Medical technology is changes quickly and on a daily basis, enhancing the methods doctors and scientists detect, treat and cure illnesses, diseases, health problems and health scares.In this article I would like to briefly discuss 5 advancements in medical technology. Below are just some of the most current breakthroughs in medical technology which are changing medical practices and creating amazing new avenues and options for cures, treatments and disease prevention. 1. Smartphone Ultrasound Technology Approximately a year ago at Washington University, Engineers were given a grant of around $100000 from Microsoft. This was used to amalgamate a USB-based ultrasound probe/sensor along with the latest and most advanced smartphone technology. The outcome was a palm-sized ultrasound appliance that allowed doctors and healthcare professionals in remote locations to take images of a patient’s liver, bladder, arteries, eyes, veins and kidneys in order to detect any problems. Amongst the many other things, this device are useful in the field of operations by military and air force personnel for “on the move” medical determinations. 2. Microbubbles to Treat Prostate Cancer Prostate growths have been routinely and typically medicated and treated by scraping the fleshy lining of the prostate walls by using a thin, metallic tool. At the University Of Michigan, Urologists developed a far less intrusive yet much more effective method of treatment. This medical procedure comprises of targeting highly-focused ultrasonic pulses towards the malignant growth, composing bubbles of absorbed gas. As all of these types of bubbles explode, it produces a little yet powerful shockwave (cavitation). When an increasing amount of shockwaves occur, the growth liquefies and is extracted. 3. Using Robotics in Surgery Current medical tools help doctors and surgeons perform surgical procedures with more accuracy and therefore decreasing the hazards associated with human error by providing them with much more control and accuracy and precision. Can you imagine a day when machines/robots are doing the jobs that the surgeons of today do? At Duke University, Engineers are focusing on bringing this futuristic idea to life. They are using 3D Ultrasound technology, a basic robot and the latest in A.I software to build a robot that can complete surgical procedures unaided. 4. Gamma Camera – Nuclear Medical Diagnostics High-resolution gamma cameras, or scintillation cameras, are very sophisticated pieces of equipment that allow radiologists to perform scintigraphy scans. These tests provide accurate information on the functions of the thyroid, lungs, heart and many other parts of the human body. They’ve already grown to be probably the greatest instrument for the early detection of breast cancer. Whilst the more traditional mammograms and medical examinations continue to be crucial, frequently they just don’t completely identify the dimensions or areas of the cancers. Breast-specific gamma imaging, or BSGI, is an innovative gamma camera concept that allows medical professionals to have a far better idea of potential cancerous development in early stages, therefore boosting the likelihood of effective treatment methods. 5. Destroying Tumours with Microwaves Conventional liver cancer therapy requires, in some cases, a complete transplant or even open surgical treatment – neither of which is always feasible for numerous sufferers. At UC San Diego’s Medical Center the latest solution is now being utilized - known as microwave ablation. This involves puncturing the liver cancer using an antenna that produces microwaves as high as 60* c, therefore eradicating the cancerous growth tissues within 10 minutes.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 10:30:25 +0000
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