How Google is Changing Your Healthcare
By: Dr. Matt, Mbbs Bsc
Tags: Health, Google, Healthcare, Future, Technology

There are few industries more in need of a digital revolution than healthcare. Morale is falling as systems fall behind their private counterparts. Companies are aware of this and many are striving to fill the technical cravings of the medical sector in the 21st century.

One prominent company investing heavily in medical technology is Google. Google is attempting to transform healthcare with its expertise in big data and AI. They have a tremendous capability to improve all aspects of medical practice and research. But in a field that is built on the phrase ‘Do no harm’, does Google have the moral code to be trusted with our healthcare data.

In this article, we will delve into some of the projects Google are doing, as well as discuss the ethical issues around each.

Why Google?

A doctor is effectively an expert in pattern recognition. They spend years at medical school learning as many patterns as possible, then attempt to see these patterns in patients in order to diagnose them. E.g. a patient with epigastric pain, vomiting and a raised amylase (blood test) = pancreatitis. The pattern is their symptoms, signs and investigations, which all add up to their diagnosis.

This form of pattern recognition lends itself to artificial intelligence, and seeing as though Google is the biggest in this business, it places them in the perfect position to capitalise on this lucrative market.

How Google is Tackling Disease

Google is using a smart approach to tackle some of the world’s most complex diseases. It does this initially by (you guessed it) data generation. It does this through its wearables and analysing imaging, e.g. CT, MRI, etc. It is then attempting to use AI to detect diseases using this data. It is then using this data combined with its wearable tech to help patients make positive lifestyle modifications.

Eye Disease

Diabetic retinopathy happens in patients with poorly controlled diabetes. It is the result of damage to the small vessels at the back of the eye and in severe cases can cause blindness. There is a characteristic appearance at the back of the eye at various stages of this disease. Google (or more precisely its subsidiary Verily) is attempting to detect these changes using AI. It has partnered with a subsidiary of Nikon, Optos, which produces machines for retinal imaging.

In a paper published by the company, they state that their algorithms are as accurate as ophthalmologists at detecting diabetic retinopathy.

Google AI Research

Diabetes

Google, again through Verily, are attempting to solve the issue of blood glucose monitoring. Currently, diabetics have to prick there fingers to draw blood in order to directly measure their blood sugar level.

The current method for blood glucose monitoring — Image by Tesa Robbins from Pixabay

Verily, alongside a medical device company called Dexcom, have produced the Dexcom G6. This device measures the glucose level of interstitial fluid (the fluid between your cells) just beneath the skin. Currently, this device needs once a day calibration with blood glucose levels, but the hope is the next iteration will function without this, therefore, removing the need for diabetics to record blood sugar directly from their blood.

This will be welcome news to thousands of needle-phobic diabetes sufferers, currently having to prick their fingers multiple times a day.

Heart Disease

Google is attempting to develop tools that will allow improved monitoring of heart disease. Its first attempt is the Study Watch produced by Verily. The watch includes an ECG and heart rate monitor which can be used to monitor the signs of heart disease.

Study Watch by Verily

This is currently the only tool in use.

However, Google has patented designs for a passive heart monitor. This monitor would image areas of key blood flow and use optical sensors and machine vision to provide a continuous monitor of general heart health. Google have hypothesised that this device could also help detect signs of stroke and cardiac arrhythmias, which cause characteristic changes in blood flow.

Parkinson’s Disease

Verily has partnered with teams in the Netherlands to sift through anonymised data of patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease in an attempt to help identify the disease earlier as well as improve its management. This project has been called the Personalized Parkinson’s Project.

It also acquired a company called Lift Labs, which created the Liftware Spoon that is designed to help those suffering from Parkinson’s to stabilize their food while eating, further indicating that Google has a desire to move into the medical device market.