Chapter 9

1. Chapter 9 Computerized Medical Devices, Assistive Technology, and Prosthetic Devices

2. Computerized Medical Instruments • Medical instruments containing microprocessors. • Computerized drug delivery systems automate drug delivery. • Insulin pump with a chip allows user to control the amount of insulin administered. • Device for glucose testing worn like a watch and takes fluid through the skin using electric currents; electrodes measure the glucose.

3. Computerized Monitoring Systems • Physiological monitoring systems analyze blood. • Arrhythmia monitors monitor heart rates. • Pulmonary monitors measure blood flow through the heart and respiratory rate. • Fetal monitors that measure heart rate of the fetus. • Neonatal monitors monitor infant heart and breathing rates.

4. Networked Devices • Computerized devices are most likely to be found in • Emergency rooms • Operating rooms • Critical care units • Intensive care units

5. Computerized Devices in Optometry/Ophthalmology • Optomap Panoramic200 examines retina. • Biomicroscopes help diagnose cataracts. • Tonometers help measure eye pressure. • Corneal topography maps cornea. • Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph scans retina. • GDx Access measures retinal nerve fiber. • Tracey Visual Functional Analyzer measures how eye focuses light.

6. Assistive Devices • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires reasonable accommodation to allow physically challenged people to work • Speech recognition • Speech synthesizers • Alternative mice (head mouse, puff straw) • Line-of-sight input

7. Augmentative Communications Devices • Help people communicate • Covered by Medicare • Using a computer to speak for you • Experimental work on neural implants to allow people to use brain waves to communicate via computer

8. Environmental Control Systems • Use of speech recognition or a single switch to control appliances in a home environment • Helps physically challenged people live independently

9. Prosthetic Devices • Myoelectric prosthetic limbs with microprocessors that respond to electrical signals from residual limb • C-leg computerized lower leg that adjusts to change in pace • Retinal implants to help people see • Digital hearing aid to help people hear • Cochlear implant to help people hear

10. FES Technology • CFES or FES delivers low-level electrical stimulation • Pacemakers—low level electrical stimulation for the heart • Implantable cardioverter defibrillator—monitors heart rate and gives a jolt of electricity when needed • Breathing pacemakers—control breathing by sending electrical impulses to the phrenic nerve

11. FES Technology (continued) • Pacemakers for the brain—reduce seizures in people with epilepsy, helps control tremors in Parkinson’s • To strengthen paralyzed muscles • Restore movement to some paralyzed limbs • Parastep covered by Medicare.

12. Bluetooth Technology • Bluetooth is a wireless technology embedded in computerized devices. • It allows computerized devices to communicate with each other. • A person wearing a pacemaker and carrying a cell phone could have a heart attack and the pacemaker would tell the cell phone to call 911.

13. Risks Posed by Implants • Risk of rejection • Risk of infection • Risk of blood clots