Innovations in healthcare are being made at a rapid pace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each new discovery is opening innumerable avenues of growth and taking the healthcare industry to a new level. Innovations are seen in every aspect of healthcare including clinical procedures, drugs, medical devices, software etc.

Top 10 medical innovations that will change medical practice in 2018

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Some of the innovations that will impact the medical practice in 2018 are discussed below:

1. Neuro-modulation to treat obstructive sleep apnea

A new implant has been developed to treat Sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder, which occurs when airway muscles relax during sleep, which acts as a pacemaker. This novel device consists of a stimulation lead powered by a small battery and synchronizes the intake of air with the action of the tongue. Clinical trials had yielded positive results and these devices are predicted to be used as a treatment for sleep apnea in 2018.

Though a treatment of sleep apnea is currently available by using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), about 40 per cent of the patients refuse to use it.The new innovation is, therefore, expected to tackle this.

2. A new class of cholesterol-lowering drugs

Treating high cholesterol levels by combining statins and PCSK9 inhibitors is a new treatment strategy and is likely to be adapted in 2018.PCSK9 inhibitors lower LDL and risk for heart complications.

 Recent studies conducted to test the combination of statins and PCSK9 inhibitors to lower bad cholesterol revealed a significant decrease in bad cholesterol by 75%. Ultimately, a 20% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or stroke for patients was observed. 

3. Scalp cooling to reduce chemotherapy-associated hair loss 

A new method called “scalp cooling” has been approved by FDA in May 2017, where the temperature of the scalp is reduced by few degrees immediately before, during, and after chemotherapy. It has given positive results in reducing hair loss women receiving chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer.

Sice hair loss is the most upsetting side effect of chemotherapy,  a solution to this is eagerly waited.

4. Gene therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Recently, FDA had approved a drug named ‘Kymriah’, a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T-cell immunotherapy for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults (age < 25 years) who do not respond to chemotherapy. It involves providing customized treatment by genetically modifying a person’s immune cell to kill cancer cells. This therapy was referred to as “frontier in medical innovation” by FDA commissioner. It will be useful for treating patients in whom chemotherapy does not respond.

5. 3-D printed implants

FDA approved two 3-D printed implants for spinal deformities in 2017. These implants are made of titanium. MOJAVE spinal support implant manufactured by K2M is used for stabilizing spine by placing it in lower, posterior-lumbar portion of the spine. It can be expanded or retracted to adjust it to a person’s sagittal balance. IFuse-3D implant manufactured by SI-bone is the other FDA approved implant used in sacroiliac (SI) joint disorders. SI joint is the cause of chronic back pain. The implant is placed across the joint to stabilize and fuse it. Approval of customized 3D implants will revolutionize the treatment of spinal deformities.

6. Smartphone ECG device

Monitoring the functioning of heart has become easy with Kardia mobile ECG, a FDA approved device developed by Alivecor. It consists of a mobile app and two electrodes. ECG analysis is performed in 30 seconds by keeping the fingers on electrodes and it also has unlimited cloud storage to keep a record of ECGs, patient name, etc. It has reduced the cost and time involved in taking an ECG making the diagnosis of a disease a fast process. Alivecor and Mayoclinic are working together to develop technology that can detect potassium levels in blood from EKG analysis.

7. Gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases

In 2017, FDA approved Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl) a RPE65 gene therapy for treating inherited retinal disease which may cause blindness. It directly delivers the normal copy of RPE65 gene to retinal cells. The approval of Luxturna has opened more avenues for gene therapies and it created a hope of better vision in people with RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy.

8. New vaccine infrastructure

The biggest challenge in developing a vaccine is timing and delivery. It takes approximately 10 years to develop a vaccine. The process of developing a vaccine has to be expedited especially in life threatening outbreaks like Ebola and Zika virus. In 2018, the entire vaccine infrastructure will be updated such that it supports rapid development and fast delivery of vaccines. For achieving this, flu vaccines are developed at a fast pace by using tobacco plants, insects and nanoparticles and research is being done on use of freeze drying vaccines as they can be delivered to remote areas.

9. Hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system

Hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system was approved by FDA in the year 2016. It consists of an insulin pump and a glucose monitor that is connected wirelessly. Glucose values are continuously monitored and administration of insulin is stopped if glucose level is predicted to fall below the predefined value. It is very useful for type I diabetes patients.

It is believed that hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system will hit the market in 2018 as there is an increased demand for this technology and more insurers are ready to reimburse it.This is one more innovation, we all look forward to embracing in the year 2018.

10. Xenotransplantation from pigs

In transplantology, shortage of organs is a major concern. Xenotransplantation is the probable solution the horizon. It involves transferring of organs from one species to another. Pig is the optimum donor but transplantation from pig can result in high immune incompatibility and a complex rejection process. So, by genome modification, a pig has been designed by eliminating the genes that can produce dangerous virus in human by using CRISPR technology. If this is successfully done it can save many lives.

In the coming year, we look forward to the possibility of making xenotransplantation a reality.