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ReportReportdigital twins to study calcium buildups in coronary arteries and use that research to guide algorithms to develop better cardiovascular risk predictions.
Digital twins in healthcare are real-time virtual copies of physical assets, processes or systems, in this case, human organs, healthcare facilities, or even individual patients. These digital twins can connect different data sources ranging from electronic health record (EHR), imaging, and wearable data to genomics, thus enabling comprehensive analytics and predictive assessments.
The power of digital twins was demonstrated, for instance, with the FDA-approved virtual heart model developed by Johns Hopkins University. This model enables cardiologist to simulate and predict cardiac behaviors with high precision which heralds the advent of tailored treatments According to a recent study, the global digital twin in healthcare market size was valued at approximately $3.55 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate
Digital twins in healthcare has tangible benefits seen in diagnostics, treatment, and operational (turning robots on/off) make digital twins in healthcare a significant application area of the digital twin concept.
One of the most exciting uses is the creation of digital twins of individual patients. And these models account for real-time biometric, genetic and physiological data to simulate treatments, predict responses to therapies and to plan surgical procedures. This makes precision medicine-based methods highly effective not only in improving patient outcomes but also in minimizing any unsafety factors. Researchers at Stanford University, for example, used digital twins to study calcium buildups in coronary arteries and use that research to guide algorithms to develop better cardiovascular risk predictions.
How digital twins would change the field of surgery is by allowing surgeons to practice and perfect complicated surgical procedures in a digital environment before ever attempting them on an actual patient. This groundbreaking advancement reduces the risks associated with surgery while also improving accuracy and recovery time. For example, digital twin heart simulations have increased the success rates for ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation by limiting complications.
Pharmaceutical research, in particular, benefits from digital twins that speed up drug development by simulating the interaction of the drug with a biological system of interest. This accelerates clinical trials and reduces the time and cost of developing new drugs. A prime example is Sanofi’s use of digital twins to enhance testing by simulating the responses of drug candidates during the preclinical stage.
Access to quality healthcare is a critical issue, especially in rural or underserved areas. Providing equitable healthcare services is necessary to address disparities and ensure all individuals have access to essential treatments, regardless of their location or income.
