Technology I n Medicine

1. Technology In Medicine Michael Shadrin 4/25/11 Comp 089

2. Introduction • The evolution of modern technology played a crucial role in advancing medicine. • Computer technology has become an essential part of modern medicine and is found in many different procedures and treatments of diseases.

3. Vaccines and Medicines • The creation of vaccines and medicines would be impossible without the help of computer technology. • Most microscopes used in the creation of a medicine are electronic to ensure accuracy. • Sample analysis is done using computer systems to determine the compounds found in testes samples.

4. Medical Monitor • A medical monitor is a simple machine that monitors a persons vital signs including heart rate and blood pressure. • Works by using heart and blood pressure monitors that read vital signs and display them on an LCD screen.

5. Defibrillater • A defibrillator works by using an electrical shock to restart a persons heart rhythm in the case of cardiac arrest or failure. • The electrical shock disrupts the heart’s rhythm and starts it over thereby correcting an arrhythmia (irregular heart beat). • Very useful found in most professional first aid kits and all hospitals.

6. Dialysis Machine • A dialysis machine is used to replace kidney function in the event of renal failure. • It works by filtering the blood for the person through the machine. • Used in all major hospitals for kidney patients.

7. EEG Machine • Electroencephalography or EEG is the recording of brain activity by mapping out brain waves. • An EEG is used both in medicine and psychology to treat brain diseases. • Used mostly in the testing of seizures and brain research.

8. CT Scanning • CT or x-ray computed tomography is the method where an x-ray is used to map out a 3D representation of a persons body. • CT scans are used to find tumors, hemorrhaging and bone trauma in the head, neck, chest, and abdomen. • They are very useful in detecting diseases like cancer and are found in most major hospitals.

9. MRI Machine • MRI or magnetic resonance imaging is a lot like a CT scan but instead it uses nuclear magnetic resonance to show the image of a persons atoms and therefore an image of their body. • Useful in bone and muscle injuries as well as finding tumors and abnormalities in the body. • MRI machines are also found in most major hospitals.

10. Robotic Surgery • Robotic surgery involves the use of a robotic extension in order to perform surgery on a patient. • It is usually performed through a console, that controls the multiple robotic arms which all hold different sets of equipment. • These arms are very precise and can perform surgery techniques that aren’t humanly possible. • Decreased blood loss, smaller incisions, less pain and a less healing time are all benefits of robotic surgery. • However, these machines are very expensive so not all hospitals can afford them.

11. Robotic Surgery (video) • http://vimeo.com/6406222

12. Conclusion • These are just some of the major technologies used in the medical field, and there are still new technologies coming out constantly. • As technology advances we should see more diseases being cured and more deaths being stopped.