In medicine, innovation is life and death.

Every advancement means another mother, another brother, another grandparent who could be saved. A new drug could cure cancer. The next surgical tool could prevent patients from bleeding to death on the operating table. A DNA discovery could free thousands from chronic pain.

They say hope is the best medicine. That hope lies in the hands of scientists working in labs around the country.

Bioengineers at the University of Michigan who are creating organs with a 3-D printer.

Oncologists in Pennsylvania who are turning cancer patients’ own cells into warriors.

Surgeons in Washington state and Alabama who are learning to operate without making a single cut.

They hope that by doing so, they can save lives.

But in order to truly heal the future, we have to do more than treat the sick and fix the broken. We have to make wellness a priority. So architects are working to design better communities; computer programmers are developing smart devices to keep us on a healthy path; neurologists are learning how to train the brain to stave off dementia.

As part of our focus on innovation, CNN is featuring 10 inventions or people that are changing the world. We’ve looked at cars, startups and visionary women. Now it’s time to honor innovations that will affect your body and your mind.

These 10 ideas are revolutionizing health care -- from the operating table to the kitchen table. Even those that don’t come to fruition as imagined will have forged a path for another that will one day save a life.

May we present The CNN 10: Healing the Future.

Editor’s note: Which idea or invention do you think will have the biggest impact on the future of medicine? Vote here and explain why in the comments below.