Written By: Simardeep Dhanda
Engineering is the creation of technologies that contribute to the advancement of society. Over the decades, many engineering discoveries have helped various work lines thrive through new technology. For example, the medical field; though medicine is constantly developing and innovating on its own, many engineering innovations have found their way into the medical field, improving the quality of care for all involved. Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and 3D printing are all examples of amazing engineering innovations that have revolutionized the medical field.
While artificial intelligence was initially created to assist with fundamental problem solving and symbolic methods, it later developed into an intelligent resource used in many workplaces to successfully complete difficult or tedious tasks. Similarly, the medical field uses it to analyze large quantities of patient data and other information. Programmers can emulate human thinking by writing algorithms that mimic the way the brain thinks, learns, and makes decisions, subsequently allowing AI to suggest diagnoses, medications, and treatment plans. The use of AI in the medical field has helped save money and time while also giving doctors a reliable source of information.
Furthermore, blockchain was originally created to serve as the public transaction ledger of bitcoin, but it has now developed to keep a distributed ledger of vast amounts of information for many industries. On average, data breaches cost organizations $3.86 million annually, with the healthcare industry suffering the highest costs per incident. However, blockchain opposes this as it is an unhackable cryptography; accordingly, this allows confidentiality and security for hospitals and patients alike.
Lastly, 3D printing has advanced to the point where it can be used for many medical purposes. Using 3D printing, medical devices can now be precisely tailored to a patient's specifications and fully compatible with their natural anatomy. The body is more likely to accept implants, prosthetics, and devices when they are perfectly aligned and customized; thus, patients often report improved performance. Furthermore, 3D printing is still developing quickly, as medical professionals and engineers are working to involve complex open-heart surgeries and even Cleveland Clinic’s total face transplant; these developments will revolutionize medical care in the future.
Overall, engineering innovations around the world have helped many industries, including the medical field, as AI, blockchain, and 3D printing change the way of medicine around the world. These innovations will continue to transform the world, creating a better tomorrow for everyone.