The gynaecological speculum hasn’t undergone any major design changes since the late 1800s, despite repeated attempts to push innovative alternatives into the mainstream. To find out why, we take a look at the history of the current design, and what is behind calls to change it. Also in this issue, we investigate the troubling rise of implicit racial bias in the AI algorithms used to guide healthcare decisions in hospitals.

In manufacturing news, we examine the potential of mini factories as a way to ease pressure on supply chains amid soaring demand for medical-grade personal protective equipment, take a look at an innovative method of treating bomb blast injuries using 3D printing ‘bone bricks’, and find out about iFixit’s quest to build the world’s most comprehensive medical equipment service database.

Plus, we speak to SonicWall CEO Bill Conner about the challenges of developing a secure contact tracing app, explore innovative research into self-powered technologies, and talk to the brains behind CureApp about the potential of digital therapeutics in the NASH space.

All this, plus the latest trends, insight and analysis in medical devices and technologies from GlobalData.

Eloise McLennan, editor