Technology Overkill?

Over the past few years, there have been some really great technologies that have changed the way we live our lives. Smartphones are the easiest example. Life would be a lot different if I didn’t have instant access to my e-mail, the weather, the spinning schedule at my gym, or Fruit Ninja. While many technology advancements have certainly improved the way we live our lives, there are some that may be technology overkill. Like a washing machine or dryer that you can remotely monitor and control from your PC, or a Mercedes Benz that can shift the direction of your headlights away from the oncoming traffic. A washing machine that you turn on yourself, or headlights that point straight ahead are alternative options that accomplish the same end goal, they just do it much more cost-effectively than the high-tech ways. Don’t get me wrong, the development and engineering that went behind these things is super impressive, but sometimes, the bang is just not worth the buck.

In the medical device industry, we too have seen some really great technologies over the past few years. In Steve’s latest post, he highlights a few of them. One technology in particular that has been repeatedly praised for its technological prowess is the Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery system marketed by Intuitive Surgical. The Da Vinci system has proven to be successful in reducing complications for men who have prostate surgery, compared with traditional methods [1]. However, a recent article suggests that the results are not the same for hysterectomies. Complication rates were about the same for both the robotic assisted hysterectomies and the minimally-invasive non robotic hysterectomies [2]. The only difference researchers have found is the price tag. Da Vinci systems go for about $1.5 million, and procedures that use the device are significantly more expensive [2]. Despite any controversies over its usefulness, the Da Vinci system has certainly captured a place in the market.

Ten years down the road from now, it will be interesting to see what has happened with all of these high-tech advancements. Will they become the standard, or will they fizzle out? Only time will tell us whether it is technology overkill, or if these technologies really present such a great benefit to our society that they are here to stay.

- Sherri

[1] Questions remain on value of robot prostate surgery. Reuters Health. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/06/us-robot-surgery-idUSBRE88518P20120906

[2] Robot-assisted hysterectomies on the rise. Reuters Health. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/19/us-robot-hysterectomies-idUSBRE91I18I20130219