The world is fast developing through science and technology. One of the areas in this is medicine. Pharmaceutical and medical advances have saved millions of lives and improved the lives of many others. There is no telling what medical discoveries will come next as time passes and new technology in healthcare improves. A study by The Qoheleth identifies five major discoveries in medical technology in 2024.
- mRNA Technology
mRNA technology is currently receiving attention due to the implementation of this research after the Covid-19 vaccinations. mRNA vaccines offer an alternative to the standard vaccine strategy due to their remarkable effectiveness, fast development, and potential for low production costs.
The potential of mRNA is expected to extend beyond vaccinations. Because mRNA can code for almost any protein, the same basic approach gives way to construct a wide range of treatments by inducing a drug-like reaction in the body. Many protein-based therapies, such as antibodies produced outside the body, have shown to be incredibly successful – but also extremely costly. Leveraging mRNA technology could reduce development times and costs by directing the human body to produce proteins instead.
- Virtual Reality
Virtual reality has been around for a while now. However, it is currently being utilized to treat and manage various psychiatric disorders and conditions, ranging from stress and anxiety to dementia and autism. Its powers, however, are not restricted to mental health disorders; it is also employed for efficient pain management by modifying patients’ attitudes and perceptions about pain.
There is still much-untapped potential for VR in the medical field. However, its primary focus areas for medical breakthroughs are preventive healthcare, rehabilitation, assisted living, cancer therapy, and surgery.
- Neurotechnology
Neurotechnology has the potential to improve many aspects of life significantly. It is already being used in the medical and wellness industries, but it also has many prospective applications in education, workplace management, national security, and sports.
Neurotechnology is currently used in healthcare for brain imaging, which records magnetic fields produced by the electrical activity within the brain. Neurostimulation stimulates the brain and nervous system to influence brain activity, and neuro devices, an emerging technology that monitors or regulates brain activity using an implant.
- Artificial Intelligence
In 2024, AI will be one of the most intriguing technologies transforming the healthcare environment is proven to be extremely useful when it comes to detecting diseases early and quickly verifying an accurate diagnosis. In breast cancer care, for example, AI allows mammography reviews to be 30 times faster with 99% accuracy, minimizing the need for unnecessary biopsies.
AI is also being used to monitor early-stage cardiac disease, allowing healthcare providers to identify potentially life-threatening issues earlier and more treatable. Furthermore, AI assists clinicians in developing more comprehensive treatment programs, allowing patients to control their diseases better.
- 3D Printing
3D printers have swiftly become one of the market’s trendiest technologies. It can use game-changing printers in healthcare to generate implants and joints for surgery. 3D-printed prosthetics are becoming increasingly popular because they are completely customized, with digital capabilities allowing them to match an individual’s specifications down to the millimeter. This enables unprecedented levels of comfort and movement.
