5 Cool Implantable Medical Devices

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving; transparent, integrated, and cost-effective digital healthcare systems are quickly being adopted by the sector to improve care quality and efficiency. But it’s not just providers who are embracing modern technological innovations; even patients today are going digital. It’s now normal for them to expect a host of modern healthcare apps and devices to help them overcome a medical issue or help them monitor their vitals – conveniently and unobtrusively.

The era of implantable medical devices is here

To improve remote patient monitoring and empower more data-driven care, healthcare is embracing implantable devices in growing numbers. Implantable medical devices are also helping patients replace or improve the function of a particular body part or the entire biological structure. Right from pacemakers to cardiovascular stents, defibrillators to prosthetics, drug dispensers to dental implants, and more, these devices are quickly being adopted by patients and doctors alike. It is estimated that the global implantable medical devices market will reach a value of $160.3 billion by 2026.

But given the fact that these devices are intended to be entirely or partially introduced into the human body for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, they are subject to rigorous standards and requirements. This places a great responsibility on the healthcare solutions companies building these sophisticated devices that exist at the intersection of hardware, software, networks, and analytics. There needs to be a compliance-first approach, instead of it being an afterthought.

While choosing a partner to build an implantable medical device, it is important to assess

• Development capability in association with required regulations
• Testing and certification expertise and level of quality auditing
• Experience and proficiency in designing different types of medical devices
• Involvement in the development of standards applicable to medical devices
• Partnership level with global manufacturers as well as start-ups with innovative solution options

The coolest implantable devices today

Implantable medical devices can deliver several benefits to patients today: they can help replace a missing structure, support a damaged structure, or enhance an existing structure – allowing patients to live a more normal, trouble-free life.

Today, many companies are driving efforts towards building cutting-edge devices; here’s looking at 5 of the coolest implantable medical devices today:

1. Dynagen Mini: Boston Scientific provides one of the smallest and thinnest implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) in the world today. Called the Dynagen Mini, this high-energy ICD not only improves implant efficiency but also patient comfort. The ICD is enabled with a weight scale, blood pressure, and respiratory rate trend sensors that help in monitoring heart rate, detect irregular heartbeats and even send electric shocks to fix them.
2. AcrySof IQ PanOptix IOL: Aclon’s AcrySof IQ PanOptix Trifocal IOL delivers an exceptional level of refractive performance, allowing patients to get back to natural vision rapidly after cataract surgery. Featuring the propriety ENLIGHTEN optical technology, this IOL optimizes light utilization, allowing the lens to transmit 88% of light to the retina. The 4.5mm diffractive zone means reduced dependence on pupil size in different lighting conditions.
3. ApiFix: APiFix’s Minimally Invasive Deformity Correction System helps in the treatment of children and adolescents with progressive or idiopathic scoliosis. Acting as an internal brace, the device, when attached to a patient’s spine, expands in small increments, allowing for post-operative correction over time. Using this device, surgeons can prevent spinal curve progression and avoid spinal fusion, allowing children to be discharged in a matter of a few days.
4. MiniMed insulin pump: The implantable insulin pump developed by Medtronic allows for insulin to be quickly delivered to the liver, at the right time and in the right proportion. Using real-time glucose readings, the MiniMed 770G pump system calculates the right amount of insulin to be delivered while automatically adjusting background insulin every 5 minutes. It connects directly with a compatible smartphone, so patients can easily view sugar trends and insulin delivery on the go and maintain their sugar levels.
5. SONNET 2 EAS: The SONNET 2 Electric Acoustic Stimulation device is the ideal device for patients that have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds. Using a cochlear implant for high-pitched sounds and acoustic amplification for low-pitched sounds, the device’s audio processer detects sounds, processes them accordingly, and sends them to the brain. The SONNET 2 device helps patients in hearing the full range of sounds – from chatting with friends, enjoying music, as well as communicating in day-to-day life.

As digitalization surges in the medical field, there is a sudden and widespread demand for specific-purpose implantable medical devices – not just to cure a biological problem, but also to enhance the aesthetics and physical appearance. The rising occurrence of chronic diseases is further driving the implantable medical device market to grow. This is why the scope and scale of treatment options that can be addressed with implantable devices is growing all the time.

If you are looking to build a new-age medical device, we can help! GS Lab’s healthcare practice can act as a technology catalyst for your Medtech products and help you achieve the delicate balance between maximized IT investment, better care outcomes, and improved patient experience. Our experience across IoT and embedded systems coupled with software expertise make us an ideal development partner for medical device companies.