AI is currently one of the hottest topics, and with the rapid development of AI technology, its applications are becoming increasingly widespread. Thanks to advancements in AI-related technologies, the healthcare industry is also moving towards a more intelligent, lightweight, and precise direction. This article will introduce you to the applications and developments of AI technology in the healthcare industry, as well as the efforts and solutions that Molex has made for related applications.
Artificial intelligence has brought about a revolutionary impact on the healthcare industry
In recent years, the world has become increasingly aware of the potential of big data, machine learning, and AI. In fact, the ability to extract unique insights from vast amounts of unstructured data using intelligent algorithms and game-changing computing power is poised to have a revolutionary impact on the healthcare industry.
Taking drug development as an example. It's a complex and expensive business involving the search for molecules that can impact biological processes in very specific ways, developing these molecules into prototype drugs, and then pushing them through three phases of clinical trials. However, the failure rate of this approach is quite high, to the extent that getting a drug to market can take decades and cost billions of dollars. The application of big data and AI technologies has the potential to make the drug development process more efficient and cost-effective.
On the other hand, connected drug delivery systems can provide better healthcare to patients. These systems combine traditional therapeutics with computer-mediated drug delivery to ensure patients receive the right medication at the right time and in the right dosage. They can help patients get the full benefits of prescription drugs by ensuring compliance with dosing regimens. These systems can also adjust drug delivery based on a patient's condition by monitoring relevant vital signs, thus allowing patients to live at home rather than in a hospital. They establish a close feedback loop between patients and healthcare providers, improving monitoring and supervision processes. They also provide validated patient data for further analysis in other situations.
Moreover, the need for social distancing and isolation means that people will face new challenges in accessing the healthcare they need. The demand for new working methods has given rise to a range of new technologies that allow people not only to remotely connect with healthcare service providers but also to perform more diagnostics and care at home. Patients can connect to devices that regularly read vital signs like temperature, glucose levels, or blood pressure. Data is securely transmitted to cloud services via the internet, where it can be analyzed using technologies such as AI and machine learning. This data can then be stored or sent to doctors or other professionals for review.
Artificial intelligence drives rapid development in data centers and wearable devices
To establish a comprehensive digital healthcare platform, it is essential to first build a data center. With rapid advancements in AI capabilities, a fierce competition has emerged to meet future demands for powerful data centers. As the complexity of AI applications continues to increase and the demand for computation grows exponentially, the ongoing development of AI presents new challenges for power management in data centers. Power may determine which data centers can elevate their processing capabilities to higher levels and maintain a leading position.
On the other hand, machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks have become powerful tools for data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision-making. However, these AI applications require significant computing power and energy to operate effectively. Training large AI models can consume substantial electrical power, and specialized hardware such as Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) or Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) is often used to perform the complex matrix calculations required for deep learning algorithms. These dedicated hardware units are designed to handle vast amounts of data and optimize the processing required for machine learning.
Furthermore, today's top data centers can provide data transfer rates of up to 112 Gbps. Many data centers are upgrading their hardware and connectors to achieve this speed and performance level. The trend of building 224 Gbps-PAM4 data centers is emerging to meet the growing demand for AI processing. However, doubling the data transfer rates across data centers worldwide will be a challenging task, as it will require a significant increase in power generation.
On the other hand, as smartphones and wearable medical devices become more widespread, the combination of intuitive touch screens allows consumers to use highly complex functionalities with confidence. Additionally, with the rollout of 5G wireless communication networks, large volumes of data can be shared without physical connections, enabling devices to use the internet from anywhere and exchange information, responding quickly to evolving needs and conditions.
The healthcare industry has introduced various wearable devices that are now no longer limited to hospital use. These precision devices are small and portable, allowing patients to carry or wear them. These devices feature miniaturized electronic designs and user-friendly touchscreen controls, ushering in a new generation of wearable technology. Patients can lead their daily lives freely, even while undergoing monitoring or treatment based on data functionality.
Molex Mirror Mezz Enhanced Connector
Improving human lives and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare system
Molex and its subsidiary, Phillips-Medisize, leverage their expertise in hardware, software, and user experience design to effectively address the challenges of developing healthcare systems. For instance, Molex collaborates with pharmaceutical companies to advance their connected drug delivery projects, supporting the entire process from concept development to clinical supply and commercial launch of CE marked, FDA approval device.
Molex plays various roles in the development of connected drug delivery systems. On one hand, Molex provides interconnect solutions that enable efficient operation of cloud data centers for large-scale data analytics. On the other hand, Molex is supporting the rollout of next-generation 5G mobile networks and 5G-enabled smartphones, which will connect these devices and create new use cases.
5G offers several key supporting features for connected healthcare. The design goal of the 5G standard is to support a thousand times more devices per unit area than 4G. If connected drug delivery systems become as widespread as fitness trackers, 5G will have the capability to provide the required connectivity. Additionally, the low-power, low-data-rate communication standards may enable future drug delivery or related medical devices to connect through simple Internet of Things (IoT) protocols.
Molex is also committed to collaborating with customers on digital drug delivery as a new approach to improving patient treatment outcomes. Using AI and machine learning, clinical doctors and researchers can gain more accurate insights into how drugs, delivery systems, and other medical devices and technologies need to be adjusted for the best possible treatment for each individual.
Molex offers a variety of solutions to meet the demands of the healthcare market. For example, the Mirror Mezz Enhanced Connector addresses the higher power requirements of data centers and enable efficient heat management, supporting signal (data) processing at rates of up to 224 Gbps (PAM4) in medical AI applications. These connectors are suitable for 450W and 1000W GPU models and offer excellent air and liquid cooling performance. For wearable devices, Molex offers a traditional flat flexible cable (FFC) alternative known as the Easy-On series connector, which provides a low-profile solution with fine pitch for quickly and securely connecting FFC to a variety of other components.
For high-performance RF connectors and cables needed to integrate the latest medical devices into 5G networks, Molex offers the MCRF series of micro coaxial RF connectors, providing a high-frequency board-to-wire solution that allows designers to achieve wireless LAN, GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity. The ultra-low-profile PCB-mount jack can be used with pre-assembled cables.
Quad-Row Board-to-Board Connector
High-strength and high-reliability Quad-Row Board-to-Board Connectors
In AI and healthcare applications, customers are looking to meet the market demand for product miniaturization without compromising on performance parameters. They also want to avoid the risk of connector damage during the mating process. To address these needs, Molex has introduced a Quad-Row Board-to-Board Connector with a fine-pitch low-profile design. This connector can deliver up to 3.0 A of power, supports standard SMT processes, and features shielded molded pins with inner covers to provide robustness and prevent connector damage. The Quad-Row Board-to-Board Connector offers robust capabilities to achieve higher strength and reliability. The internal armor and insert-molded power nail protect the pins from damage during high-volume manufacturing and assembly. These features, along with a wide guide, facilitate easy and secure mating while reducing failure rates.
Molex's Quad-Row Board-to-Board Connector uses a staggered circuit layout for positioning the pins in four rows with a signal contact pitch of 0.175mm, saving 30% of space while achieving high-density circuit connections. The connector has a height of 0.60mm, a width of 2.00mm, and a length of 3.10mm (total pitch), making it the world's smallest board-to-board connector. It is ideal for space-constrained applications such as smartphones, smartwatches, wearable devices, AR/VR devices, and more.
Since 2020, Molex has shipped over 50 million of these Quad-Row Connectors to support the world's highest-selling smartwatches. These connectors align with the trend of miniaturization in printed circuit boards and flexible components, meeting the demands for product miniaturization and creating opportunities across various industries. Additionally, customers in the consumer and medical device sectors are adopting lean manufacturing practices to boost productivity, and using larger reel sizes helps increase output using the same resources.
Conclusion
The rapid development of technologies like big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence has brought about a revolutionary impact on healthcare applications. Whether it's drug development, connected drug delivery systems, remote health data monitoring, or the use of medical wearable devices, AI technology is poised to enhance human lives significantly. Molex offers a range of connector solutions to meet the needs of AI and healthcare applications in areas such as power, wearable devices, RF antenna connections, and more.