Over the past year, the technology has proven to be a very effective tool and has an important role in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of many diseases, as well as being an essential component of the effective management of medical spaces and processes.
The epidemic has accelerated investigations and highlighted the fundamental role that technology plays in the health of the population, the functioning of the medical system and society in general. This is the sector Health technology is already a major driver of the economyWith an annual turnover of 7,960 million euros, according to data from Fenin (the Spanish Confederation of Healthcare Technology Companies).
As indicated Eduardo Jourejo, CEO of Airzone, A leading Spanish technology company in assistive technology,It is not science fiction. The Technology enables countless high-impact healthcare applications in patients’ lives And in the capabilities of the medical staff. However, it is imperative that researchers have access to these technologies in order to investigate and develop their full potential applicable to healthcare. A must for tech companies Placing their equipment and developments at the service of health cadres and institutions free of charge To allow substantive progress. At Irisbond, we are promoting various initiatives in this regard and have already transferred our technology and equipment to different centers to research pilot projects of various types ».
From this company 5 technology applications that revolutionize medicine stand out:
1. Early diagnosis of diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s
It is very effective in diagnosing diseases Nervous, degenerative or visionary; As well as treating many cases for the elderly and children. It has been found to use eye tracking technology It can provide a diagnosis for up to 10 years For diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia, which greatly improves healing and treatment, as well as a change in the patient’s quality of life. This application is especially important given the progressive aging of today’s society, which is a challenge for medicine worldwide.
Eyetracking technology offers tremendous potential for neuroscience, with this technology neurophysiological data can be obtained from an elderly population on a daily basis, thus facilitating diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up. The same thing happens with diseases like dyslexia, as technology becomes available Support for assessing cognitive impairment.
2. Remote operations
Time and accuracy reign supreme in the operating room, which is why it’s really used Technology does not touch Like gesture recognition or eye tracking to refer to information on a computer for any non-surgical intervention. This is the case, for example, in bone transplants or cardiovascular systems. You can create a Real-time information management and analysis of what is seen during the process. Thus, clinicians can use information history to make quick decisions, using references to past similar processes.
And also, and what’s more exciting, In hospitals thousands of miles away, teams of medical professionals can guide others during operationsThanks to artificial intelligence solutions. For example, we can find the one that Dr. Antonio de Lacy did during the Mobile World Congress 2019 which became the first remote surgical intervention thanks to 5G technology.
3. Assistive communication technology for patients with disabilities
One of the first developments in this technology focused on improving the quality of life for people with different degrees of disability. Known as Contact assisted technologyIt allows the patient to communicate with his environment freely and independently, which gives him freedom and independence. For example, patients with severe neuromuscular disorders, with severe injury to the upper extremities and the inability to communicate verbally or in writing, especially patients with ALS, basilar artery thrombosis, pediatric cerebral palsy, head trauma, and palpebral degeneration.
In the Official Gazette published on April 27 For 2019, The expansion of the National Health System services portfolio was announced Total Scholarship for Al Ain Readers As of January 2020. Specifically, Generalitat Valenciana was the first to launch it, which awarded the first tender to supply Irisbond with eye devices, being the leader in assistive technology with the first eye tracking software 100% Spanish manufacturing and development. This system includes an eye reader, computer software, patient and / or caregiver training and care, in addition to all installation and after-sales services.
The Eye readers allow a patient to control any device with their gaze. In combination with accessible communication programs, the patient can express himself independently with his environment because, among other functions, he can speak through virtual keyboards and synthesized voice, surf the Internet, use their social networks or even learn to read and write. Thanks to this, the quality of life and self-esteem of a person improves significantly.
4. Improving and efficient communication between physician and patient
The epidemic has highlighted the importance of technology for preventing infection and has hastened its widespread application. In fact, a global survey by the World Health Organization revealed that during the first months of the pandemic – between March and June 2020 – 90% of countries experienced interruptions in their basic health services. Specifically, emergency services were stopped in nearly a quarter, treatment of mental health disorders by 61%, and cancer diagnostics and treatment by 55%, with dire consequences. Touchless technologies, among other aspects, allow Toilets operate remotely, thus establishing relevant distance measures as well as avoiding unnecessary travel.
The use of videoconferencing for medical consultations has become more and more extensive, which has, among other things, eliminated congestion in the health system in the first place. Pilot programs are also being launched to develop solutions for Communication between doctor and patient In cases where verbal communication is not possible, As in intensive care units and intubated patients.
5. Avoid touching surfaces to reduce infection
Without a doubt, Hospitals are critical areas for infection From any disease. Given the widespread use of technology in hospitals, interaction in these spaces through contactless technology can be beneficial to reduce the chances of contamination.
In the United States, Health Care Associated Infections (HAIs) cause 99,000 attributable deaths and cost $ 6.5 trillion annually. In Europe, they represent 16 million additional days of hospitalization, 37,000 attributable deaths and € 7 billion in cost per year (5).
in this time technology ‘Zero connection’ Already allowed Avoid unnecessary interaction with too many surfacesThanks to eye tracking, voice or movement commands. Specifically, it is now possible to interact with screens, facilitate access to information, connect to elevators with a glance or activate the opening or closing of entrances.
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