Medical technology is one of the most important and fastest-evolving fields in the manufacturing industry. Seemingly every day, companies are producing new innovations in an area that could literally save people’s lives.

Many industries thrive on innovation and improvement, but there are few where the stakes are as high as in medtech. Luckily, there’s no shortage of either on the horizon, and there are many new developments in the field to be excited about.

Here are a few new products and concepts in medtech that could change the world for the better over the next few years, with some details about what makes each of them so special.

Optical scanning for melanoma

Melanoma is the most common, most deadly form of skin cancer, and it’s also one of the most difficult to spot with the naked eye. It’s currently impossible to confirm without invasive surgery. But there’s a new handheld tool on the market that’s recently been approved by the FDA that allows for multi-spectral analysis of tissue by dermatologists.

It’s not as definitive as a surgical biopsy, but can provide the vital information a doctor needs to figure out whether or not to perform the biopsy, potentially spotting something that couldn’t be spotted before.

Interestingly enough, the scanner’s technology is based on navigation technology developed and paid for by the Department Of Defense and used for missiles.

Electronic aspirin

Many people all over the world suffer from debilitating migraines and cluster headaches and other types of head pain, and the need for quicker relief from that excruciating pain is obviously very important.

There’s currently a new form of technology being developed that allows a patient to immediately block these headaches at the first sign of pain.We wrote about this technology about a year ago, when we attended the 2016 MD&M conference.

The tech involves the implant of a device that stimulates the nerves on the side of the head most commonly affected by the headaches. Using a small remote control that the patient can attach to their cheek, and the signal blocks the pain transmitters from the brain.

Needle-less diabetes treatment

One of the most taxing parts of suffering from diabetes is the treatment process, especially the glucose testing and the need for constant shots of insulin. There have certainly been improvements in the treatment process, including glucose monitors and pumps that provide insulin. But that hasn’t completely eliminated the need to use needles. But there’s company in Philadelphia that’s working on a technology that would be able to replace the needle with a patch. In simple terms, the patch functions as a sensor that analyzes blood through the skin without having to actually draw blood.

Automated check-ups

There are new medical robots being put before the FDA right now that will, in theory, ultimately be able to do some of the more basic tasks that human doctors do now, including checking in on patients and monitoring, managing individual charts and monitoring vital signs.

This automated technology will involve a two-way video screen and equipment designed to move through the sometimes chaotic and crowded confines of a hospital or doctor’s office.

A life-changing aortic valve

There’s a new aortic valve on the market that is providing a different options for patients whose previous only choice was open-heart surgery. There are many people who aren’t in the condition to handle the rigors of the open-heart procedure, and the valve can be inserted through a small incision in the chest that’s far less invasive.

In addition to being a less dangerous procedure, the patient’s hospital stay would be shortened dramatically, as would the cost with or without insurance. It’s difficult to imagine three better reasons for getting behind a new technology than less pain, less precious time spent in a hospital and less cost.

Pivot International isproud to be part of the medical technology community, and we’re happy to introduce new ideas and innovations regardless of the field they’re in. To read more about innovations in medical technology, read our post “4 Tips for Developing Medical Products.”