The e-health sector aims to develop digital solutions for patients. What are the challenges of this booming sector and for which specific applications?
The first Digital Health Meetings are being held on Thursday in Poitiers, at the initiative of the experimentation third-place Generations Santé Numérique (TLE GSN). Led by the Poitiers University Hospital and six partners, this structure supports the development and experimentation of technological innovations aimed at improving the care of the most vulnerable populations, particularly in pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, and disabilities. Integrated into the Prismatics team, led by Prof. Philippe Rigoard, the TLE GSN also relies on the Poitiers Clinical Investigation Center (INSERM 1402).
Emerging Projects
Digital health encompasses all digital tools and services applied to the medical field, from prevention to patient monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. It translates into devices such as digital medical records, telemedicine, connected devices, mobile applications, and artificial intelligence for analysis and diagnosis. This event discusses the various steps necessary for the development of innovation in digital health. “Starting from an identified need in the field, the goal is to design a digital medical device,” explains Manuel Roulaud, project manager in health technological innovation. We support project leaders towards technological transfer, in collaboration with the Technopoles of Grand Poitiers, La Rochelle, and Niort, as well as in the steps towards their market launch. Several challenges line this path: system interoperability, data security, ethical issues, intellectual property, and regulatory framework.
Innovations for the Future
Several initiatives illustrate the advancements in the sector, such as an application dedicated to urinary incontinence. “This application centralizes data, records real-time episodes, and provides doctors with a more precise evaluation.” Another notable project: Imasmart, led by Dr. Adrien Julian. This solution, currently in development, aims to collect passive data via an application to early detect Alzheimer’s disease. In La Rochelle, the company Hopevalley.ai has also developed a technology dedicated to early breast cancer detection. These tools contribute to making care more efficient, accessible, and personalized.
