Technology will Save our Minds and Bodies

GNED1002: Social Impact of SocietySubmitted by: Sheryl Tejada

Submitted to: Emily Brett12 APRIL 15

Agenda

Introduction Social Importance Medical Technology Examples Pros & Cons of Each Example Final Conclusions

Medical Technology

Medical technologies include a wide range of technology used to diagnose, monitor or treat diseases and medical conditions affecting humans.

It save lives, improve health and contribute to sustainable healthcare. Technology has come a long way to benefit and help/aid the health care industry.

Advantages of technology in the medical field are (but not limited to):

› Internet – main source of medical information› Health care facilities reaching out to patients via social media› Better treatment and less suffering› Improved patient care and work efficiency› Doctors are easier to reach (phone/cell) and better at their jobs

Social Importance

Saves lives/improves health Highly work and time efficient Increases quality of care Complex medical solutions Promotes independence Faster recovery time Increases economy

Human Cloning – Stem Cells

Around 2% of adults experience kidney disease, which results in thousands of deaths every year. Not only is there a waiting list to receive a donor kidney, but unfortunately, only 25% of those on the waiting list will receive the lifesaving call.

Human cloning has been used to create stem cells which is then used to grow human organs outside of the body, such as kidneys. It also can replace/repair damaged tissue or cells.

Due to the fact that the organ shall be grown using one’s own stem cells, the body will not reject the organ which may happen to those who receive a donor organ.

This technology can lead to new tissue-transplant operations which are able to benefit those who suffer from debilitating disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and spinal cord injuries.

This works by removing the nucleus from an unfertilized egg and replacing it with the nucleus of a skin cell. It is then given an electric shock which causes the cells to begin dividing until they form a ‘blastocyst’ (a small ball of a few hundred cells).

Stem Cell Diagram

Pros/Cons of Human Cloning

Pros Body will not reject the organ Do not have to rely/wait for a donor Replace/repair damaged tissues or cells Live-saving Endless Possibilities

Cons Costly/Expensive Larger/complicated organs such as the heart is still a working progress Political/religious opinions – “ We should not mess with human life” People may use this new technology to clone humans which may be used for

the wrong reasons such as creating a “super baby/human” or for selfish purposes.

Bionic Limbs

Controlled by the user’s brain

Users are able to climb stairs, walk on sloped terrains and flex an ankle just by thinking about the action – as if they were not missing that limb

The computer installed within the bionic limb is able to identify and learn the user's intended actions and provide an intuitive and responsive movement.

Designed of light weight material such as graphite and micro-technologies

The image above shows the neural impulses produced by the body which is them transferred to the computer within the bionic limb, thus providing the responsive movement based off the user’s intentions.

Pros/Cons of Bionic Limbs

Pros Fulfill the sensation of feeling to those who

are missing a certain limb Provide those with the disability of missing a

limb with the ability to perform actions as if they were not missing a limb – promotes freedom

Beneficial to the military/veteran community Light weight technology (10.2 pounds)

Cons Costly/Expensive Can take some time to get used to May cause some skin irritation

3D Medical Printing

Been used to replace bones, bring prosthetic devices to people in war-torn regions, and help within the prep stages for surgeries

A woman in Holland was given 3D printed skull following a devastating accident

A baby in Michigan was given a 3D printed tracheal splint – which saved the baby’s life

The image above shows a 3D printed jaw bone.

Pros/Cons of 3D Printing

Pros Advanced medical options Fast prototyping and manufacturing Customizable Help prep with surgeries Life saving Price is slowly decreasing

Cons Limited materials Can be used as creation for dangerous items Decrease manufacturing jobs

Other Medical Technologies

Flexible Mirco-electronics› Flexible electronics are able to wrap around irregular tissue forms and conform to their motion

where they are able to identify to different physiological parameters. 

Rapid Homeostasis System› This device is able to stop deep bleeding wounds by injecting tablet-sized pellets into the

wound that quickly expand and fill the wound space to make the bleeding stop.

Diabetes Monitoring/Glucose Control› This device delivers a nearly pain-free pricks anywhere on the body. It provides a vacuum

around the sampling site, vibrates the spot, and pierces the skin within .018 of a second.

Ambulance Drone› The drone is to be controlled by emergency responders to get to the patient where anyone

able to help can quickly access the electrode pads, prep the patient, and begin defibrillating in seconds.

Medtronic Micra› World’s smallest pacemaker

Final Conclusions

Medical Technology has come a long way and is proven to help diagnose, monitor and treat diseases and medical conditions.

It is proven to have saved the lives of many

Highly efficient in regards to time and work.

Medical technology is not perfect, but there is lots of room for improvement and even more possibilities.

References

A. Kreuger. (2010, December 10). 6 Ways Technology Is Improving Healthcare.Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/6-ways-technology-is-improving-healthcare2010-12?op=1

R.Buckman. (2009,June 26). In Pictures: 10 Life-Saving TechnologiesRetrieved from http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/26/life-saving-devices-technology-personalmonitors_slide_2.html

(2015, April 10). Health technologyRetrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_technology

L. Tan, K. Ong. The impact of medical technology on healthcare todayRetrieved from http://www.hkcem.com/html/publications/Journal/2002-4/231-236.pdf

S. Knapton. (2014, April 17). Breakthrough in human cloning offers new transplant hopeRetrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10774097/Breakthrough-in-human-cloningoffers-new-transplant-hope.html

L. Winter. (2013, December 16). Researchers grow human kidney using stem cellsRetrieved from http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/researchers-grow-human-kidney-using-stem-cell

L. Stinson. (2013, October 15). The Future of Prosthetics Could Be This Brain-Controlled Bionic LegRetrieved from http://www.wired.com/2013/10/is-this-brain-controlled-bionic-leg-the-future-of-prosthetics/

Stem Cell ResearchRetrieved from https://explorable.com/stem-cell-pros-and-cons

EDITORS. (2014, December 31). The Best Medical Technologies of 2014Retrieved from http://www.medgadget.com/2014/12/the-best-medical-technologies-of-2014.html

(2014, November 14). 3D Printing- The Pros and ConsRetrieved from http://www.augmentedrealitytrends.com/3d-printing/pros-and-cons.html