Artificial Intelligence has been one of the most powerful technologies to emerge. It has the capability to work with different industries. AI in medical devices has revolutionized the healthcare industry, helping medical professionals diagnose and treat their patients. Medical devices have started to utilize AI capabilities. These include enhanced imaging systems, smart robots, wearable technology, AI-based data analysis, simulation platforms, etc.

Functions of AI in Medical Devices

The AI in medical devices developed by the companies has three main functions, which are as follows:

• Chronic Disease Management: These devices will be able to monitor the patients and help in treatment or medication as per requirement. For example, diabetes patients could wear sensors to monitor their blood sugar levels and administer insulin to regulate them.
• Medical Imaging Companies: These devices will be able to conduct medical imaging with better image quality and clarity. They will also reduce a patient’s exposure to radiation.
• Internet of Things (IoT): It is a system of wireless, interrelated, and connected digital devices used by medical professionals. The purpose is to manage data, keep patients informed, reduce costs, monitor patients, and work more effectively and efficiently. It collaborates with medical devices equipped with artificial intelligence to enhance patient outcomes.

Uses of AI in Medical Devices

AI has turned out to be very effective in the healthcare system. Some of the important uses of AI include the following:

• Medical Image Analysis: It is applicable to medical images, including X-ray and MRI scans, as well as other structural image sequences, aiding healthcare professionals in comprehending the results.
• Drug Discovery: AI can help in clinical research and drug discovery. This is typically necessary to identify side effects or determine the most effective combination of medications.
• Brain Diseases: AI-powered medical devices help treat and detect neurological disorders, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, by analyzing MRI scans.
• Preventive Medicine: AI can predict analyses, enabling medical professionals to adjust the level of care to prevent occurrences.

Reveal LINQ and LINQ II

Ashley Ross, regional business director at Medtronic, referred to Medtronic’s Reveal LINQ and LINQ II. These are implantable cardiac monitoring systems, which are worn underneath the skin. He stated, “As a hardware company, we’re now integrating AI. Reveal LINQ, in various iterations over the last 20 years, has seen iterative improvements, particularly in hardware. The current emphasis is on deriving enhancements from software, specifically AI, by transitioning technology to cloud-based data management. This allows us to easily roll out updates, similar to software updates on your phone.” This involves moving technology into cloud-based management of data, enabling us to roll out updates to the technology – similar to how you do a software update on your phone.”

He added that they had the potential to reach the full capabilities, “We can change the performance of our device just by enhancing the AI on the back of it. So, we’re a hardware company that’s seeing the benefits of AI to accelerate the development of how that device is used. We’re taking the approach where the hardware gives us the capability to effectively update the AI or the software remotely. We never used to have two-way communication with the device and they’d physically have to bring a patient back into a clinic to update the hardware.”

Smart Contact Lenses

The medical device Company Mojo Vision says that its smart contact lenses are a functional prototype with a micro-LED display and medical-grade micro-batteries.

Drew Perkins, the CEO of Mojo Vision, said that he was the first to get an “on-eye” demonstration of the company’s technology. Their goal is to make two lenses work as a pair, allowing the wearer to see images in 3D, similar to the way VR and AR currently work.

It has the following specifications:

• Micro LED high-density display with 14,000 pixels per inch [0.2 inches (0.5mm) in diameter]

The wearer will be able to view a live compass and see blocks of text just like a teleprompter. The interface is controlled by eye movements.