How IC Chips are Revolutionizing Healthcare Technology

Image source National American University

From basic testing equipment to complicated devices that can perform intrusive surgery, there is no doubt that modern healthcare has undergone tremendous levels of evolution.  You might have heard of robots that can perform surgeries.  

At the center of all these developments and technologies are the integrated circuits (ICs). These semiconductor devices are present in every electronic device- both simple and complex. They determine how the device should function and operate.  Think of data management in healthcare, all is because of integrated circuits.  Many technological products are used in the healthcare industry.

In this article, we will discuss various ways the IC chips are revolutionizing healthcare technology. You will also get a glimpse of what to expect in the future of healthcare technology.

What is the role of ICs in devices?

Integrated circuits are made of semiconductor components. They are considered the building blocks of modern electronics mainly because of the numerous desirable properties that they have. A typical integrated circuit comprises different electronic components such as diodes, transistors, capacitors, and resistors among many others that are connected to form a complete circuit. Each IC has a specific role that it plays in an electronic device, appliance, or system.

One of the roles is signal conversion and processing. IC chips are widely used in the conversion of signals from one form to another in most cases analog to digital. They then process the signals for execution.

Data storage, processing, and transfer are other important roles of integrated circuits. Primarily, anything that entails data management in a device requires integrated circuits.  Another aspect of data management is security. There are  security chips that are specifically designed to secure data in devices and applications

Power management is also an important function of integrated circuits. They ensure that devices get the right current and voltage. They provide adequate protection against overcurrent and overvoltage.

These and many other roles of integrated circuits have contributed to the rapid evolution of healthcare technology. 

Applications of IC chips in healthcare

Now that you know the key roles of semiconductor chips in healthcare, let’s discuss some of the areas in which IC chips have revolutionized the healthcare industry.

Implantable electronics in healthcare

Perhaps this is one of the most advanced inventions in the healthcare industry.  Technology has made it possible to implant electronic devices into the body. These devices will be able to perform, biological functions that are designated for specific body organs.

A pacemaker is a perfect example of such a device. It uses integrated circuits to control the functioning of the heart so that you can have perfect cardiac health.

Recently, Elon Musk announced the first human that received a brain implant from Neuralink. Of course, integrated circuits are the building blocks of these implants. Neuralink’s device is the size of a large coin. It is designed to be implanted into the brain and its purpose is to help a user control a computer cursor or keyboard using thoughts alone.

Wearable technology in healthcare

We have witnessed massive applications of wearable technology in healthcare. These are devices that are worn by users and are capable of performing different health-related functions. Miniaturization is one of the features that is quite prominent in wearable devices.

One of the most common functions of wearable devices in healthcare is monitoring. They collect and process data about the state of a patient’s health.  These devices have sensors that collect data on the heart rate, breathing rate, blood sugar level, and many others. Thanks to the integrated circuits, this data is collected and even relayed in real-time. Furthermore, ICs have made it possible to produce miniaturized devices. This is the reason why most wearable gadgets are small and lightweight.

Telemedicine

 To understand the role of telemedicine in healthcare, we should first understand the application of IC chips in the telecommunication industry. Semiconductor chips are widely used in telecommunication devices. Whether it is smartphones, or any other form of communication remotely, all of them are powered by integrated circuits.

Telemedicine has made it possible for doctors and patients to communicate remotely. You don’t have to travel to meet a  health professional physically. Everything can be done through smartphones and other communication gadgets. These devices have ICs that process a critical element of telemedicine. Thanks to this technology, the cost and time that is spent on in-person consultations is reduced. Additionally, telemedicine has greatly improved access to healthcare services in remote and marginalized areas.

High-precision diagnostics

Any medical issue needs to be diagnosed first before any necessary action is taken. Technology that is powered by integrated circuits has made it possible to perform diagnostics at high levels of accuracy. Medical imaging is one method of diagnosis that is fully powered by technology. Electronic devices such as MRI machines and CT scanners rely on electronic components that have been embedded into a single unit known as an integrated circuit. Through imaging, it is possible to scan the internal organs of a patient’s body and identify the exact source of the health problem.  After scanning, there are still display devices that produce clear output of the images that have been processed.

Automated laboratory

IC chips are revolutionizing laboratory technology. Collection of samples, testing, and analysis are some of the key activities that take place in most laboratories.  For years, these activities have been done manually. But thanks to technology that is powered by integrated circuits, most activities in laboratories are either partially or fully automated.

Automation has revolutionized medical laboratories by a great margin. It has improved the workflow whereby processes are done faster and more efficiently.   Handling samples and even conducting medical tests is easier and more efficient.  We cannot ignore the impact of technology on data storage and processing.  The two are crucial aspects of any lab. Even most advanced laboratories have robots that execute some tasks.

Drug delivery system

 Integrated circuits have paved the way for the invention of smart drug delivery systems (DDS). After a patient takes a drug, the next step is to wait for the drug to act on the body or target part of the body. Thanks to technology, we have advanced drug delivery systems that control the release of drug molecules in the body. The drug delivery system also increases the permeability efficacy and solubility of a drug on a specific part of the body.

Healthcare data systems

It is also prudent to appreciate the fact that integrated circuits have revolutionized the general management of information systems in the healthcare industry. Modern electronic health records (EHRs)  are critical parts of healthcare technology. They contain critical data of patients such as medication, medical history, treatment plans, medical imaging data, laboratory results, and many others. These systems streamline workflows in hospitals. At the core of EHRs are the integrated circuits.  All the devices used in health records are powered and controlled by integrated circuits.

Education and research in healthcare

Any serious development in the healthcare industry starts with the research process. From there, the project is implemented based on the information that was gathered during the research process. Integrated circuits have made it easier and more efficient to conduct various types of research in the healthcare industry. Through technology, researchers can easily find any type of information that they need about the subject area that they are working on. Telecommunication devices have even made it easier for different researchers in healthcare to work together. Additionally, integrated circuits have improved data technology whereby anyone can access large chunks of data.

Collaborations will define the future of IC chips in healthcare

Technology and healthcare are two different fields.  For any serious revolution to take place, there is a need for collaboration. Professionals in the field of medicine will have to collaborate with software and hardware engineers to create reliable solutions. This way, they will be able to unlock unlimited possibilities in the healthcare industry. With such collaborations, we should expect to see other advanced innovations such as AI-powered doctors, portable labs, and many others. 

Conclusion: A healthy future of technology in healthcare

We have come so far concerning the use of technology in healthcare. Integrated circuits have played critical roles in the revolution. They have made it possible to develop the best systems and solutions that are used in the healthcare industry. Even as we continue to push the boundaries of technology in healthcare, integrated circuits will always be present.

Are you building a system or solution that you think will revolutionize the healthcare industry? No matter how small or big the product will be,  chances are it will use integrated circuits.  You should always get the best ICs that will do the job. But, where can you buy integrated circuits for the healthcare industry? This is where Rantle East Electronic comes in. We are a reputable global supplier of IC chips. For over 20 years, we have been supplying different types of IC chips to our clients around the world. You can talk to us in case you want to buy IC chips in bulk.