Advancements in technology, medicine, and treatments are shaping the healthcare industry. With the growing popularity of digital health technologies among Canadians to monitor their eating habits, sleep, and other health-related information, Health Canada established a Digital Health Review Division to assess medical devices based on digital technologies. The sector is making rapid advancements for better and efficient patient care. Take a look at the top 4 emerging healthcare technologies that will revolutionize the industry.

Robotics
In healthcare, robots and robotic software are being used in diagnostic and operating rooms and for consultations. Robot-assisted surgery has been widely adopted in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery since the 1990s. The Centre for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS), established in 2003, later became a leader in laparoscopic surgery and has trained over 9,000 surgeons, fellows, nurses, medical students, and residents. Currently, the robotic surgery sector is dominated by the da Vinci Surgical System, a robot with four arms that are controlled by a surgeon using joysticks on a console. Robotics surgery is expensive due to the high equipment price and annual maintenance costs. That said, robots limit human errors, have the ability to perform precise and targeted procedures, and can reduce the risk of infections.

3D bioprinting
Since its inception in the 1980s, 3D printing has evolved greatly to transform healthcare technology. It allows the printing of artificial hands, legs, joint replacement parts, and bio tissues. Researchers at the University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Hospital have also invented a hand-held device that can print skin. Using a gel-like substance with skin cells, a duct tape-like dispenser deposits skin-like matter, which is then directly applied to a wound or burn to promote healing. This machine is believed to be less expensive than other similar devices and could shape Canadian healthcare technology, minimizing the need for skin grafting. 3D printing also helps in the making of surgical tools, and its applications in the field of pharmaceuticals can contribute to early-phase medication development. Additionally, in 2016, researchers at Harvard communicated about a bioprinting method to print renal proximal tubules, which was a small step toward the bioprinting of human kidneys.

Augmented and virtual reality
Both these technologies are highly beneficial in surgery and medical education. AR has been used in “head up” displays like Google Glass for surgery; this enables surgeons to focus on the patient as they don’t have to look elsewhere for visual displays. The head up device is commonly used for live streaming from endoscopy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) images, and checking vital signs. One of the major applications of Virtual Reality (VR) in surgery is the use of VR simulators in training for laparoscopic surgery. A more recent development is the Virtual Interactive Presence and Augmented Reality (VIPAR) system, which uses a combination of AR and VR to assist in remote surgeries. With the help of cameras that enable stereoscopic capture and a high-definition viewer, both local surgeons and remote experts can see what the other is seeing or doing.

Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology has the potential for accurately targeting and ensuring the controlled release of medicines into the body through biodegradable nanoparticles. This healthcare technology is also being researched for its potential to bypass the blood-brain barrier and deliver medications to treat diseases of the central nervous system and brain tumors. Nanotechnology is also an effective means of clot dissolution for thrombosis treatment. Additionally, research is underway for using nanomedicine—the application of nanotechnology to regenerative medicine—for cartilage replacement and tissue engineering. This healthcare technology may reduce infection rates and result in longer-lasting implants in the future, but it is still under experimentation.