Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving and powerful technology that offers immense potential to enhance the capabilities of various industries. In the healthcare sector, AI powered medical devices are promising to transform patient care by enabling medical professionals to diagnose and treat their patients more accurately and effectively. Although AI has several benefits in healthcare, it also poses significant challenges, such as the requirement for regulatory frameworks that can keep up with the fast-paced advancements in AI.1 However, ongoing research and breakthroughs in AI techniques are expected to address these challenges and pave the way for a more efficient and effective healthcare system.2
Emerging patterns in AI powered medical devices1
As technology evolves, medical device manufacturers are creating AI medical devices that serve three essential purposes:
Chronic disease management:
- AI powered medical devices can monitor patients and deliver treatment/medication as needed for chronic conditions.
- Diabetes patients, for example, could use sensors to monitor blood sugar levels and administer insulin.
Medical imaging:
- Medical devices with AI can improve image quality and clarity for medical imaging.
- These devices can also reduce patient radiation exposure.
Internet of Things (IoT):
- IoT is a wireless system of connected digital devices for medical professionals to manage data, monitor patients, and reduce costs.
- Combining IoT with AI-powered medical devices can improve patient outcomes.
How does providing intelligence on treatment response heterogeneity contribute to reducing healthcare costs?
Late-stage metastatic cancer treatment is complex due to the number of metastatic lesions, each with different treatment responses (response heterogeneity), challenges of determining treatment efficacy, potential harm to vital organs, and financial cost. Currently, only a subset of lesions are monitored, as manually outlining and measuring each lesion is time-consuming. However, new AI software medical devices can automate identifying and measuring all “regions of interest” on scans, potentially extending the duration of first-line therapies and reducing healthcare costs by avoiding ineffective therapy options.2
Challenges in bringing medical devices to the market2
Due to the industry’s strict regulations, developing innovative medical technology and bringing medical devices to market is exceptionally challenging. Medical devices require a high level of rigour, with detailed requirements for documentation of the entire design and manufacturing process to manage safety and effectiveness risks. Regulatory bodies must clear medical devices before they can be sold. The process requires submitting evidence of compliance with applicable regulations and regular audits. The challenges of reimbursement are the other key barrier in bringing a medical device to market, which makes it harder for physicians to use the product. Furthermore, making the device available to physicians as part of their standard set of tools requires customization for individual hospital systems to match their workflow implementations and security configurations.
The future of AI in the medical sector and upcoming research2
AI will play a significant role in healthcare, with the FDA and other regulatory authorities providing established guidelines for the approval of AI in medical devices. Ongoing research and advancements in AI techniques will make it easier and safer to implement, potentially improving access to high-quality healthcare information. Meanwhile, the combination of therapy and diagnostics, known as theranostics, is rapidly expanding but can be costly and pose challenges in patient selection and treatment optimization. However, technology can help oncologists make informed decisions by providing detailed data on the potential effectiveness of theranostics for each patient.
AI Powered Medical Devices: Conclusion1,2
AI-powered medical devices have immense potential to transform healthcare by improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing medical professionals’ capabilities. However, there are significant challenges to bringing these devices to market, including regulatory hurdles and reimbursement issues. Ongoing research and advancements in AI techniques will likely overcome these challenges, and the future of AI in the medical sector is promising, with the potential to revolutionize the field.
References
- The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Devices. Sterling Medical Devices. [Cited: 28 February 2023]. Available from: https://sterlingmedicaldevices.com/the-use-of-artificial-intelligence-in-medical-devices
- How Can Companies Bring New AI Software Medical Devices to Market? News-medical. [Cited: 28 February 2023]. Available from: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230214/How-Can-Companies-Bring-New-AI-Software-Medical-Devices-to-Market.aspx
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