La atención sanitaria está a punto de experimentar un cambio rápido a medida que la IA trae nuevas posibilidades

You don’t have to look far to see examples of how AI systems create new opportunities across industries. The healthcare sector is no exception. Today’s advanced AI systems are reshaping the way people prevent, diagnose, and treat ailments. Here’s how AI creates new opportunities within the healthcare sector and how it could lead to a healthier society.

Inteligencia Artificial

The AI revolution is well underway. These systems enable healthcare providers to offer their services more efficiently and effectively without driving costs up. As such, they could usher in a more democratic and fairer healthcare system to the world.

Artificial intelligence comes in many forms. Some systems can learn like a human brain, and others can discover patterns that are impossible for humans to notice. Deep learning networks enable fast, reliable healthcare services that have the potential to improve safety for all.

IA mejorando el diagnóstico

One of the first areas in which AI has made a difference in the healthcare community is in the diagnosis sector. These systems can monitor and track real-time data and compare it to pre-learned models. This capability allows these systems to cross-reference data to find correlations and other distinctive traits. Already, AI diagnosis systems are making their way into local communities.

Diagnóstico de cuidado ocular con IA

A perfect example of AI improving diagnosis protocols was recently published in eClinicalMedicine. The study¹, put forth by Dr Darren Ting from the University of Birmingham, integrates a proprietary-built deep-learning protocol to locate and diagnose eye problems including bacterial infections and keratitis.

Las úlceras corneales como la queratitis pueden ir más allá de una simple molestia. Pueden conducir a una visión degradada e incluso a la ceguera. Actualmente es la principal causa de ceguera corneal a nivel mundial y los analistas predicen que la enfermedad se propagará en el futuro. Por ello, es vital diagnosticar y tratar esta afección lo antes posible.

Fuente – Webeye Cornea Scan

El equipo de Ting creó y demostró con éxito un algoritmo avanzado de IA que podría predecir la queratitis y otros problemas oculares en minutos. El algoritmo se programó utilizando más de 136 000 imágenes corneales junto con otros puntos de datos vitales. Además, se analizaron 35 modelos de aprendizaje profundo basados en el ojo como parte del enfoque.

Los resultados fueron impresionantes. La IA obtuvo consistentemente puntuaciones a la par de los revisores expertos. Específicamente, el sistema alcanzó un 89,2 % de precisión, superando a los profesionales que promediaron un 82,2 %. El algoritmo de IA también fue más rápido en diagnosticar los problemas en comparación con los profesionales del cuidado ocular.

Los resultados de este estudio demuestran por qué un diagnóstico con IA es preferible. Por un lado, estos sistemas podrían enviarse a áreas remotas que no cuentan con profesionales del cuidado ocular y producir resultados similares, si no ligeramente mejores, abriendo la puerta a una mejor atención sanitaria para todos.

Diagnóstico de cáncer de pulmón

Lung cancer is another major health concern that takes the lives of approximately +1.3 Million people yearly. This disease devastates its victims, and in some cases, the treatments are just as hard on the patients. Thankfully, a new study put forth by the University of Cologne’s Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne titled “Patología de cáncer de pulmón de próxima generación: desarrollo y validación de algoritmos diagnósticos y pronósticos” introduces a non-invasive diagnosis protocol that could make life better for millions of sufferers.

The study introduces an AI-powered system that evaluates a variety of characteristics of a patient before diagnosing them with lung cancer. Notably, the system is completely automated and tested with 89% accuracy. When combined with its portability and the sheer number of potential patients it could help, this breakthrough represents a major upgrade to today’s standards.

Detección de errores de medicación

Sadly, millions of people suffer from medication errors as a result of being misdiagnosed or simply human error. Among these incidents, those involving anesthesia are the most frequent. These misdelivered medications can result in further complications or ineffectiveness, leaving the patient feeling discomfort.

Puede parecer torpe o poco profesional que un experto administre el medicamento equivocado, pero es vital entender que en muchas ocasiones la administración de medicamentos ocurre bajo condiciones extremadamente sensibles al tiempo y estresantes. Además, existen escenarios donde la iluminación es insuficiente o el lugar no es estable, como en una zona de guerra.

A new study put forth by researchers from the University of Washington introduces an AI-powered camera setup that could help reduce these errors significantly. The study integrates the first wearable camera system designed to recognize and identify drugs based on multiple factors.

IA en el cuidado de la salud

Unlike predecessors that simply would require the professional to verify the labeling, the new AI-powered system evaluates a variety of factors ranging from vial and syringe size and shape to vial cap color, label print size, and much more. Additionally, the system was built to ignore background medications and only focus on the foreground syringe.

Los investigadores utilizaron video HD recopilado de 418 extracciones de fármacos de 13 proveedores de anestesiología. Estas muestras combinaron diferentes entornos e iluminaciones para asegurar que el algoritmo pudiera identificar medicamentos en condiciones variables. De manera impresionante, el protocolo demostró una sensibilidad del 99,6 % y una especificidad del 98,8 % en la detección de errores de intercambio de viales.

The study demonstrates how AI systems can provide unmatched accuracy. It also demonstrated how these systems can enhance human operations when working in high-stress scenarios. In the future, this algorithm could be coupled with other options, and the entire process automated. For now, this strategy represents a major upgrade for the healthcare system which could help save many lives moving forward.

Monitorear la efectividad del tratamiento

One of the best ways in which AI technology is improving healthcare is by allowing researchers and professionals to better monitor and track their treatment effectiveness. AI systems are helping professionals diagnose and prescribe drugs more accurately as they can take into account a massive amount of data including your family history and environmental factors.

Once administered, these AI systems can be used to track and register the effectiveness of each dose. The AI can then cross-reference the delivery methods and drugs to find patterns and ways to improve the results. Best of all, many AI programs can utilize simulations to get the final result, eliminating patient testing until the final steps of the process.

Dispositivos portátiles con IA

The wearable market is another sector where AI advancements continue to make a difference. The wearables market is on the rise for many reasons. Recent developments have made this technology smarter, less expensive, easier to operate, and more comfortable. From a watch that tracks your exercise and sleeping to purpose-built biosensors, the wearables market is on the rise.

Uno de los principales factores que contribuyen al crecimiento del sector de wearables es la integración de IA. Los wearables impulsados por IA abren la puerta a dispositivos más inteligentes y capaces localmente. Actualmente, la mayoría de los wearables deben contactar la red a través de un servicio de internet para completar el proceso.

Fuente – Scnsoft

Los wearables impulsados por IA tienen la capacidad de computar lógica localmente. Proporcionan mayor rastreabilidad e incluso pueden monitorizar tus datos en tiempo real para ofrecerte evaluaciones precisas de tu salud. Además, estos sistemas se han vuelto más pequeños, flexibles y fáciles de usar gracias a avances como los LLM, que hacen posible comunicarse con tu dispositivo mediante comandos de voz o texto.

IA en la atención sanitaria

A study that was published in Nature Electronics titled “Una plataforma portátil de computación en sensor basada en transistores electroquímicos orgánicos extensibles” demonstrates a major breakthrough in the manufacturing of these devices. The study delves into a new manufacturing process that enables bendable and flexible electronics. These stretchable devices provide more comfortability and durability while lowering manufacturing costs.

The researchers in the study successfully designed and built a flexible microelectronics platform that integrated sensing, computing, and stretchability. The device was used to measure electrophysiological signals in real-time. It successfully provided accurate readings, demonstrating how flexible electronic-based wearables are on the horizon.

Nuevos procedimientos de tratamiento

Another key area where AI is making an impact is in the use of nanoparticles and nanobots. These tiny devices have found a home in drug delivery systems. Nanobots can measure less than the width of a human hair, making them ideal for delivering drugs to hard-to-reach areas of the body.

Recently, AI systems have been put to use in guiding and testing these devices for drug administration. Nanoparticles and bots are ideal for certain scenarios because they can propel their medication into every corner of an organ like the liver. Resulting in much more effective administration.

¿Qué empresas se beneficiarán de la revolución de la IA en la atención sanitaria?

Several firms can leverage AI systems to improve their offerings and results. These companies operate across the healthcare market and could utilize AI systems in different manners to enhance their revenue stream. From improving diagnosis to developing new treatment processes, AI healthcare is booming.

Medtronic

Medtronic is a leading healthcare provider that has pioneered the use of AI systems to improve its products. The company has been in operation since 1940 and currently has offices in Minnesota and Ireland with +90k employees. Notably, Medtronic was the first firm to offer pacemakers in the 1960s. Today it remains a pioneering force that combines its decades of experience with the latest AI algorithms.

(MDT )

Medtronic is a major supporter of AI integration and their product line reflects the belief that these systems can improve results. The company has a selection of AI systems, including the GI Genius Intelligent Endoscopy Module which was designed to identify colorectal polyps during colonoscopies.

The company also offers robotic surgical assistants called StealthStation and Mazor X. These devices have helped thousands of surgeons complete difficult procedures successfully. As such, they have earned a reputation as a powerful surgical assistant that reduces recovery time and human error.

Medtronic remains a popular stock option. As one of the largest medical device companies, the firm holds a prime position in the market. This positioning is set to increase as demand for the company’s many products, including pacemakers, defibrillators, heart valves, stents, and more, is on the rise. All of these factors make MDT a smart “buy” for traders.

Futuro de la IA en la atención sanitaria

The future of AI healthcare will see new systems combined with emerging technology like holographic 3d printing to create science fiction-like treatments. For example, you could see a day when an AI system diagnoses you, and a holographic printer then creates nanobots printed through your skin to deliver your treatment directly to the source. From there, the AI monitors and tracks the effectiveness of the treatment, utilizing the new data to improve future tasks.

Additionally, AI healthcare integration will result in better healthcare options for everyone. In remote areas, where healthcare professionals and treatments are not an option, AI-powered systems could open the door to better care opportunities. As such, there are many who see the use of AI in healthcare as a necessity that will provide patients access to a fair and open global healthcare system.

IA en la atención sanitaria – Un futuro más brillante

The more AI integration into the healthcare system, the better. These protocols can connect the dots to form new data patterns that will help guide healthcare professionals and researchers moving forward. As more AI-powered healthcare systems go live, their effects will become more evident, resulting in even greater integration. For now, the AI healthcare revolution is underway.

Conoce otros proyectos interesantes de IA ahora.

Referencia del estudio:

^{1. University of Birmingham. (2024, February 8). IA ‘ojo a ojo’ con oftalmólogos en el diagnóstico de infecciones corneales, estudio encuentra. https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/ai-eye-to-eye-with-ophthalmologists-in-diagnosing-corneal-infections-study-finds}