\u002Fprojects\u002Fstranger-visions\">Stranger Visions\u003C\u002Fa>, in which the artist created portrait sculptures from analyses of “genetic material” such as spit from cigarette-ends collected in public places. The project showed that genetic analysis might result in the complete mapping of a person’s body – which might be fearful for a lot of people. And it is completely reasonable. It is impossible not to be afraid when a drop of blood or spit wraps up so much information about a person. And genetics might go even further: it can reveal possible health conditions and whether certain lifestyle choices create risks for some illnesses. However, it is scary for people, since most of them do not want to know the fate of their health or they think it is entirely deterministic, even though it’s not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fgenome-editing.jpg\" alt=\"Genome Sequencing - Why people should not fear digital health technology\" class=\"wp-image-13387\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fgenome-editing.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fgenome-editing-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fgenome-editing-512x256.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fgenome-editing-458x229.jpg 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I believe that genomics and genetics is an amazing medical tool to prevent and cure diseases, when it is used wisely, carefully and always considering bioethical concerns. The most important means of dissolving fears around genomics is education. We should teach people about the pros and cons of genome sequencing and genetics in general – as the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.personalizedmedicinecoalition.org\u002F\">Personalized Medicine Coalition\u003C\u002Fa> does. We need more organizations like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7) Do nanobots increase the chance of bioterrorism? \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Researchers from the Max Planck Institute have been experimenting with exceptionally micro-sized –meaning they are smaller than a millimeter – \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.gizmag.com\u002Fscallop-microbots-swim-body-max-planck\u002F34589\u002F\">robots that literally swim through your bodily fluids\u003C\u002Fa> and could be used to deliver drugs or other medical relief in a highly-targeted way. These scallop-like, less than a millimeter-sized microbots are designed to swim through non-Newtonian fluids, like your bloodstream, around your lymphatic system, or across the slippery goo on the surface of your eyeballs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fnanobots-red-graff.jpg\" alt=\"Nanobots - Why people should not fear digital health technology\" class=\"wp-image-13389\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fnanobots-red-graff.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fnanobots-red-graff-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fnanobots-red-graff-512x384.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fnanobots-red-graff-333x250.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nanobots are so tiny that it is almost impossible to discover when someone for example puts one into your glass and you swallow it. Some people are afraid that by using such tiny devices, total surveillance would become feasible – since nothing can remain hidden when there is a robot swimming through your bodily fluids. There also might be criminals or terrorists who attempt to utilize these nanobots to deliver toxic or even lethal drugs to the organs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I think we should start a discussion about the ethical issues concerning nanobots as early as possible and we should create groups of bioethicists who can help society assess the risks. Medical professionals and the public should co-operate in order to not give a hairbreadth of a chance to people who aim to cause harm to others through the use of digital health technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>8) Will robots take the place of people?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Medical robots do not only exist in sci-fi movies and the distant future, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F2016\u002F06\u002F29\u002F9-exciting-medical-robot-facts\u002F\">they are already coming\u003C\u002Fa> to healthcare. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.xenex.com\u002F\">The Xenex robot\u003C\u002Fa> disinfects healthcare facilities with UV lights, the Pepper robot is employed in two Belgian hospitals as receptionists, the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.aethon.com\u002Ftug\u002Ftughealthcare\u002F\">TUG robot\u003C\u002Fa> carries around immense amount of medicine and other medical tools in hospitals. The bear-shaped RoBear robot is able to lift and move patients in and out of bed into a wheelchair, help patients to stand, and to turn them to prevent bed sores as many times as you want. Moreover, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.medgadget.com\u002F2013\u002F07\u002Frobotic-phloebotomist.html\">Veebot\u003C\u002Fa> is able to draw blood in less than a minute and there are already inventors experimenting with sex robots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Watch this robot draw blood from a patient\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FIpdTeGPruFA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Medical professionals, healthcare workers and also ordinary people watch with growing fear that robots perform tasks which were only performed by people in the past. It is challenging to allow a robot to draw blood or lift a patient out of bed. What if they cause harm? What if they get out of control? Such as in the case of surgical robots, human control is irremissible. We should impress upon our minds that technology is only there to assist us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, with the development of robotics, we should accept that these creatures will inevitably become part of our lives. Thus, we need to adopt it on some level. It might not be such a co-habitation as in the case of technosexuals who live with life-sized dolls as partners, but we should come to terms with robots developed to ease our lives. The more often a robot nurse takes our blood sample, the sooner we get accustomed to that just like in the case of human nurses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9) Will DIY biotech result in new lethal diseases? \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Community labs such as \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.thecitizensciencelab.org\u002F\">The Citizen Science Lab\u003C\u002Fa> in Pittsburgh are getting more and more popular. The aim of these laboratories is to spark more interest in life sciences in citizens from small children to pensioners. In these labs people can create whatever they want from producing a drug to using genome editing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fcitizen-science-lab.jpg\" alt=\"Citizen Science Lab - Why people should not fear digital health technology\" class=\"wp-image-13390\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fcitizen-science-lab.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fcitizen-science-lab-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fcitizen-science-lab-512x384.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fcitizen-science-lab-333x250.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, such DIY biotech projects raise a lot of safety concerns. Some say that they carry the risk that criminals or terrorists might use such labs to create materials or use the scientific methods for their own, ill-minded purposes. There are people who think that scientists have been given the right and the responsibility to use such methods and materials – and it is not incidental. It might be dangerous when these can be utilized by anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I think that – as in some of the previous cases – the solution is standardization and appropriate regulations. As the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Fnews\u002Fcrispr-gene-editing-is-just-the-beginning-1.19510\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CRISPR method\u003C\u002Fa> for genome editing has gone mainstream in 1-2 years, new regulations must become available soon. Such standards could help community labs make sure no citizen scientist is working on illegal issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>10) Are portable medical devices reliable enough?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The market of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F01\u002Ftop-healthcare-wearables\u002F\">healthcare wearables and sensors\u003C\u002Fa> is booming. Such devices as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scanadu.com\u002F\">Scanadu\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.viatomtech.com\u002F#!checkme-pro\u002Fc1mv2\">Viatom Checkme\u003C\u002Fa> – which not only measures your body temperature, but also traces ECG, measures pulse rate and rhythm, oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, physical activity and sleep – completely transform the notion of healthcare. In some cases, you do not need to go to the doctor, sit in the waiting-room for hours and then get a 10 minute check-up, but you can check yourself whenever and wherever you are with devices that provide clinical quality data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Ffitness-trackers.jpg\" alt=\"st_20151111_ttfitness11x_8_1825105\" class=\"wp-image-13363\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Ffitness-trackers.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Ffitness-trackers-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Ffitness-trackers-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Ffitness-trackers-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, many people do not trust these devices – they have no information about their accuracy and in many cases they do not use them confidently without the help of a professional. Also, some might think that only those wearables and sensors are reliable which are used by medical professionals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Thus, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F2015\u002F07\u002F07\u002F101-commandments-for-companies-developing-wearable-health-trackers\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">companies developing such devices should communicate\u003C\u002Fa> clearly about how the quality of their product is assessed. Also, regulations and standards matter here as well. The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002FMedicalDevices\u002FProductsandMedicalProcedures\u002FDeviceApprovalsandClearances\u002FRecently-ApprovedDevices\u002Fucm494389.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a list of approved devices\u003C\u002Fa> – and such practice would be very useful in other countries as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>It’s time to learn, discuss and debate how technologies will change our lives and what are the things we don’t want to see.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1163,"protected":16},13428,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[239,5,250],[618,1293,889,1294,1295,893,1041,1296,74,252],282,313,355,452,[],[],[1300,469,1187,1301,1302,471,1303,290,1304,628,910,476,912,1305,1306],2145,1583,2987,3737,4295,1739,2045,[1308,53,92,93,94,95,96,295,99,306,656,1309,935,1310,1311,939,1054,1312,103,307],"post-13373","tag-ibm-watson","tag-medicine","tag-personalized-medicine","tag-wearable",{"id":1289,"alt_text":64,"caption":1314,"description":64,"media_type":108,"media_details":1315,"post":1275,"source_url":1341},"Male doctor working on a futuristic touchscreen display",{"width":1202,"height":1316,"file":1317,"sizes":1318,"image_meta":1339},376,"2016\u002F07\u002Fmale-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display.jpg",{"medium":1319,"large":1322,"thumbnail":1326,"medium_large":1329,"large_old_512x221":1330,"medium_old_458x198":1334},{"file":1320,"width":117,"height":118,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1321},"male-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-370x208.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmale-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-370x208.jpg",{"file":1323,"width":124,"height":1324,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1325},"male-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-768x332.jpg",332,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmale-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-768x332.jpg",{"file":1327,"width":130,"height":130,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1328},"male-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmale-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-150x150.jpg",{"file":1323,"width":124,"height":1324,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1325},{"file":1331,"width":445,"height":1332,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1333},"male-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-512x221.jpg",221,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmale-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-512x221.jpg",{"file":1335,"width":1336,"height":1337,"mime-type":1069,"source_url":1338},"male-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-458x198.jpg",458,198,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmale-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display-458x198.jpg",{"aperture":147,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":147,"copyright":64,"focal_length":147,"iso":147,"shutter_speed":147,"title":64,"orientation":147,"keywords":1340},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F07\u002Fmale-doctor-working-on-a-futuristic-touchscreen-display.jpg",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},{"yoast_wpseo_title":1344,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1345,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1283},"10 Reasons Why People Should Not Fear Digital Health Technologies - The Medical Futurist","The development of digital health technology cause many concerns regarding bioethics. Here are 10 examples why people should not fear it.",{"self":1347,"collection":1352,"about":1354,"author":1356,"replies":1358,"version-history":1361,"predecessor-version":1364,"wp:featuredmedia":1368,"wp:attachment":1371,"wp:term":1374,"curies":1385},[1348],{"href":1349,"targetHints":1350},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13373",{"allow":1351},[27],[1353],{"href":177},[1355],{"href":180},[1357],{"embeddable":41,"href":183},[1359],{"embeddable":41,"href":1360},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13373",[1362],{"count":61,"href":1363},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13373\u002Frevisions",[1365],{"id":1366,"href":1367},37221,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13373\u002Frevisions\u002F37221",[1369],{"embeddable":41,"href":1370},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F13428",[1372],{"href":1373},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13373",[1375,1377,1379,1381,1383],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1376},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13373",{"taxonomy":205,"embeddable":41,"href":1378},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13373",{"taxonomy":208,"embeddable":41,"href":1380},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13373",{"taxonomy":211,"embeddable":41,"href":1382},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13373",{"taxonomy":214,"embeddable":41,"href":1384},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13373",[1386],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},[],[],1785956501743]