Recent Advances in Medical Technology
Since the advent of widespread computer technology in the medical field, medical equipment has been making major leaps on a daily basis. In fact, technology that we once thought would be many years away is now being developed and implemented around the world.
Here are a few of the more recent advancements in medical equipment that may be coming to a hospital or clinic near you.
Smart Phone Ultrasounds
Thanks to a $100,000 grant from Microsoft, researchers have created the first-ever portable ultrasound machine. Yes, it’s true. This machine uses smart phones equipped with USB-based ultrasound probes, where patient data can be sent to specialist using Bluetooth technology. Emergency medical professionals will now be able to perform an ultrasound test from a remote location and have it sent to a medical center immediately for a diagnosis.
Microwaving Tumors
Until now, treatments for liver cancer involved surgery, and sometimes even a liver transplant. But now there is a third option. It is called microwave ablation, and it is as simple as inserting a thin needle into the cancerous tumor, and then shooting hot microwaves into it. This process causes the tumor to die in about ten minutes. Researchers are now studying ways to use microwave ablation to treat other types of cancer.
Doctor-free Surgeries
We’ve all heard about the use of robots in the operating room, but engineers at Duke University are working developing techniques to perform completely robotic surgeries, unassisted by human hands. Using a tabletop robot and three dimensional ultrasound imaging, artificial intelligence is being developed to perform basic surgical tasks without the use of a doctor. Sound scary? Well, this is probably just the beginning. Eventually, experts believe that robots will perform all types of medical procedures. These will be particularly useful in remote areas without access to human doctors.
As new medical equipment emerges, doctors are finding that previously untreatable conditions are becoming less threatening. Today’s medical professionals need to stay on top of these new developments, as they are changing the way medical treatment is provided.
