Artificial Intelligence in Health Care – 2019

-- Rukmani Vinay Dasarapu.

Website url: https://www.k-digibiz.com/

September 29, 2019, celebrated as National Family and Fitness Day in US. Although there is a lot of progress made in the field of health care, the challenge to bridge the gap for easy access to the best medical service is being addressed through Artificial Intelligence (AI). A lot of innovation and automation is being created using AI, new applications are being built that give easy access to health information, better preventive and treatment options. AI will help patients save time, cost and recovery time. The most popular use of devices using AI is the use of wearable.

Health Tracking and Monitoring Systems

Wearable health trackers – like the FitBit, Apple, Garmin and others – monitors heart rate and track activity levels. They can send alerts to the user to get more exercise and can share this information to doctors (or AI systems) for additional data points on the needs and habits of patients.

Access to diagnostic information
is a big step towards recovery. If you can diagnose issues like Cancer, Diabetes, Alzhiemers, at a very early stage. There is a lot of scope to prevent, cure and even reverse these conditions.

Many Apps have been designed to provide such vital diagnostic results using Artificial Intelligence.

1.       Symptomate gives you an accurate evaluation of your health

i.              Enter symptoms

ii.             Answer a few questions

iii.            Done! You will receive information about:

·   possible causes of your symptoms

·   options for what to do next

·    suggested lab tests

2.       Ada asks questions regarding symptoms
and provides a diagnosis based on the
user’s response. It produces diagrams showing which of the symptoms for each disease were present and the strength of
the link, and a diagram of the percentage
of people likely to have that diagnosis.

Ada plans to customize their software to collect data on the prevalence of diseases, like malaria, which may help to prevent epidemics.

3.   Your.MD, everyone can access health information they need – wherever, whenever, for free. Users can check their symptoms via the company AI chatbot, view health information provided by the UK's NHS Choices and find next-step recommendations via its OneStop Health™ platform.

4.   Babylon - Babylon Health is a health service provider that provides remote consultations with doctors and health care professionals via text and video messaging through its mobile application. The subscription private healthcare services opened in the UK in 2013 and have since been expanded internationally to Rwanda, Canada and China.

 In the UK Babylon's NHS services cover more than 40,000 registered user-patients which has caused controversial disputes over NHS funding models.

Radiation therapy device for Cancer Treatment[4]

The CyberKnife System is a radiation therapy device, it is used to deliver radio surgery for the treatment of benign tumors, malignant tumors and other medical conditions.

CyberKnife System is a non-invasive treatment for cancerous and non-cancerous tumors and other conditions where radiation therapy is indicated. It is used to treat conditions throughout the body, including tumors of the prostate, lung, brain, spine, head and neck, liver, pancreas, kidney, and certain gynecologic indications, and can be an alternative to surgery or for some patients who have inoperable or surgically complex tumors. What makes the CyberKnife System unique is that it is the only fully robotic radiation delivery system. The robotic design, coupled with real-time imaging, enables the CyberKnife System to deliver a maximum dose of radiation directly to the tumor from many different angles with sub-millimeter precision. The CyberKnife System does this by tracking and adjusting for tumor or patient movement during treatment to minimize radiation exposure to healthy organs and tissues. Besides delivering the radiation with greater precision, the CyberKnife System removes the necessity for breath-holding or chest immobilization, making the treatment more comfortable for patients who may have compromised lung function.

Robotic-assisted Surgery[2]

 In the past, open surgery was the only way surgeons could operate. These surgeries required surgeons to make a long incision, and cut through muscles, tissues and bones to see the parts that needs operation. Although this method is still used for treatment patients Artificial Intelligence has made good progress in the healthcare field. Patients can now opt for more efficient and less invasive surgical options like – laparoscopy, da vinci and Robotics assisted surgery systems like the renaissance guidance surgery system. For Laparoscopy and thoracoscopic surgeries doctors insert special long-handled tools to perform surgery while viewing magnified images on a video screen.

1.    Da Vinci surgery system - With da Vinci, your surgeon sits at a console next to you and operates using tiny instruments through a few small incisions. A camera that provides a high-definition, 3D magnified view inside your body. Every hand movement your surgeon makes is translated by the da Vinci System in real-time to bend and rotate the instruments with precision.

List of Robotic-assisted procedures using the da vinci surgey system -

     - Colorectal condition

     - Bariatric surgery
- Gallbladder surgery
- Inguinal hernia repair
- Ventral hernia repair
- Acid reflux disease surgery (nissen fundoplication)
- Stomach surgery (gastrectomy)
- Pancreas surgery (pancreatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy/Whipple procedure)
- Small bowel surgery
- Spleen surgery (splenectomy)
- Urology – Kidney and Prostate
- Gynecologic conditions – Hysterectomy – Benign and cancer, Pelvic Organ     Prolapse Surgery
- Head and neck conditions - cancers of the mouth, soft palate, tongue, throat.
- Thoracic (chest) conditions affecting the lungs, esophagus (muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach), trachea (windpipe), ribs and breastbone, connective muscles and tissues, and membranes that line your chest cavity,  gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), benign tumors, trauma-related injuries, hernias in this region, and others

Refer to https://www.davincisurgery.com/ for more details and to locate a Surgeon.

Renaissance – Spine Surgery[3]

·         Utilizing Mazor Robotics Renaissance® Guidance System in a spine program can improve the execution and outcomes in a wide variety of procedures, including: minimally-invasive and percutaneous degenerative repair, pedicle screw fixation for complex spinal deformity, and vertebral augmentation.

·         Renaissance Spine Surgery uses the following 4 steps – Pre-operative plan, Mount, 3d sync, operate

Managing and Analyzing Data and Medical Records

Artificial intelligence is used for compiling and analyzing information (like medical records and other past history), data management.

Robots collect, store, re-format, and trace data to provide faster, more consistent access.
Robots are used to analyze tests, X-Rays, CT scans, data entry, and other mundane tasks that can be done faster and more precisely. Especially in the field of Cardiology and radiology. This helps Cardiologists and radiologists to focus on complicated cases where human supervision is useful.

Reference

[1] https://novatiosolutions.com/10-common-applications-artificial-intelligence-healthcare/
[2] https://www.davincisurgery.com/
[3] https://mazorrobotics.com
[4] https://www.cyberknife.com

Press Release: Astu Eco Named Finalist in National Geographic and Sky Ocean Ventures’ Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge

September 20, 2019

Astu Eco, a leading Indian provider of eco-friendly alternatives to plastics, has been named as one of twenty-four finalists in the Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge, a global search initiated by National Geographic Society and Sky Ocean Ventures to identify innovative solutions that help tackle the world’s single-use plastic problem. It is the only Indian Company to be selected in the design challenge category.

National Geographic and Sky Ocean Ventures launched the Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge focused on identifying strategies to address the growing issue of plastic pollution in three different areas: (1) Identifying opportunities for industries to address plastic waste throughout their supply chains; (2) Communicating the breadth of the plastic pollution problem through data visualization; and (3) Designing alternatives to single-use plastics.

The Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge is a key component of National Geographic’s “Planet or Plastic?” initiative, a global effort to significantly reduce the amount of single-use plastic that reaches the ocean by raising awareness, elevating science and education, advancing innovation, and inspiring action.

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/funding-opportunities/innovation-challenges/plastic/finalists/

Astu Eco’s earth-friendly disposable container boxes with lids was selected from a pool of 100s of innovations that were submitted for selection in the Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge. The containers uses Areca palm leaves that can be used to store any food ingredients, like meals, groceries etc. Like all of Astu Eco products, the Areca palm leaf disposable containers are entirely eco-friendly, excellent quality, sturdy and elegant looks, compostable and can be used as manure, unused products can be stored for up to two years in airtight conditions 100% biodegradable packaging; zero plastic used, and a highly efficient replacement for traditional plastic one time use food containers.

Anitha Shankar announced that her team is already working with Areca producers to ensure there is minimal wastage of the renewable raw material resource during collection and transit. And plans to scale up the production to meet the growing needs specifically for the B2B sector.

  

“Astu Eco was founded on its ability to innovate to address the challenges of our end users face, who needed alternatives to plastic products. The need for environmentally sustainable solutions across a broad range of applications for everyday use is clear to us, from shopping to kitchenware to travel essentials. The disposable containers - along with all of our other eco friendly alternatives to plastic products – has been designed to meet this market demand,” said Anitha Shankar, Founder of Astu Eco. 

“We are proud to have been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge. We look forward to competing in the next stage.”

Contacts

Investors / Media:

contact@astueco.com

+91 9845 780 264

To Publish on this blog write to Rukmani Vinay Dasarapu.

Website url: https://www.k-digibiz.com/

Stop Plastic Pollution - Choose Eco Friendly Products!

-- Rukmani Vinay Dasarapu.

Website url: https://www.k-digibiz.com/

Some of the jaw dropping views in the world, beautiful places including the wildest and unbelievably lush landscapes; cascading waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and cloud fringed mountains will no longer be pristine windows to absolute serenity. If we continue with our mindless plastic littering habits.
If you want to stop clogging our environment with plastic, there are many alternatives that you can choose from. 

Bengaluru based duo Anitha Shankar (Ani) and Tejshree Madhu (TJ) started Astu Eco Ventures in 2017, with an intent to get rid of the plastic menace. They make beautifully crafted earth friendly products, that are superb alternates to plastics. Right from eco-friendly bags for vegetables and groceries, party packs, tableware, cutlery to customized products.
If carrying bulky cloth / Jute bag to public functions like weddings is not convenient, Astu has created bags that can be wearable. Recently launched Forget-Me-Not pouches that can be easily carried anywhere. 

"Veggie-to-Fridgie shopping bags that was

launched in July 2018 is the most popular among the Astu Products sold here" tells Mayukh a store manager, at The Organic World, Bengaluru.

Astu Eco sells all its products online through their website, the better India shop, Amazon, Face Book, WhatsApp and through emails. Their shoppers are impressed with zero plastic packaging, not even a cello tape.

Dinesh Tadapalli a 32-year-old business man from US shares, " I first heard about Astu Eco in an online article about their innovative Veggie-to-Fridgie bags. In the USA, a lot people have transitioned to use reusable bags at checkout but still use plastic bag at produce section. Astu Eco's innovative way to having the pouches snap-fit to the larger bag using metal buttons. Their areca-based products are with excellent quality and shape that stands out from the competition. Also, I'm impressed by their dedication in researching on new product for the better environment. Their uniqueness shows not just in their product but their effort to make sure customers use them. For example, a reminder door tag/sticker which comes along with their Forget Me Not bag helps customer to lead a plastic free lifestyle". He started Planeteer LLC, to promote and spread the use of eco-friendly products in the US. 

Arjun Shetty, an online consumer was forced to look out for eco-friendly alternatives after Maharashtra government banned plastics. "It is sensible to move to cloth bags, as one cloth bag works for ages versus a plastic bag or which can be used only for couple of weeks", says Arjun. He loves Astu Eco bags. 

Old habits die-hard. Changing your habits is a process that involves several stages. Sometimes it takes a while before changes become new habits. Astu Eco updates thought-provoking videos and demonstrations for changing your plastic addiction through their YouTube channel Eco Beat. Anitha explains, " I think it starts by first understanding what damage we are doing? The extent of the impact in such a short time is almost irreversible - the great garbage patch is one. How did that happen and who was responsible? Everyone who use plastic and throw them indiscriminately. Recycling of plastic is a very small percentage globally. Hardly 2 to 7 %. India is much better in recycling percentage". 

Unmesh Lamture, Manager at "The Better India" the first portal of choice for new and innovative products from Astu Eco. Unmesh feels that plastic is something that largely enters our life when we are “on the go”. We pick up a plastic bottle of water when we are travelling, or we need to use a plastic bag when we pick up groceries after work. A little planning and being prepared is all it takes to lead a plastic free life. "I like their Forget-Me-Not bag, is a petite pouch bag that can be carried anywhere, so even if you buy something unplanned, you don’t need to use a new plastic bag. The folks at Astu Eco are looking at the lifestyles of modern, urban people- perhaps the biggest consumers of plastic- and finding ways to offer a sustainable alternative. This makes it easier to move to a more sustainable paradigm through simple ways".

"It’s like a dream come true for me for the storage of veggies judiciously in to my fridge!! Veggie-to-fridgie…so so convenient to use" shares Gaya Murali, Astu Eco Customer. 

Manisha Soti, 47years started NatureRustic in Singapore after she was fascinated by Areca palm leaf products while on a trip to India. She says that "Astu Eco's products are very sensible and apt for today's consumer. I love their take-away boxes made of areca palm leaves. I feel it is a great product as it eliminates the use of the environment damaging plastic/styrofoam boxes that have become so common. Anitha and TJ are easy to work with as they are open to feedback which helps us to better understand our customers' needs and customize a product accordingly. I love their Veggie to Fridgie bags-right size, good sturdy material, bag comes with 8 various sized pouches to weigh and hold all different types of fruits and veggies, I can finish all my grocery shopping of the week with that bag!" 

Anitha and TJ were startled at how plastic had damaged our environment significantly - cities like Bengaluru are getting flooded because of clogged drains. Plastic pollution has affected - animals in the wild, oceans, and within the cities. Farmers are using plastic cover for drip irrigation, saplings in plastic pouches and many such will eventually make that land non-arable. Landfills like Mandur causing havoc and health hazards to residents in and around, and the list goes on. Instead of just saying stop using plastic they decided to offer alternate products that naturally degradable and are aesthetically appealing.

When asked on how we can further improve the situation Anitha says that, " The Govt needs to be braver. They have to stop production instead of imposing a ban on consumers alone. The primary disposable plastics come from large businesses like Coke, Bisleri, milk, grocery packing etc. they were earlier using glass bottles. What is stopping them now? More importantly research houses, startups, scientists and everyone who can work towards coming up with cost effective functional alternatives should work to bring these into the market ". 

They are working with many B2B companies to replace one time use plastics.

As consumers we need to be more aware that plastic is cheap, but it is a costly mistake, that needs to be paid by the next generation. 

Each of us can collectively make a difference. Choose right, choose biodegradable products!