Balancing AI Potential in Medical Devices: Optimization and Human Thinking

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical devices has shown tremendous promise in revolutionizing patient care, diagnosis, and treatment. From detecting subtle anomalies in medical images to offering predictive insights, AI-powered medical devices offer remarkable potential.

However, as society embraces this transformative technology, it’s crucial to strike a balance between harnessing AI’s capabilities and preserving the indispensable role of human expertise. One key consideration is the optimization of both hardware and software in AI-driven medical devices. Cutting-edge AI algorithms are only as effective as the hardware they run on.

Ensuring that devices are equipped with the necessary processing power and memory to handle complex AI computations is paramount. Moreover, ongoing software updates are essential to refine AI algorithms, enhance accuracy, and address emerging medical challenges. Regular optimization ensures that medical devices remain relevant and effective throughout their lifespan.

While AI can greatly enhance efficiency and accuracy, it must not overshadow the importance of human thinking. Medical professionals possess a wealth of knowledge, experience, and intuition that AI cannot replicate. The human touch in diagnosis and treatment encompasses empathy, ethical judgment, and critical thinking, which are vital in complex medical cases and patient interactions. AI should be seen as a valuable tool that aids medical professionals rather than replacing their expertise.

To strike the right balance, interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial. Engineers, data scientists, and medical practitioners must collaborate to develop AI-powered medical devices that align with clinical needs and ethical standards. Regular feedback from healthcare providers can help fine-tune algorithms and ensure that AI recommendations are clinically sound as well as patient-centric.

Dynamic Team Promotes Diverse Supply Chain at WBENC Conference

Dynamic's Tami Schultz (left) and Farida Ali at the WBENC conference.

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) recently welcomed thousands of attendees to Nashville for its 2023 National Conference, the largest event of its kind for women business owners. The Dynamic Technology Solutions team was proud to participate in this important annual gathering that fuels business opportunities for women entrepreneurs and corporate executives and celebrates efforts by WBENC members to advance a more diverse supply chain.

This year’s “Momentum”-themed conference offered attendees opportunities to network, learn industry trends, and share innovative best practices. As a woman-owned business, Dynamic Technology Solutions was represented on-site by CEO and President Farida Ali and Business Development Vice President Tami Schultz, who connected with other certified women-owned businesses in the exhibit hall, demo stations, and education sessions.

According to WBENC, there are 13 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., representing 42% of all businesses, yet there is still significant disparity in revenue and capital between these businesses and others. As the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S., WBENC works to advance the success of women-owned businesses through its advocacy, events, and programs. It also promotes the next generation of female leadership through its Collegiate Accelerator program.

Learn more about WBENC on LinkedIn and on the WBENC website.

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Dynamic’s Tami Schultz (left) and Farida Ali at the WBENC conference.

Digitization and ESG in Focus at DMSCA Accelerate2023 Conference

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The Dynamic Technology Solutions team recently participated in one of the leading education and training events promoting diversity-led supplier development and supply chain strategy. Accelerate2023, the annual gathering of the Diverse Manufacturing Supply Chain Alliance (DMSCA), brought together procurement officers of large multinational companies and leaders of small to midsize manufacturers to promote a vision for U.S. manufacturing that is innovative, sustainable, and inclusive.

This year’s conference explored hot topics such as digitalized supply chain networks and ESG (environmental, sustainability, and governance)-driven circular supply chains, while also showcasing corporate supplier diversity. The Dynamic team members on-site at Accelerate2023 included COO Mike Hart, and Business Development Vice President Tami Schultz, who noted several useful trends and takeaways on topics of importance to both procurement leaders and suppliers.

“We’re hearing a key strategy to build resiliency into the supply base is a shift from globally centralized to local suppliers,” Ms. Schultz said. “Many life sciences customers are scaling up their local supply base.”

Ms. Schultz reported that procurement teams have also shifted from having an evenly divided internal/external focus to having more than 90% external focus to ensure the supply required will be available to generate the company’s revenue.

Conference attendees also had a chance to hear the latest developments in digitalization and ESG. “Leaders are continuing to prioritize digitalization as a way to increase data-driven transparency throughout the sub-tier supply chains,” according to Ms. Schultz. “But to achieve that transparency, organizations need to adopt common frameworks for digital process, data definition, and data integrity. In addition, companies are increasingly focused on ESG strategies as a competitive advantage with both employees and customers.”

Panelists noted that workforce development and access to qualified talent continue to be challenges for companies. As older workers retire, leaders need to ensure that legacy knowledge is retained and passed along to a new, more diverse generation of professionals.

Event speakers also stressed that suppliers today must be aligned with their customers’ core values in order to succeed. Life sciences customers, they said, are looking for a supply base that represents the patient population they support, and they need to make their supply base decisions accordingly. One medical device company noted that it is a patient-centric company with high expectations for its suppliers, adding that if a supplier doesn’t deliver for it, then the company can’t deliver for its patients.

Forecast 2023, Part Two: PLM Trends Will Remain Focused on Digital Transformation

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Over the past two decades, product lifecycle management (PLM) has become increasingly important to ensure not only the effectiveness of a company’s supply chain management but also the ultimate success of products in the marketplace. In the year ahead, intelligent, cloud-based PLM digital solutions—incorporating the use of technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IOT)—are also expected to play a crucial role in fostering product optimization and innovation, especially in the face of continued economic challenges.

PLM Digital Solutions

Used by manufacturers to manage the development of complex products, such as medical devices, PLM traditionally may refer to both the strategic process of managing a product’s journey from conception through the end-of-life (EOL) stage and the software used to manage the data and processes for each lifecycle stage across the supply chain. Today, PLM strategy and software are inextricably entwined, and there is greater urgency than ever for companies to adopt effective software solutions to gain dependable, 24/7 access to the complete range of data associated with a product—at all lifecycle stages.

According to data gathered by PTC, “the majority (63%) of manufacturing organizations believe that, without upgrading or reinvestment, their enterprise software systems will remain competitive for roughly two to three years. This means that any organization that upgraded in 2020 before, or at the start of, the pandemic, will likely be seeking to reinvest in its software solutions, [including] around product lifecycle management.”

As companies increasingly upgrade to cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms, they can ensure that a product’s sustainability and cybersecurity needs are addressed and incorporated into every product lifecycle stage, from ideation to EOL.

For example, PLM software tools can help ensure that products are “sustainable by design,” according to PTC, “using no more material than is physically necessary,” and the use of artificial intelligence can ensure that only the essential materials are being used to create the strongest design. Such technology tools can also help ensure that components are designed to facilitate their disassembly, reuse, and recovery at EOL.

In today’s environment, design- and engineering-focused product teams also require strategic insights for managing risks in their supply chain, particularly with an eye toward components or parts scheduled for EOL, according to manufacturing services company Jabil, which noted that “predictive analysis helps to identify the technology changes that are on the horizon so that necessary modular redesigns get traction early enough to help the OEM maintain leadership and competitiveness in their market.”

PLM Use Cases

Heading into 2023, executives are recognizing that PLM is perhaps more important than ever, as companies continue to face economic uncertainty due to war, inflation, lingering challenges from the receding COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing supply chain issues.

A recent article by engineering.com notes that the use of intelligent PLM software and processes helps companies achieve and access data standardization and consolidation, cross-business integration, improved user experience, and cross-platform analytics—all necessary to drive innovation and sustainable business resilience.

According to experts like Oracle, PLM software and IOT are being used for a variety of use cases, which include:

  • Seamlessly integrating data and processes in supply chain systems to develop a holistic product development strategy
  • Driving faster innovation to launch by more efficiently designing, developing, and managing new product introductions and engineering change requirements
  • Enforcing product compliance and tracking changes throughout a product’s lifecycle to adjust to changing global standards

Additionally, both Oracle and engineering.com note that PLM will play an important role in supporting the use of digital twins, or the digital representation of products, for tasks such as running virtual what-if scenarios, predicting the cost or benefit of product modifications, and ensuring optimal product performance.

“Going forward, virtual twins are becoming more realistic, more accurate, more predictive, more dynamic, and more timely representations of the real,” said engineering.com, noting that effective digital twin management implies robust lifecycle management.

This approach to using technology to monitor product lifecycles, especially with an eye toward EOL, is at the heart of what Dynamic Technology Solutions does when it evaluates and recommends technology solutions to maximize the lifespan of components used in mission-critical systems. To find out how this could work for your products, watch Dynamic’s Product Lifecycle Management case study video and download its Technology Asset Lifecycle Management Solutions fact sheet (PDF).

2023 Forecast: Technology Investments Will Offset Continued Supply Chain Disruption

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As we start the new year, disruptions to supply chain operations, including geopolitical conflicts, inflation, and labor shortages, are expected to continue.  “In the year ahead, a second wave of unplanned supply chain risks will likely be realized,” notes KPMG, which reported that 71% of global companies highlight raw material costs as their number one supply chain threat for 2023.

In this environment, organizations may have limited access to manufacturing materials, replacement components, and maintenance items. Increased energy costs and price surges may also make manufacturing challenging and prompt global corporations to reevaluate their manufacturing operations and consider shifting them onshore, KPMG said.

KPMG’s survey of global organizations also showed that:

  • More than 60% expect that geopolitical instability will have a detrimental impact on their supply chains in the next three years
  • Nearly half expect cybersecurity to be an important operational challenge for their supply chains during the next three years
  • 67% believe meeting customer expectations for speed of delivery will be a critical factor affecting the structure and flow of their supply chains over the next 12-18 months
  • Some plan to invest in digital technology to bolster their supply chain processes, data synthesis, and analysis capabilities
  • 54% plan to increase their focus on sustainable sourcing

Technology Trends to Watch

To address supply chain disruption, companies in recent years have invested in cloud-based digital transformation strategies to improve the sophistication of their supply chain planning, visibility, and risk management, and this key technology trend is expected to continue in 2023.

Another digital trend likely to have a significant impact this year is the Internet of Things (IOT), according to the Association for Supply Chain Management’s Top 10 Supply Chain Trends 2023 report.

The IOT — a network of connected devices that facilitates data collection and communications — provides real-time smart logistics information to supply chain managers about product location, movement, estimated time of arrival, and temperature conditions. With data-driven insights generated by IOT, companies can optimize their supply chain networks and control costs, gaining a competitive advantage.

Companies are also turning to mobile and stationary robotics to assist workers with warehousing and transportation and as a result, are transforming supply chains. “Safer, more efficient warehouses, with fewer people in them, will drive down costs,” ASCM reported. “Although the initial capital investment will be high, the cost savings are primed to be dramatic.”

Additionally, organizations should be reevaluating their transportation planning systems in the coming year to identify logistics vulnerabilities. This effort will ensure that supply chain stakeholders are collaborating in an integrated way and adapting plans based on real-time information. “Logistics organizations must create the conditions necessary for a seamless interaction among multiple transportation networks and their digital replicas. They also should be rethinking the physical connections among warehouses, highways, ports, waterways, and air transportation,” ASCM said.

Other digital transformation trends that became prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic (which we’ve covered in previous blog posts) and are set to continue in the coming year include data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), data security, and sustainable supply chains.

Cyber Risk Mitigation Remains a Priority

As companies consider upgrades to their digital systems and invest in new technologies in 2023, they should be mindful of data security and managing cyber risk. Cyber criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated when infiltrating supply chains.

“The supply chain can offer vulnerabilities that provide external parties with a pathway to get into your systems, particularly your supplier network,” explained KPMG. “Criminals could also hack in through basic warehouse equipment such as barcode readers or via internet of things (IOT) devices applied within your manufacturing and other operational sites.”

KPMG recommends that all companies consider the following cyber risk mitigation measures in 2023:

  • Identify strategies that your company and its partners must enact to mitigate cyber risk in your supply chain
  • Ensure that new third parties in your supply chain ecosystem undergo cyber risk assessments
  • Consider AI and machine learning when onboarding new suppliers to address threats such as email spam and phishing
  • Conduct a cyber assessment for all supply chain activities using IOT devices (e.g., storing data, managing inventory, tracking goods)

In the next installment of our 2023 Forecast, we’ll examine what trends are on the horizon for product lifecycle management and technologies—including End of Life (EOL) issues—that can help manufacturing companies foster innovation and drive competitive advantage.

Adopting a Sustainable Mindset to Combat Medical Device Waste

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Sustainable business practices allow companies to acknowledge and address environmental issues while also creating value, increasing revenue, and gaining cost savings. Environmentally aware organizations typically integrate a sustainability mindset into all of their activities, embedding it into their corporate strategy, purpose, and culture.

In the medtech industry, the sustainability conversation often begins with the problem of medical waste and the role of disposable plastic packaging to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare workers, as well as how to balance a sustainable approach with health and safety.

Many experts believe it is essential for medical device developers and manufacturers to embrace sustainability in order to ensure regulatory compliance and future profitability. “Sustainable medical devices are better for the environment and attractive to consumers and can provide cost savings, investor interest, and improved brand and competitive advantage,” notes a recent Medtech News article.

However, a sustainable approach to medical device production is not limited to discussions about disposable packaging and whether or not the device is recyclable. Instead, it means considering “how to reduce carbon emissions, energy and water use, and material waste across its entire lifespan, from design and material selection, to supply chain, to manufacturing and distribution,” said Medtech News.

The Lowest Possible Environmental Impact

Developers and manufacturers must consider all of these factors, as well as the safety and usability of the devices for patients and end users. They should “strive to achieve products with the lowest possible environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle without compromising performance, patient safety, functionality, aesthetics, quality, or cost,” notes the pharma industry news publisher On Drug Delivery.

According to these sources, an “eco-design” approach to device development and manufacturing could include:

  • The use of eco-friendly device materials
  • Designing “small” to minimize the use of unnecessary materials
  • Designing to maximize use of existing technologies, such as wireless technology
  • Manufacturing processes that minimize energy and water use
  • Minimal packaging using recyclable or degradable materials
  • Designing devices to ensure easy disassembly, facilitating reuse and recovery of device components at end of life

Medical device manufacturers and distributors, as well as healthcare companies, can also benefit the environment by finding a thoughtful and effective waste management partner. These partners will help ensure that discarded items are destroyed properly and in a sustainable manner, says Medical Device + Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI).

Sharing the Vision

According to MD+DI, the right waste management partner will:

  • Have a shared sustainability vision with its customer
  • Offer customized solutions for the customer’s needs
  • Take a dedicated, personalized approach to recycling and beneficially reusing waste that would otherwise end up in landfills
  • Offer enhanced data tracking and reporting of waste stream management and how efforts align with financial sustainability and corporate goals

The Dynamic Technology Solutions team heard plenty of buzz first hand this past year at industry events, including the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council conference and the Diversity Alliance for Science conference, about the need for businesses to adopt an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) perspective and how ESG is more important than ever. Medical device developers and manufacturers must embrace sustainability strategies and practices or else risk being left out of future business opportunities with companies that are prioritizing ESG.

Here’s another recent Dynamic Technology Solutions story on sustainability and ESG:

The Supply Chain Connection with ESG Performance

 

Medical Device Tech Trends to Watch: AI / ML, Cybersecurity, and Medical Robots

robot and medical digital image

After a pause in progress during the pandemic, medical device companies are once again making strides to innovate in many areas of emerging technologies as a way to manage data and perform services more effectively and securely. Some of the most exciting trends to watch in medical device technology right now involve artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and medical robots.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): New AI and ML tools are increasingly being used to collect, curate, and analyze patient information to increase the speed and accuracy of data analysis while freeing up employees for other crucial tasks. “The new AI and ML features provide workers with new and important insights deriving from the growing amount of data from medical records,” reports Med Device Online, resulting in improved diagnostic decision-making with high levels of precision and more efficient doctor interventions.

Cybersecurity: With emerging technologies comes new and greater security risks, including more sophisticated attacks by hackers, so cybersecurity for medical devices has never been more important. The number of cybersecurity attacks targeting U.S. healthcare organizations “doubled in the first half of 2022 compared to 2021,” according to Med Device Online, which said this increase is mainly due to lack of cybersecurity expertise among employees.

Those purchasing and managing medical devices must be concerned with two aspects of device security, according to product design company Plexus. First, they must understand how devices are designed to control and protect customer information. It’s essential for companies to protect sensitive patient medical information as it is shared within an organization or with other trusted stakeholders. The wider medical networks are, the greater the risk of a cyberattack that can quickly spread from one device to another.

Companies also must have a plan to provide security for medical devices against external threats once put into use. Aside from implementing proven cybersecurity measures such as authentication requirements, limiting the duration of user sessions, and checking for data compliance, among others, some organizations are also adopting blockchain as a solution to enable safe interactions and facilitate secure cryptocurrency transactions.

Medical Robots: When the pandemic prompted shortages of qualified staff due to burnout or other causes, medical device companies invented new robots to help perform tasks, and those robots are here to stay, says Med Device Online. Robots can perform routine medical tasks such as performing venipuncture, monitoring patient vitals, and disinfecting rooms.

Surgical robots in particular are by far the leading category of robotics currently in use, and demand for this technology has seen immense growth in recent years, according to tech trend analysis site Exploding Topics. It is widely reported that surgical robots such as the da Vinci and Hugo systems are becoming more capable and continue to increase the types and level of sophistication of the tasks they perform. This industry is expected to exceed $20 billion by 2028, according to Verified Market Research.

Accelerated Speed to Market

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many medical device companies to learn new ways of accelerating design, development, and testing of products to respond to pandemic threats more effectively, and they now benefit from these lessons when developing new diagnostic instruments. “The life science companies that are prepared to offer that kind of rapidly developed, rapid-response technology at the point of use are the ones who will be better positioned to handle the next global health crisis,” notes Plexus.

Ultimately, though the lessons learned during the pandemic were difficult, they resulted in many useful innovations that will continue to benefit the medical device sector for years to come.