Medtronic
(NYSE: MDT)
announced results from a survey indicating that AI and VR could help reduce disparities in access to surgical expertise.
The medtech giant sought to understand the perspectives of U.S. surgeons through its State of Surgery survey. Responses indicated that digital solutions could improve both the quality and reach of care, both nationally and globally.
A 2024 survey of 1,000 U.S. surgeons found that advancements in digital technologies like live streaming, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) could help reduce these disparities, particularly in under-resourced regions. Medtronic said surgeons believe that their digital tools can improve surgical outcomes and the consistency of care.
“Digital technologies like Live Stream help break down barriers to surgical training. Whether refreshing skills or mastering a new technique, these safe technologies put critical insights into the hands of surgeons and create direct access to other experts – regardless of location,” said Mike Marinaro, EVP of the Medtronic Medical Surgical portfolio. “Empowering surgeons with these tools will improve patient care across the world.”
More about the survey and Medtronic’s role in advancing digital technologies
According to Medtronic, 84% of respondents said live streaming services could improve access to specialist consultations real-time in underserved areas. The survey said 82% believe telemedicine platforms could facilitate real-time remote consultations and surgeries. This could enable rural hospitals to tap into expertise from leading surgeons across the country and world.
Nearly 85% of those surveyed said AI could enhance diagnostic precision. They believe that could help close regional gaps in surgical care and improve outcomes for patients facing long wait times or travel distances.
Additionally, 64% of surgeons say they don’t have enough time to dedicate to training. VR simulations and digital platforms could provide a complementary learning option. Medtronic said 85% of surgeons believe those tools could enhance surgical training by improving accessibility.
Other data includes:
- 81% say VR could provide access to advanced surgical training without geographic constraints.
- 83% say global digital networks for sharing surgical best practices could elevate the standard of care.
- 62% say the technology currently available to them could be significantly improved.
- 73% say the technology they rely on limits their ability to perform at their best.
Medtronic said its efforts to address these efforts include the launch of its Touch Surgery live stream technology. Touch Surgery aims to enable surgeons to safely and securely share and observe procedures in real-time anywhere in the world.
In April, the company unveiled its Live Stream technology, which features AI capabilities to accompany the Touch Surgery digital offering. Then, in July, the company officially launched the new Live Stream function.
Medtronic Touch Surgery Live Stream enables secure live streaming of procedures, creating an immersive virtual learning environment with the benefits of actually being physically present. The company aims to give surgeons access to expert techniques and minimize the need for a crowded operating theater. Surgeons, trainees and OR managers can also conduct and attend live broadcasts and access high-caliber surgical education.
Medtronic is all in on artificial intelligence
When it comes to generative artificial intelligence, Medtronic officials are excited enough about its potential that they’ve asked every department at the medtech giant to come up with ideas for how it could boost productivity and the ability of the company’s offerings to save lives, according to a recent Fortune article.
“We’ve got work to do to unlock the revolution of AI in medical devices,” Medtronic Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Ken Washington said during the Design of Medical Devices Conference at the University of Minnesota in April.
“We have to activate the future of healthcare with AI and digital connectivity and technology. And it’s not going to be easy. But we know what the reward is. The reward is the vision that many people have talked about for a long time, and we know it’s coming, but it’s not here yet. And that’s the vision of personalized digital wellness.”
Go to Medical Design & Outsourcing to read more:
- 3 things Medtronic needs to overcome to bring AI to healthcare
- How Medtronic’s using AI: Artificial intelligence insights and advice
- AI basics from Medtronic Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Ken Washington
- 9 tips for implementing AI in medical devices from a Medtronic executive
Editor-in-chief Chris Newmarker contributed to this story.
