Five Medical Devices Changing Healthcare from 2020 (A Year that Changed Modern Medicine Quite Significantly)

In today's world, technology is transforming healthcare like never before. Let's explore five medical devices from 2020 that are making a big impact:

1. Neuralink's Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)

Imagine a device that could help people with neurological disorders control computers or prosthetic limbs just by thinking. Neuralink's BCI aims to do just that by connecting the brain to external devices. This could help cure conditions like “dementia, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries.”

Reference: "Neuralink: Elon Musk unveils pig with chip in its brain," BBC News, August 2020.

2. Abbott's Freestyle Libre 2 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)

For people with diabetes, managing glucose levels is a daily challenge. Abbott's Freestyle Libre 2 CGM makes it easier by providing constant glucose readings without the need for constant finger pricks. This means more freedom for those with diabetes and better control. 

Reference: "Abbott Receives FDA Approval for the FreeStyle Libre 2 iCGM System for Adults and Children with Diabetes," Abbott Newsroom, June 2020.

3. Butterfly Network's Butterfly iQ+ Portable Ultrasound Device

Usual ultrasound machines tend to bulky and expensive, but Butterfly Network is a new development that’s changing that. It’s a handheld ultrasound device. It offers high-quality imaging on the go, which makes it a game-changer for doctors in various medical fields. 

Reference: "Butterfly Network Announces Launch of Butterfly iQ+," PR Newswire, October 2020.

4. Medtronic's Micra AV Leadless Pacemaker

Pacemakers are essential for people with heart rhythm problems, but they can be very invasive. Medtronic's Micra AV isn’t like that—it's tiny and doesn't need wires threaded through veins. This makes it safer and easier for patients to get the help they need without a super invasive procedure.

Reference: "Medtronic Receives FDA Approval for Micra AV, World's Smallest Pacemaker with Atrioventricular (AV) Synchronous Pacing," Medtronic Newsroom, October 2020.

5. Nanox's Nanox.ARC Digital X-ray Imaging System

X-ray machines are vital for diagnosing diseases, but they're not always available, especially in remote areas. Nanox is changing that with its digital X-ray system. It's far more portable, affordable, and can be used anywhere in comparison, making healthcare more accessible to those who need it the most.

Reference: "Nanox Raises $59 Million As It Seeks to Reinvent Medical Imaging," Forbes, August 2020.

These five amazing medical devices are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. With continued innovation, they have the potential to improve lives and change the face of medicine.