TECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE

Michael Shadrin4/25/11

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

EEG Machine Electroencephalogra

phy 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.