Technology plays an increasingly important role in modern
medicine. Today, HI-TECH IMAGING allows doctors to view internal
body structures in amazing detail, while, SURGERY relies heavily
on technologies such as lasers, robots, and computers. ARTIFICIAL DEVICES are commonly used either to replace diseased body parts
completely, or to provide assistance to failing organs.
Modern imaging methods can provide detailed pictures of
body parts, whether by injecting dyes that highlight specific structures on
X-ray viewing, or by using methods that provide cross-sectional or 3-D scans.
Some techniques provide information on body activity, not just structure. For
example, special forms of ultrasound (high-frequency sound) can be used to
monitor the flow of blood within blood vessels. The internal structures of the
body can also be examined directly by means of fibreoptic endoscopes (viewing
tubes).
MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging) is an advanced imaging technique. The body part to be
examined is placed inside a powerful magnet, and harmless radio waves are
released towards it. A computer then builds an image by analysing the pattern
of radio waves returned from the part. MRI is often used to examine the brain
and other soft tissues.
Surgical techniques are constantly being improved and new
ones developed. Today, the trend is towards using keyhole surgery, in which the
cuts made into the body are kept as small as possible. Microsurgery is another
important field. Here, the surgeon uses tiny instruments to repair delicate
structures such as nerves, while viewing the operation site through a
microscope. Transplant surgery offers hope to people with damaged internal
organs – the kidney, heart, liver, small intestine, and lungs can now
all be transplanted, although there is often a shortage of donor
organs.
Keyhole surgery relies on using fibreoptic endoscopes, viewing
instruments that may be rigid (as shown in this knee operation) or flexible.
The cuts made to insert the surgical instruments and endoscope into the body
are smaller than those used in other types of surgery. The main benefit is the
short recovery time.
Laser beams are used as cutting and burning tools in various types
of surgery, including eye surgery. A laser can be used to treat disease of the
retina at the back of the eye and to reshape the cornea for treating
short-sightedness. Lasers are also used to treat some skin conditions, such as
birthmarks, and to remove tattoos.
The range of artificial devices used in treatment
increases all the time. Devices available today include replacements for
damaged hip and knee joints and an implant into the cochlea of the ear to help
some types of deafness. A cataract (clouding of the lens in the eye) can now be
treated by insertion of a plastic lens. It is also possible to replace
defective heart valves, either with a valve constructed from human or animal
tissue, or with one made out of metal and plastic.
This chest X-ray shows an artificial pacemaker that has been
inserted beneath the skin of the chest. Pacemakers are given to people whose
hearts have a defective electrical system. The pacemaker delivers electrical
signals to the heart via wire leads – these signals trigger contractions
of the heart muscle and maintain a regular heart beat.
