1. Michael Shadrin 4/25/11 Comp 089

2.  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.

3.  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.

4.  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.

5.  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.

6.  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.

7.  Electroencephalograp hy 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.

8.  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.

9.  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.

10.  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.

11.  http://vimeo.com/6406222 http://vimeo.com/6406222

12.  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.