Bio Break: Preventive Medical Devices

Resources

Bio Break: Preventive Medical Devices

Sector: Diagnostics
Topic: Bio Break
YouTube video thumbnail

In this episode of Bio Break, Nick Allan and Joris van der Heijden explore a critical but often overlooked topic in healthcare innovation: prevention. While most conversations about medical devices revolve around treatment, the duo shifts the focus to technologies that help people avoid hospitalization altogether. Preventive medical devices and diagnostic tools are quietly transforming healthcare by catching diseases earlier and reducing the need for invasive procedures.

Joris highlights three exciting examples of how medical technology is evolving to prioritize early detection and keep people healthier for longer. First up is the integration of artificial intelligence in mammography. With AI support, clinicians are now detecting 30% more breast cancers in earlier stages, according to a recent article in The Lancet. That’s a major leap in early screening, improving survival rates and minimizing the need for aggressive treatments down the line.

Next, they dive into HPV screening and the rise of self-sampling kits. Traditionally, cervical cancer screening required an in-clinic procedure. But with self-collection methods now available, people can collect samples in the privacy of their own homes, helping reduce barriers to participation and supporting earlier diagnosis.

Finally, they discuss innovations in colon cancer screening. Colonoscopies have long been a dreaded but necessary exam. Thanks to capsule endoscopy, essentially a pill with a camera, patients may soon have a more comfortable alternative for internal imaging. In addition, advanced endoscopic tools now allow clinicians to remove even large polyps without the need for invasive surgery. In many cases, patients can go home the same day, reducing recovery time and healthcare costs.

From AI diagnostics to less invasive procedures and at-home testing, this episode illustrates how medical devices are supporting proactive care, improving access, and ultimately keeping more people out of the hospital.

Preventive Medical Devices

Futuristic laboratory with multiple glowing blue cylindrical tanks emitting mist. A red arrow points to one tank. Overlay text reads: ‘Bacta tank. For real?’ in bold white letters on a black background.

Ariana Wilson and Mark Drlik take inspiration from a scene in The Empire Strikes Back to talk about real-world parallels to the Star Wars bacta tank.

A medical professional wearing a white coat and blue gloves holds a red cooler labeled ‘Organ Transport.’ Overlay text reads: ‘The call came’ in bold black letters on a white highlight.

In this Before the Build episode, Eric Olson and Paul Charlebois dive into the importance of organ transplant logistics when designing effective medical devices.

A vial of orange liquid with a radiation symbol and a syringe sit on a reflective metal surface in front of a large medical imaging machine. The overlay text reads: "Radioactive. On Purpose?" in bold black font on a white rounded background.

Radiopharmaceutical device development is gaining momentum as medical teams explore new frontiers in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment.

Surgeon practicing on a surgical simulator during a medical training session in a clinical environment

The simplest and least expensive way to train users of medical devices is to ask them study the Instructions for Use (IFU) beforehand.