Technology in field of Healthcare

World’s first antibiotic, Penicillin had been synthesized and acclaimed as a model medical miracle. X-ray’s are still used to visualize most of medical examinations helping to diagnose many diseases.
“Medical world” has accomplished so much, but still can surprise us.
I’m deeply convinced doctors will achieve much more. In my opinion people have just begun to realize the power of technologies that combine devices with medicines or Information Technologies, opening new possibilities.
Technology of healthcare is really fascinating field for me. That’s why I have decided to show you several news of “medical world”.

Virtual Anatomical Model

It is a new teaching tool for medical students and young doctors, who use virtual reality and “flexible display” technology. A projector can process images in 3D graphics of internal organs and display them on the humans’ model.
This technology is useful by medical students trying to get skills necessary in surgery during operations. From their perspective 3D technology makes it appear as if there is transparent human body inside mannequin. Students can see simulations of anatomy from many different angles just rotating the mannequin in different positions.
Computer graphics processes and recreates the function of internal organs. This 3D images can be bound with medical explanations. This material helps medical students to understand many difficult issues of the human body.

“In anatomy, it is important to have a grasp of spatial relationships. It’s difficult to know the distances between each organ or how deep they are placed underneath the skin. This kind of knowledge cannot be acquired by listening to a lecture or by studying diagrams. Medical students can easily ascertain these things by getting hands-on experience using an anatomical model and more importantly their memory retrieving capability is strengthened by using this system. ”
Ryugo Kijima, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Engineering Gifu University Virtual System Laboratory.

Virtual nurse

This is just a computer program embedded into dedicated hardware.
It can look like a person, it can use all the same words to talk to patients before they leave the hospital. Of course, it will never be like a real nurse, it can’t care for patients, can’t give them medications, even hold their hand.
But it can teach them a lot of stuff. It can explain things in a very slow and nice and easy way. A Virtual nurse uses voice, so it can talk to patients.

Photo by Glenn Kulbako.

Remote Controlable Pacemakers

Before you read about next amazing device, short repetition.



You should know that the heart disease is the highest cause of death. It causes 25% of the deaths in the world. So, 12 million people die each year because of heart attack.

I’m sure you’ve seen at least one episode of “Dr. House”. Haven't you? :)
There are often situations such as you can see below.



Let's discuss the following situation:
You’re middle-aged, you don’t smoke, you cultivate a healthy lifestyle and in spite of everything one day your doctor tells you about your high risk of heart disease..?!
Yes, it’s possible.
Sometime later, while shopping in the city center you fall, you have a heart attack. Someone calls the doctor, the ambulance arrives in just 10 minutes. The medical staff tries hard to save your life but, unfortunately it’s about 6-7 minutes too late… Your brain is dead.
If your doctor had an opportunity to propose you a “PACEMAKER” after detecting the high risk of heart disease, in this discussed situation you would probably stand up and continue shopping with only a little noise in your head.

Implanted cardiodefibrilator gives 20-30J electric impulses and works the same way as the one from the movie (by the way, in some cases devices shown in the movie are dangerous for patients and the doctors because of very strong, 300-350J electric impulse ).
Implantable pacemakers and defibrillators are devices that apply the electric shocks to maintain the rhythm of the heart and, if necessary, “restart” it.
As the technology improves and a list of treatable conditions grows, a number of devices is being implanted is increasing steadily, and now exceeds half a million/year. Read more...

When responsible for creating an electrical pulse a part of heart’s muscle fails to function correctly, an artificial “peacemaker” can be featured to help regulate the heart-bit with small, evenly timed electric shocks. This involves an electrode implanted into heart and implanted a device called “The Generator” just under the skin.
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a similar device, which is also capable to stop heart and deliver an electric shock powerful enough to restart it.

Medtronic CareLink monitor is designed to automatically send implanted heart’s device information to patient’s clinic from the convenience of home. The device uses a fixed analog phone line. CareLink can automatically communicate heart device. In case of irregularities personal doctor (patient’s guardian) is immediately informed via email, sms etc.
There are also available recorded events (details of measurements and EKG from inside of patient's heart).
Devices like this above give users an incredible peace of mind, a sense of security. But above all, significantly extend their life sometimes for many years.

Unfortunately, an electronic device can sometimes fail or perform an irregular activity. Let’s see what can happen…



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Would you like to maximize your life using devices such as macemakers?
Some people don’t want to interfere with human nature and live as long as it’s possible without putting any devices inside their body.

What do you think about the ever-growing middle-aged man's death? Do you think overcrowding is caused by medicine achievements?

Have you ever called an ambulance? How long did you have to wait for its arrival?