Healthcare is experiencing a radical metamorphosis with artificial intelligence (AI) leading the way in redefining medical devices and software.  

This is why AI, among other technologies, was the focus of The MedTech Conference earlier this month. Held in Toronto, Canada, on Oct 15-17, 2024, the conference brought together thousands of medtech and healthcare professionals for panel sessions, product demos, and networking events. The theme of the conference was “Medtech in Motion”, reflecting the idea of keeping patients healthy and moving forward through medtech innovation.  

HTEC's work in the healthcare and life sciences technologies sectors, including AI-driven medical devices, advanced diagnostic technologies for personalized medicine, and innovative wearables for chronic care, made the presence of our experts at The MedTech Conference especially important and insightful. 

Our domain experts — Miloš Cigoj , Quality and Compliance Lead for Healthcare and Life Sciences; Andrew McGee , Director of Business Development; Dan Kerr , Director of Business Growth; and Alex Dukic , Chief Digital Officer — attended The MedTech Conference to gauge where the industry is heading and share how HTEC’s medical technology expertise can make the most impact.  

  Here are some of the conference highlights:   

AI-based devices and diagnostics represent the future of healthcare 

Not surprisingly, AI technologies such as machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), deep learning, and computer vision were the central theme of conference sessions, discussions, and product demos.  

AI and automation are now integrated into many areas of medtech, including: 

• Diagnostics: Machine learning tools can quickly analyze large amounts of medical data, like X-rays, MRIs and lab tests, and spot patterns that might be missed by humans. 
• Medical devices: AI-powered medical devices, such as robotic surgical systems and AI-based endoscopes, are using computer vision and data to become more precise over time. 
• Wearable devices: Smartwatches and trackers use a variety of AI technologies to monitor heart rates, blood oxygen levels, and glucose levels, alerting patients and doctors before problems become serious. 
• Implantable devices: Pacemakers or neurostimulators use AI to provide ongoing health support inside the body for scenarios such as brain injury management and treatment of pulmonary embolisms. 

 According to HTEC’s Director of Business Development, Andrew McGee, these AI-based MedTech innovations garnered so much attention at the conference because they are improving early disease detection, making surgical procedures more precise, and reducing healthcare costs by enabling at-home care and real-time monitoring. 

“It was clear from the conference that AI’s impact on the continuum of care is now center stage and driving massive shifts across all corners of the industry.”  

AI in MedTech is evolving faster than we think  

HTEC’s experts who attended the conference were inspired by how quickly AI technologies are being used in medical devices for real-time monitoring and faster and more accurate diagnoses. 

According to Andrew, the panels, demos, and keynote speeches at the conference felt like a validation of the industry’s migration to AI.  

“It’s reassuring to hear that industry leaders and new players alike are focusing rapid advancements in AI on areas like preventative and at-home care and cost reduction and operational efficiencies.” 

Alex Dukic, HTEC’s Chief Digital Officer, views the embrace of AI on display at The MedTech Conference as not only shaping the present but also setting the course for the future of healthcare. 

“AI is revolutionizing MedTech by improving device functionality and diagnostics and accelerating innovation. As we continue to leverage the power of AI, the impact on preventive care and furthering the access to care is truly remarkable.” 

Collaboration is key for MedTech innovation 

During The MedTech Conference, the HTEC team connected with MedTech enterprise leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors who are innovating with AI to provide more personalized and precise patient care. 

The team also pointed out that The MedTech Conference excels at fostering collaboration between MedTech companies and healthcare providers, giving them the opportunity to have conversations that would otherwise occur in a slower and more siloed fashion, or not occur at all. 

Summing up the conference, Alex Dukic said: 

“The MedTech Conference continues to bring together innovators to push healthcare forward. The cutting-edge technologies at the conference, driven by scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors, demonstrate the power of collaboration in this industry. For HTEC, the conference is invaluable for engaging with industry leaders and highlighting the impact we can make by working together and delivering the solutions they need. We look forward to returning, confident that this conference will keep driving the future of healthcare.”  

Ready to discover how HTEC’s advanced technology solutions can support your healthcare projects? Connect with our healthcare and medtech experts .