Page 4 - AUTOMATED - Issue 7 Tech transplants
P. 4
ISSUE 7
Healthcare's
digital
revolution
Doctor Crawford W. Long conducted the first
surgical operation under anaesthetic in 1841 in
Jefferson, Georgia. In this article, EU Automation
discusses three technologies that are revolutionising
healthcare in the 21st century.
In 1841, general anaesthetic had not yet been The combination of the need to guarantee a lifespan
invented, so Dr Long used diethyl ether, a chemical with traceability and validation and the need for
most commonly used to start internal combustion speedy replacements means that many medical
engines, in its place. The surgeon pressed an device OEMs, choose to source exact replacement
ether-soaked towel to the patient's face to put him to parts from an obsolete component supplier. The irony
sleep before removing a tumour from his neck. He is that the use of obsolete components in
billed the patient two dollars for the whole procedure. manufacturing then becomes a key enabler, allowing
Medicine and healthcare has come a long way since the medical device itself to take a quantum
the 19th century and we are now experiencing the technology leap forward.
effects of digitalisation on the industry. Quality of life
However, despite the advances in technology, every Improving quality of life is one of the main benefits of
medical device has an expected lifespan and the integrating new technologies into healthcare. Medical
companies that manufacture components for those technologies including minimally invasive surgeries
devices are expected to make them, or a compatible and home diagnostics mean patients spend less time
alternative, available for the entire period. Often this being monitored and treated and more time enjoying
means that the manufacturing equipment used to a healthy life. With the rate of technological
produce the components needs to be available for advancement speeding up, what digital techniques
use for as long as the component is required. can we expect to see more of in the healthcare
The medical industry also depends on the traceability industry over the next decade?
of everything from pharmaceuticals to machine Smart phone diagnostics
components. As a result, the equipment on which a Smart phones now have the diagnostic capabilities of
device is manufactured has to be validated and some of the most high-tech hospital equipment of
approved, often as part of 21 CFR Part 11, the FDA’s previous eras. By using clip-on sensors, patients in
(Food and Drug Administration), rules governing remote geographical areas that were previously
electronics records in healthcare related sectors. difficult to reach using traditional healthcare delivery
Finally, if a component breaks, the device owner, or models have much better access to care.
the company managing the medical facility, may need Smart phones are also much cheaper than many
to source an alternative quickly. After all, many specialised medical diagnostic devices, which makes
medical devices are the textbook definition of mission them more popular as enabling platforms to which
critical. diagnostic capabilities can be added.
Smart phones can be used to detect early on-set of
04
Healthcare's
digital
revolution
Doctor Crawford W. Long conducted the first
surgical operation under anaesthetic in 1841 in
Jefferson, Georgia. In this article, EU Automation
discusses three technologies that are revolutionising
healthcare in the 21st century.
In 1841, general anaesthetic had not yet been The combination of the need to guarantee a lifespan
invented, so Dr Long used diethyl ether, a chemical with traceability and validation and the need for
most commonly used to start internal combustion speedy replacements means that many medical
engines, in its place. The surgeon pressed an device OEMs, choose to source exact replacement
ether-soaked towel to the patient's face to put him to parts from an obsolete component supplier. The irony
sleep before removing a tumour from his neck. He is that the use of obsolete components in
billed the patient two dollars for the whole procedure. manufacturing then becomes a key enabler, allowing
Medicine and healthcare has come a long way since the medical device itself to take a quantum
the 19th century and we are now experiencing the technology leap forward.
effects of digitalisation on the industry. Quality of life
However, despite the advances in technology, every Improving quality of life is one of the main benefits of
medical device has an expected lifespan and the integrating new technologies into healthcare. Medical
companies that manufacture components for those technologies including minimally invasive surgeries
devices are expected to make them, or a compatible and home diagnostics mean patients spend less time
alternative, available for the entire period. Often this being monitored and treated and more time enjoying
means that the manufacturing equipment used to a healthy life. With the rate of technological
produce the components needs to be available for advancement speeding up, what digital techniques
use for as long as the component is required. can we expect to see more of in the healthcare
The medical industry also depends on the traceability industry over the next decade?
of everything from pharmaceuticals to machine Smart phone diagnostics
components. As a result, the equipment on which a Smart phones now have the diagnostic capabilities of
device is manufactured has to be validated and some of the most high-tech hospital equipment of
approved, often as part of 21 CFR Part 11, the FDA’s previous eras. By using clip-on sensors, patients in
(Food and Drug Administration), rules governing remote geographical areas that were previously
electronics records in healthcare related sectors. difficult to reach using traditional healthcare delivery
Finally, if a component breaks, the device owner, or models have much better access to care.
the company managing the medical facility, may need Smart phones are also much cheaper than many
to source an alternative quickly. After all, many specialised medical diagnostic devices, which makes
medical devices are the textbook definition of mission them more popular as enabling platforms to which
critical. diagnostic capabilities can be added.
Smart phones can be used to detect early on-set of
04
