It is just a matter of time before technology will take over almost every job humans are currently doing. With the development of AI-based systems, this shifting of roles feels even more imminent. Like every field, the medical industry is also being revolutionized by the discovery of novel systems. Many kinds of innovative medical supplies have been introduced which are being loved by physicians and patients alike.
But seeing the currently present options, we often think about what is yet to come. Let us explore not only the recently introduced medical supplies in the US market which are gaining importance day by day but also leap into the future to see which products will be among the top trending medical supplies hopefully by the end of 2024.
3D Printed Medical Supplies: The New Norm
3D printing is being used in almost every industry nowadays. It is easy, saves time, and reduces the cost of a product by more than half of its existing price. Additionally, 3D printing can also make designs that are usually difficult to achieve in industries. The same goes with the medical supplies industry where dentures, splints, and other surgical items are being printed.
● 3D Bioprinting
In addition to standard medical supplies, manufacturers now use 3D printing technology to fabricate body tissues through a process called 3D Bioprinting. This technique can print tissues and construct organs. However, obtaining FDA approval is still necessary.
– Digital Therapeutics
Digital therapeutics is another trend in the current year as people prefer fewer hospital visits which saves them quite a lot of time and money. In this regard, the importance of Telehealth services has increased. A patient can easily approach a respective healthcare provider in no time and get reliable medical advice whenever the need be.
Like those seen on social media apps, avatar-based therapeutic systems have also been introduced. These enable a patient to talk to a healthcare provider as if they are sitting together. This technology has improved the quality of life of many patients particularly those who are dealing with mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
– Wearables-At-Home Diagnostic Medical Supplies
All the devices which are designed to be worn throughout the day come under the category of wearables. Considering their extensive use and likability among the general population, these wearable devices have been modified in various ways so that they could serve as medical devices. These diagnostically capable wearable devices include:
● Wearable Blood Pressure Monitors
Hypertension is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Solely in the US, the annual number of mortalities linked to high blood pressure exceeded 6,00,000 in recent years. Therefore, for the high-risk group, the use of wearable blood pressure monitors makes a huge difference. These systems have been introduced in the market and are becoming extremely popular among patients owing to their portability and ease of usage. Omron devices are known to be among the best wearable blood pressure monitors that are currently available in the United States.
● Wearable ECG Monitors
Wearable ECG monitors are one of the latest medical supplies for patients dealing with hypertension issues. These are 1 or 2 leads-based systems that easily track the electrical signals from the user’s heart. Although their accuracy is debated when compared to the standard 12-lead ECG devices available in hospitals, the use of wearable ECG devices can be rendered in vain. A popular system in this domain is the EKG tracker by Kardia which is extremely small in size and has been clinically validated.
● CGM Sensors
CGM systems are continuous glucose monitors which are attached to the skin on the patient’s upper arm. By working continuously, these sensors track the patient’s blood glucose levels and keep a digital record of the obtained values. A good example of these devices is the Dexcom CGM wearable devices.
● Fitness Trackers
Fitness trackers are systems that are not only suitable for patients but also for healthy individuals who like to be aware of their health performance on a regular basis. These trackers have multiple features such as step counters, burnt calories estimators, sleeping pattern measuring systems, etc. Many brands are manufacturing these fitness trackers which are available at affordable prices.
FDA-Approved Cancer Diagnostic Kits
When it comes to finding out if a person has cancer or not, the methods presently employed are difficult to conduct, painful, time-consuming, and costly. Therefore, the development of easy-to-use cancer diagnostic kits has been on the minds of researchers for years now. The following medical supplies have been recently approved by the FDA for the purpose of improving patient care for those suffering from cancer:
● CRCdx RAS Mutation Detection Kit
CRCdx RAS mutation detection kit is an FDA-approved diagnostic kit that is helpful for patients dealing with colorectal cancer. Physicians often employ the test to see whether certain medication options are suitable for a patient or not.
● VENTANA Diagnostic Kit
VENTANA diagnostic kit is one of the newly introduced medical supplies. The product assists in the detection of non-small cell lung cancer. It can also be used to check if a patient’s cancer will either respond to a drug or not.
Development of Novel Medical Systems
Apart from the above-mentioned systems which are penetrating deeper into people’s lives by providing them with more functional options for diagnosis and therapeutics, some of the novel medical supplies are also been designed and tested. The goal is to merge the day-to-day usage items with the possible benefits these can deliver if updated in the right way. Some of these recent discoveries include the following:
● Smart Contact Lens for BGL Monitoring
Recently, the development of hydrogel-based contact lenses has been reported by Stanford University and POSTECH which are capable of estimating the blood sugar level of the user. This non-invasive system comprises nanoparticles that have been embedded into a polymer hydrogel that can measure BGL through tears as well as blood. Hence, with such discoveries, the use of glucometers and other invasive systems is likely to become a discussion of the past.
● Smart Toilets for Diagnostic Purposes
Smart toilets may sound weird but are smart systems in the literal sense. Presently, a person has to give urine and stool samples for the diagnosis of certain medical conditions. But with the use of these futuristic smart toilets, the need to do so will be eliminated. These devices will detect our body parameters by keeping track of our bodily fluids passing with our daily waste. A team of researchers says that these smart toilets will be able to detect colorectal cancers along with irritable bowel syndrome and kidney issues.
● Smartwatches for Parkinson’s detection
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that is often hard to detect in its earlier stages. To address this setback, researchers at Cardiff University have designed a smartwatch that can detect Parkinson’s disease.
The system will work by analyzing the changes in a person’s motor signals which can then be recorded and evaluated using Artificial Intelligence (AI). This way, those who are likely to get affected by Parkinson’s can be distinguished from healthy individuals way before the appearance of symptoms.
Latest Medical Supplies and AT-Home Medical Equipment: Products and Specifications
Every medical company works hard to either develop new systems or to improve the existing ones with an aim to always be on top of the list in their domain. Currently, the following medical supplies are on the rise when it comes to purchasing the latest diagnostic and therapeutic systems:
● Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitors are wearable medical equipment that have a sensor lifespan of up to 10 days. These have a 30-minute warm-up period. Being water-resistant, these CGM devices can be worn in water up to a depth of 8 feet for a period of 24 hours. The device can be connected to a smartphone where the results are displayed continuously.
● FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensor
FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor alerts the user when their blood glucose levels fall below normal. It is a water-proof sensor that can be worn for up to 14 days. Its warm-up period is a bit longer than its competitor i.e. the Dexcom G7 device. However, it can take blood sugar level readings every minute.
● Omron 7 Series Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor
BP652 Omron 7 series wrist blood pressure monitor has an automatic inflation system that inflates the wrist cuff up to its appropriate level while taking a person’s blood pressure values. Like its other versions, this Omron 7 series also has an irregular heartbeat alert system as well as an easy-to-read display system.
In addition, the device also has a body movement detection system that alerts the user if their movements are significant enough to cause reading inaccuracy. Furthermore, the values of pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure are also displayed on the smartphone where the free Omron Connect app is installed. The blood pressure readings storage capacity is up to 100 values for a single user.
● Omron 3 Series Wrist Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Monitor
BP-629 Omron 3 series blood pressure monitor is an automated product. It works by a one-touch operation which makes it preferable over other complicated systems. The display system is easy to read and comprehend which makes it suitable for the elderly as well as patients with poor vision.
In addition to the above-discussed features, its IntelliSense technology enables the wrist cuff to inflate easily for an accurate measurement of blood pressure reading. At a time, a single user can employ the device and store up to 60 readings.
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Conclusion
The medical supplies industry is a place with a constantly evolving environment. The department of Research and Development keenly looks at the issues, solves them, and introduces newer products in the market. Thus, the hopes associated with novel medical systems are always high.
In the year 2024, almost everyone is talking about wearable medical devices that can detect different parameters in patients and are excellent for making a diagnosis.
Moreover, items that are to be introduced this year are also getting a lot of focus owing to their unique designs and high functionality. Considering their utilization, it seems that in no time, these novel systems will be trending in the medical supplies industry.
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References
- https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm#:~:text=Facts%20About%20Hypertension%20in%20the%20United%20States&text=Having%20hypertension%20puts%20you%20at,death%20in%20the%20United%20States.&text=In%202021%2C%20hypertension%20was%20a,deaths%20in%20the%20United%20States.
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/08/health-diagnostic-smart-technologies/
- https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/recently-approved-devices/2023-device-approvals
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
