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Recent AI and Robotics-based Developments that are Furthering Healthcare Industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics have entered various industries such as business, construction etc. The healthcare industry, however, was lagging while all the others quickly adopted AI and robotics for their assistance. Recently, the trend has seen to change as healthcare providers have started collaborating with tech start-ups to attain newer Robotics/AI-powered technologies that will improve diagnosis, assist in surgeries, reduce nurse/physician burnout, collect data, and help patients manage symptoms of incurable treatments and much more.

Robot Nurse Assistance and Drug Delivery

Though the healthcare industry has always been sceptical with regards to the use of technology, currently, it has been coming up with various AI and Robotics-based tools and machines. Moxi, a robot, has been deployed in ChristianaCare for the purpose of assisting nurses. A similar robot is expected to be deployed in many hospitals situated in the US. Likewise, tiny robots have been engineered by an engineer at Stanford who can execute targeted drug delivery by dispensing it inside the blood. These robots will have the ability to swim through tiny places and deliver drugs to the exact place.

AI Machines and Apps for Diagnosis

It has been found that artificial intelligence can render more accurate results than human diagnosis. Therefore, more and more AI tools are being developed to carry out such diagnosis that can reduce errors and miss rates. Artrya has developed an AI-sponsored tool that will be employed for patients suffering from heart diseases. This device will detect coronary artery disease, thereby reducing the risk of stroke, which is a leading cause of death. Hoag has adopted a machine learning technology devised by GI Genius that will improve colonoscopy, which will further reduce the chance of colorectal cancer as precancerous polyps mostly go undetected.

Robot-assisted Surgery

While the idea is attached with concerns, robots have been deployed in the surgery wards of some hospitals. They have been assisting surgeons in executing surgeries successfully. A surgical robot, for instance, has been successful in passing the trial of removing kidneys stones minimally invasively. This robot was developed by NDR Medical Technology. It simplifies the procedure, thereby reducing burnout and assisting young doctors to carry it out successfully. Likewise, Houston Hospitals became the first hospital to complete a robotic surgery pertaining to coronary artery disease (CAD). The doctor operated this robot with the help of a joystick from the cockpit. Stryker’s Mako SmartRoboticsTM has recently been introduced that will assist in partial knee, total knee, and hip replacement surgery.

AI Applications

Various artificial intelligence (AI) applications are available that can help individuals with insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Dieta, for instance, introduced an app that scans stools and tells what problem a person might be having. LUCID, on the other hand, developed a music therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s that uses AI technology that helps reduce anxiety and aggression in individuals. Sleepio, an AI-powered, CBT-based application, has proved to be effective for people experiencing insomnia. When compared to the effects of pills, Sleepio showed better results.

Takeaway

AI and robotics are currently a heated topic and the demand for these technologies is skyrocketing in the healthcare industry. The industry is quickly adapting to them as physician burnout has become really common. We are still waiting to see how accommodating and accepting this industry will be in the future. The progress concerning AI and robotics may even exceed the horizons of our imagination.

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