Health care consumers increasingly expect services delivered in the comfort of their own homes and also products that they can purchase directly at an affordable price. Meanwhile, AI and other emerging technologies are transforming heathcare processes all the way from drug discovery to disinfecting hospitals to reducing the stress of caregivers. With these trends in mind, we have identified ten of the most exciting medtech categories, companies and product innovations on the horizon in 2023.

1. Toilets that monitor your health

Tech-enabled diagnostic toilets for home bathrooms have been on the market since 2002 but are now becoming more commercially viable as people’s appetite for health- tracking devices has grown and as innovations in engineering are driving down the price and improving the utility. Withings has created a tiny, urine analysis lab that sits within your toilet bowl. Their at-home bathroom health monitoring system allows users to track hydration and nutrient levels, wellness, ovulation, and even cycle tracking. The device is rechargeable and automated, giving users health information on a daily basis that some may only get once every year or so.

2. Selfies that scan your vital signs

AI in combination with signal processing and computer vision technology enables French start-up i-Virtual to measure vital signs with only a webcam and a 30 second video selfie– making the entire process quick, easy, and contactless. Their flagship product, Caducy, gives users their heart rate, breathing rate, stress level, HRV, and more.

3. Self-screening cancer detection

The Dotplot, UK Dyson award winner, is a device aimed to help detect breast cancer through at home self-checking. The device works with an app that keeps track of data and alerts users of any abnormalities/suspicious changes. While Dotplot does not diagnose anything, it is a great way for women to keep track of their health and frequently check their bodies for potentially harmful changes.

4. Medical monitoring wearables

Patients don’t like invasive diagnosis and treatments so health care providers are looking for wearable devices such as Aidmed’s chest-worn portable device, which monitors blood pressure, temperature, and electrocardiogram, and then utilizes AI to produce insights. Gate Science’s RELAY is a pain control wearable that eliminates the need for narcotics peri and post-operative.

5. DTC hearing aids

A recent example of how new players are entering the DTC medtech market is JLab. Previously focused on the wireless earbuds market, the company has now entered the hearing health category with direct-to-consumer hearing aids, offering accessible retail at a more affordable price.

6. AI-enabled drug discovery

AI image generation models are now being put to use by the biotech industry. Labs have discovered that they can use this same generative technology to create designs for proteins otherwise not seen in nature. Companies such as Generate Biomedicines with their program Chroma are doing just this, through what the company calls the “DALL-E 2 of biology.” The ultimate goal: to generate “computer-designed” proteins for drug designers.

7. AI enabled chatbots

Companies like Botco are providing chatbots that automate patient communication and provide insights and transcripts to help providers know what patients are looking for and what their concerns may be.

8. Robots and nanobots

Aeolus Robotics makes robots that patrol and disinfect hospitals. Using autonomous navigation, functioning arms and a UV light, the Aeo disinfects surfaces and enhances security and can also do food delivery. Meanwhile, Indian startup Theranautilus is using oral healthcare nanobots to treat tooth hypersensitivity and promote tooth regeneration.

9. Stress-less experiences

Since the pandemic, healthcare workers are reporting increased stress and anxiety, especially those working in loud, chaotic, environments. In an attempt to make a quieter ICU and reduce alert fatigue, Calmwave uses AI in combination with patient information to create a smarter alarm system for vital signs, one that reduces noises such as non-actionable alarms.

10. X-ray Vision

Orcana, a US-based startup, is making X-ray vision possibile for surgeons. Through the use of their Multi-user Augmented Reality System (MARS) technology, surgeons have the ability to simultaneously look at images while operating and maintaining hand-eye coordination. The tool also provides technique guidance and training.