10 Hottest Medical Gadgets in 2024

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Recent medical gadgets

Whether you’re a layperson interested in maintaining your own health or someone who works in the healthcare industry, it’s exciting to learn about the new medical gadgets in development and all the various things they can do. These gadgets include wearables, medical robots, 3D printers, and artificial intelligence. Just as technology revolutionizes our everyday lives, so is the field of medicine.

Read on to learn about the hottest medical gadgets for 2024:

Aidmed One

This is a portable, chest-worn device made by the Polish startup Aidmed. It can record blood pressure, temperature, and ECG (electrocardiogram) which will tell you how you (or your patient) are doing.

Nucleus

This is a portable robotic exoskeleton from the Indian company Punar. It can train the paralyzed hands of stroke patients and help them to recover faster.

BIO BOTS

This is an oral healthcare nanobot created by the Indian company Theranautilus. It can help treat tooth sensitivity permanently and can also help promote tooth regeneration.

MARS

MARS or Multi-User Augmented Reality System allows surgeons to get X-ray vision during surgeries. It is one of the hottest medical gadgets in 2024 that will allow surgeons to see the images without looking away from the patient and will also guide their instruments and implants.

HEARThermo

This is a wristband from the Taiwanese company Nightingale. The wristband monitors body temperature and heart rate and can also help predict infections.

PneumoWave

PneumoWave is a UK-based company that is coming up with a biosensor that can help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It captures and analyzes pulmonary data, thus making it easier to tell when the patient’s condition might worsen.

HYDRAFIL

This is a system which uses hydrogel technology. It is a minimally invasive system that can help patients with chronic back pain. HYDRAFIL is from the US-based startup ReGelTec.

VisionAir Solutions

This is the name of a US-based startup that is making 3D-printed stents. When a patient has a central airway obstruction, a 3D-printed silicone stent can help them to breathe easier.

Elo

This is a device from the Singaporean company EloCare. It can monitor symptoms and collect data for women undergoing menopause. The data can then be transferred directly to the physician through the Internet of Medical Things and can help to determine if any lifestyle or medical changes are needed.

WarnerPatch

This is a 5G-connected medical patch from the UK startup M2JN. This patch monitors regional soft tissue health, so it can help in detecting diabetic wounds and post-surgical repairs.

For more information about the latest medical gadgets and developments in medical technology, follow our blog or sign up for a course at the Avidity Medical Design Academy. To improve your physical, mental, and spiritual health, try a scented candle or soap from Avidity Medical SCENTations.

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What Your Teeth May Tell You About Your Health

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The mouth is the door to the inner body. Ignoring its vitality in general health exposes you to the risk of contracting diseases. With poor dental health, a bacterium grows, leading to various diseases. Here are some things that your teeth may tell you about your overall well being.

Endocarditis and Dental Health 

Endocarditis occurs when there is an infection of the heart valves or chambers. When you have poor dental health, the bacteria spreads to the heart through the bloodstream causing this infection. In severe cases, when bacteria affect the valves, it may cause inflammation, disrupting blood flow, causing stroke and heart disease.

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Pregnancy and Dental Health

Periodontitis and severe gum disease cause birth complications. These complications include premature birth, ear infections, developmental, and behavioral problems. Additionally, it increases the risk of infant mortality. A dental check-up is vital for expectant mothers to ensure the well-being of their unborn child.

Diabetes and Dental Health 

A high level of periodontal disease is likely to cause diabetes type 2 more than when a person has low or no gum disease. The inflammatory bacteria causing the periodontal disease attach themselves to the insulin receptors, thus preventing the cells from getting insulin for use in the body. This leads to reduced sugar regulation which causes diabetes.

woman having dental check up

Pneumonia and Dental Health

When bacteria in the mouth find its ways into the lungs, they can cause pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. The bacteria may cause inflammation in the lungs or block the bloodstream, which can cause severe consequences.

Keep Your Oral Health in Check

You can’t afford to become sick, courtesy of poor oral health. Ensuring that your mouth is clean and having regular check-ups can save you from these diseases and more. To ensure that your overall health is okay, learn more and purchase quality products that enhance your well-being.

If you are a health practitioner, you can improve your career by enrolling in a course. Visit Avidity Medical Design Academy to learn more. We also have scented soaps and candles with a healthcare theme, to help you relax and improve your frame of mind. Visit Avidity Medical Scentations for more information.

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“Name Your Own Tune”: 10 Types of Music You Can Listen to for Good Health

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Music has always been viewed as an effective tool to promote health and wellness. Ancient cave paintings depict shamans who played the flute, and music was used to help wounded soldiers after World War I. Today’s science is still not able to accurately describe how the mind and body can be supported by listening to music. However, there is a strong connection between the mind and the body, and health and wellness, and music therapy.

gold saxophone

10 Types of Music You Can Listen to for Good Health

piano keys illustration

Slow Classical

The calming effect of slow, classical genres stimulates the release of dopamine, which increases pleasure and concentration. These effects can be good for the overall health of a person because they can reduce stress as well as increase their quality of life. Classical music may also increase cognition in a phenomenon known as the “Mozart effect.” For more information on the Mozart effect,” read this insightful post by Dr. Eric Perry, entitled “5 Amazing Benefits of Classical Music.”

Indian

Traditional Indian music is designed around “rasa,” or the essence of music. These musical qualities evoke emotional states that may help some people disconnect from the throes of addiction and engage in positive mental attitudes. 

black and red samsung galaxy smartphone

Cinematic

The genre used in heroic films is often uplifting and motivating. This can be useful to accomplish difficult tasks like exercising or working on large projects. The end result is fulfillment, stress reduction, as well as happiness…all good things for your health!

Zen

Anxiety and depression are rampant among today’s youth and adults, which is why the Zen genre can be good for the soul. Also referred to as meditation or nature sounds, Zen is typically a calm instrumental mixed with some sounds from nature.

photo of person playing acoustic guitar

Rock and Roll

A faster tempo can increase the heart rate and improve circulation. Even aggressive rock tunes can help some people process anger or negativity, which leads to a better emotional state. 

Jazz

Cool and calm, smooth and soulful, jazz elevates the mood and gets you ready to have a good time. This is also the music of survivors, and its lyrics often spout tales of overcoming hardship. 

brass drums

Folk

If you’re in need of a brain break, folk music seems to be the answer. Its calming effect is similar to sitting next to a fire with a cup of cocoa, and it benefits mental health. 

Pop

You cannot discuss music and health without referencing what most people hear on the radio or in public venues. These are the songs that everyone knows whether they like them or not. If you do like them, they are uplifting, and their familiarity is comforting. 

Blues

Some people say the blues put difficult situations in perspective. Others liken them to a good cry. Either way, it is an emotional expression at its finest. Processing hard emotions through blues is also a healthy alternative to other options. 

Inspirational

Finally, it would be difficult to deny the power of inspirational music. It doesn’t matter if it’s cliched, inspirational genres make you feel like you can take on the world. 

arc art bass bowed string instrument

Good Health and Music is an Individual Experience

The important thing to remember about music, is that it is an individual experience. Practically any type of music can support good health, but the type of music and it’s ability to support health and wellness varies from listener to listener. The general consensus is that vulgarity and aggressive genres can limit health progress, but this may not be the case for a person who listens while working out in the gym. The music may motivate the listener to engage in more exercise, hence supporting good health. That is why it is important to remember that, while music listeners are different, each listener may benefit by including, or sampling different forms of music to see which works best for therapy, relaxation, health, and wellness.  

person holding silver flute

For more informative articles, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. To take an online healthcare course, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy. To purchase scented soaps and candles, visit Avidity Medical Scentations.

The Role of Healthcare in the Presidential Election (and What It Means to You)

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The upcoming election is filled with questions and concerns about the pandemic. Many people criticize the Trump administration’s response and look to Biden to provide a better alternative. However, COVID-19 is not the only issue concerning Americans. The role of healthcare in the presidential election has made voters concerned about topics like insurance coverage, prescription costs, reproductive health services, pre-existing conditions, and political influence. Let’s examine each of these topics in detail, and how each healthcare topic plays a role in the upcoming presidential election.

Insurance Coverage

A continued Trump administration will likely put an end to Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act. According to one study, this would result in 21 million people losing their insurance coverage over the next year. In contrast, Biden would expand eligibility and establish a public option for federal health insurance. Trump has promised to replace the AHA with a better healthcare plan but has yet to deliver. 

Prescription Costs

Another hot button issue for many Americans is the extremely high cost of prescription medication in the United States. President Trump has signed an executive order to reduce drug costs, but it is unclear how effective this has been. He has often cited the cost of insulin as proof that his actions are working. Fact-checkers dispute this and say the cost is relatively the same. Both candidates openly support lowering drug costs, but voters want to see results. 

Reproductive Health Services

Access to birth control and abortion rights are always contentious issues stemming from religious and personal convictions. This election cycle is no different, and reproductive health remains an important issue for healthcare in the presidential election. A Trump administration could see pro-life decision-making and lessened access to birth control. Democrats have traditionally been the more pro-choice party and supported employer-provided contraceptive coverage. 

Pre-existing Conditions

On the debate stage, pre-existing conditions have played a role in garnering votes for Biden because of the Affordable Healthcare Act, which provides coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions. Trump claims he will not deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, but again, he has delivered no plan. 

Political Influence

Lastly, Americans are tired of healthcare based on politics rather than science. Some don’t trust that a COVID-19 vaccine will be safe because it was pushed through by the President. Others are unclear about the benefits of wearing masks because of contradicting information from political leaders and medical professionals. It’s a mess, and President Trump has communicated poorly. Of course, it is unclear how Biden would handle his political influence in the healthcare world, but he has said he would, “Listen to the scientists.”

If the topics above don’t concern you, you can rest assured that healthcare in the presidential election is still a powerful issue for all Americans. The next elected U.S. President will affect your healthcare in some manner. It may be in the services that are covered by your insurance, or it may be in the money you pay for your policy.  There are many subjects to consider when voting this year, and healthcare is certainly a worthy one.   

For more informative healthcare topics, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. To take a healthcare course, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy.

Changes You Should Be Aware Of At Your Doctor’s Office Due to COVID-19

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In this time of COVID-19, you will be seeing a number of changes when you go to your doctor’s office. Here are some changes that you will see so that you can be prepared and confident about your upcoming appointment. 

  • Telemedicine options – When you make your appointment, you may be offered the option of doing a visit from your home. This could be a phone call or a video call. Think about whether a remote visit could work for your situation.
  • Reminder calls – Many offices are using the reminder call to get an updated status on your health. They may ask if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu. This will help them to prepare for your visit if you are concerned about exposure to the virus.
  • Signs at the entrance – Look for communication about prevention practices happening at your doctor’s office (wearing a mask, social distancing, etc.) and follow the requests. Staff may also be at the entrance and may take your temperature or ask about your current symptoms.
  • Waiting room supplies – Extra disinfecting supplies and trash cans will be available. Make use of supplies if you need them. Extra cleaning for magazines, toys, etc will be taking place, but be proactive when you use these items. Clean the item when you are finished using them with the supplied wipes, etc.
  • Limit non-patient visitors – Only people who are part of the appointment should be in the office. This will minimize the number of people gathering in the medical facility.
  • Providing separation for patients with symptoms – If a patient is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, the staff will provide a prompt placement in a private room.
  • The exam room – After each patient visit, the facility will use EPA-registered disinfectant on the counters, seating, and exam table. Be assured that your health is protected at this point as well. Go ahead and have a candid conversation with your doctor about your medical concerns as you would at any visit. 
  • After-visit summary – Take home any information that the doctor provides at the end of your visit. These first visits during COVID-19 can be stressful, and this paperwork will help to remind you of what you discussed, course of treatment, and the necessary follow up for you.

These changes are new for all of us, so don’t worry if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed at your next doctor’s visit. The staff is there to assist you and answer any questions that you may have. So speak up if you need some help, and don’t be shy about bringing questions that you have thought about in advance. This will ensure that you are making the most of your visit, and taking the proper precautions to stay safe.

To stay up to date on the latest information on COVID-19, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. We have several upcoming articles that deal specifically with COVID-19 in the healthcare industry. If you are interested in learning more about different areas of healthcare, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy. If you are interested in enrolling in our healthcare courses, you can view our courses here. Our courses are in a self-paced online format, so this is a great time to take that step for your career.

Health and Your Pets: How to Keep Your Pets Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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The case of a cat getting sick from COVID in Belgium and the sick tigers at the Bronx Zoo have made many cat owners worried about the potential threat to their beloved animals. There have also been cases of dogs testing positive for COVID but none, so far, have been sick. In all cases, the animals caught the virus from an infected human; there’s no evidence of cat to human transmission. However, experiments show that cats can transmit COVID to each other.

So, how much should you worry and what should you do?

What is the Risk to Your Pets?

Of the small sample of pets tested so far, none of the dogs had symptoms. Most of the cats also had no symptoms, and those that did experienced only mild illness. So far, there is no indication that there is a risk of a dog or cat dying or becoming seriously ill.

The only animals infected so far were all in close contact (i.e., same household) with a human with COVID-19.

What Should You Do to Protect Your Pets?

First of all, don’t panic. Although it is theoretically possible for a human to be exposed to COVID through a cat, there is no evidence that this has happened.

Second, take the following precautions:

  1. Keep your cat indoors (as you should anyway). Indoor/outdoor cats should be confined for the duration. If your cat is leash trained, take them for a walk but keep them away from other cats, dogs, and people.
  2. Walk your dog at a distance from other dogs or people. Even if dog parks are open, avoid them. Keep your dog home from day care.
  3. Have someone else care for your pet if you have been exposed to COVID-19. If you have COVID-19, or you suspect that you may have COVID-19, have somebody else take care of your pet temporarily, until you are given the all clear. Don’t pet, snuggle, or kiss your cat or dog until you have completely recovered. If you are quarantining in one room, keep your pets out of the room that you have chosen for your quarantine.

Keeping your pets safe during this time is as important as keeping yourself safe. Thankfully, infection of pets is rare and has yet to result in serious illness, so don’t worry, but do keep your pets away from other households at this time, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more informative healthcare articles, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog.

To take a healthcare course, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy.

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Is There a Doctor in the House? – The Latest Trends in Healthcare

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Female doctor talking to hospital administrator

In-home nursing care has been available for decades to those unable to make the journey to their doctor’s office or clinic for daily or weekly care. Medication prepackaging, dressing changes, or follow-up visits after surgery, to help doctors manage chronic or acute illness, and end-of-life care are all services available to homebound patients by a registered nurse. A house call from your doctor was common before the 1950s but had become increasingly rare since that time. This is changing as more and more house calls are made by doctors and other advanced healthcare practitioners. These visits are expected to continue to expand in the future.

Value-Based Care

Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance companies have increased their reimbursement to include home visits by healthcare practitioners offering financial incentives, and in some cases requiring these real-time assessments before homecare companies are paid for the care delivered. Face-to-face doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner visits for assessments and re-certification of needs, help at-home patients manage their care when they are unable to travel to and from the office.

Best Practices

For years, doctors relied on the visiting nurse to be their eyes and ears when it came to assessing homebound patients. The nurse gathered information and made their own determination about patients needs, and physical or emotional wellness, and conveyed the patient’s needs to the doctor as objectively as possible. The doctor or healthcare practitioner made decisions for the patient based on the information presented. But nurses aren’t doctors. Best practice means that the most effective and most practical treatment options are ordered based on a real-time evaluation of the patient.

Putting Patient Needs First

There are many business and personal rewards for healthcare practitioners who put the patient’s needs first.

  • Saving patients and their families the pain, exhaustion, and expense of specialized travel just for a checkup or medication refill builds strong bonds between the patient and the caregiver.
  • Ensuring that the standards for best practices are met, by seeing the patient in person to evaluate their care needs, builds trust between patients, doctors, and families.
  • Home visits reduce in-office care costs and offer financial incentives for doctors and other healthcare practitioners to see the patient at home.
  • Patients receive timely care, reducing the number of visits to the emergency room or hospital, and in turn, increasing the pay rates for doctors and other healthcare practitioners who choose to visit the patient at home.

healthcare e-learning

As patient-centered healthcare continues to evolve, we will all reap the benefits of individualized care tailored to our specific needs. Building trustworthy, cost-effective, and readily available healthcare that meets the standards of best practice means that you benefit, your family benefits, and your doctor benefits. Watch for a future article on healthcare best practices, so that you will know what to expect from your doctor, as well as other healthcare practitioners, in terms of your short-term and long-term medical care.

To learn more about healthcare today, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy .

To read more informative articles on healthcare, visit the Avidity Medical Design blog .

The Early Days of Ebola vs. HIV: Similarities and Differences

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In the early 1980’s a new disease entered the U.S. that had doctors scrambling to find answers. A number of gay men in both New York and California were experiencing treatment resistant diseases and cancers that were extremely uncommon. Luckily, doctors were able to relate the diverse presentations of the new disease fairly quickly. In the early days, this disease didn’t have a name. Today, we know it as Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. To put U.S. cases of HIV in perspective, currently the CDC  estimates that “1,144,500 persons aged 13 years and older are living with HIV infection, including 180,900 (15.8%) who are unaware of their infection1.”

Lab technician examining lab work. From the Avidity Medical Design Blog.With new cases of Ebola presenting in the U.S., it is important to compare our handling of patients to that of the early days of the HIV outbreak. When we look at Ebola vs. HIV: similarities and differences, we can find ways to improve our initial response thereby gaining better control of the spread of diseases with no currently known cure and high death rates.

Misinformation in the early days of HIV caused many to believe that only gay men need fear the infection. Since then, we have learned differently. Many of the early cases of HIV could have been prevented had we known about the danger to our blood supply and had a more complete understanding of how HIV spreads. Currently Ebola is on the tipping point between those who want to believe it is “someone else’s disease” and those who fear contracting it from any stranger they meet. This combination of fear and denial is the perfect atmosphere to create larger spread of the infection. Although Ebola does not hide in a person’s system creating the risk of invisible carriers, its early symptoms are flu-like. We live in a country that is very used to going to work when they are ill. Ebola becomes contagious once symptoms present so denial is a dangerous attitude. Until real, truthful information on prevention is widely understood, diseases are far harder to contain.

bunch of white oval medication tablets and white medication capsules

Early treatment is also very important. Luckily, we have known options for the treatment of Ebola. We have been developing medications to battle the outbreak in Africa for some time and feel that we understand how to fight the illness. Advances in these treatments are already in development. This differs greatly from early treatment of HIV where doctors were forced to try options based on best guesses pulled from incomplete evidence. Had we been studying the HIV virus for as long as we have been studying Ebola, we would have had much better chances to minimize its effects on our population.

For more information on healthcare, follow the Avidity Medical Design Blog. To learn more about our online healthcare courses, visit Avidity Medical Design Academy. To purchase scented soaps and candles inspired by healthcare, visit Avidity Medical Scentations.