The article from Future Technology 500 discusses several examples
of medical technology that is currently available and the future of
each technology. One of the technologies discussed is the use of
robotic surgery. Currently, robotic surgery uses specialized
technology, such as surgical arms, special cameras, and surgical
consoles, to deliver precise care as opposed to traditional standard
surgery done by a surgeon (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). In the future,
robotic surgery will look like the technology itself performing the
procedures on its own without an operator. This in combination with
the merging of medical databases will allow these computers to
become knowledgeable and Adept at diagnosis for patients (Lepton,
n.d.). As a result, the future of robotic surgery could involve the
computers performing the actual consent and procedure itself
without facilitation by a doctor. The idea that the future of robotic
surgery could be autonomous is both exciting and concerning. with
autonomy, the opportunity to provide improved health care is great
given the advantages that would result. Advantages include more
accurate procedures and quicker surgeries which leads to improved
rehab and greater availability for other patients. Patients will be able
to recover quickly in spend less time in a hospital which is cost-
effective for the patient. What is challenging about this technology
solution is the possible risk of nerve damage and compression due to
robotic malfunction (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). While this is rare, it is
still a possibility that should be considered. Additionally, the
technology of current robotic surgery is extremely expensive, so with
additional autonomy, the cost of the technology will be even greater,
leading to possible disparities among patients that can and cannot
afford the procedure.
Another example of medical technology is the use and concept of
synthetic organs. Current technology allows for lab-grown skin,
cartilage, and even, windpipes (Yong, 2012). Additionally, artificial
blood vessels are going through clinical trials for patients on dialysis
and children with congenital heart problems. The future goal of
synthetic organs is aimed at the growth of solid organs like hearts,
livers, and kidneys (Lepton, n.d.). This is a great challenge for the
future because these solid organs are thicker than most of the
others, and each has a complicated architecture, featuring many
different types of cells and an extensive network of blood vessels to
provide them with oxygen and nutrients (Yong, 2012). As a result,
the incorporation of these organs involves the possible risk o the
body rejecting the transplant of a synthetic organ. Another challenge
in advancing this concept is time. “Laura Niklason from Yale
University first described how to engineer an artery in 1999
, but
these lab-grown vessels are only now ready for clinical trials in
humans (Yong, 2012).” In comparison, a whole solid organ will take
even longer to facilitate and be ready for clinical trials and eventually,
be ready as a public option.
References
Cleveland Clinic. (2021, December 15). Robotic Surgery: Robot-
Assisted Surgery, Advantages, Disadvantages. Cleveland Clinic.
Retrieved May 23, 2022,
from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22178-
robotic-surgery
Lepton, K. (n.d.). Future Medical Technology Analyzed and Discussed.
Future Technology 500. Retrieved May 23, 2022,
from https://www.futuretechnology500.com/index.php/future-
medical-technology/
Yong, E. (2012, February 24). Will we ever... grow synthetic organs in
the lab? BBC. Retrieved May 24, 2022,
from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20120223-will-we-ever-
create-organs
