Technology: What's In It For You?

What would we do without technology? We have been so accustomed to living life with technology that we rely on it for transportation, communication, networking, and the list goes on. The development of new technologies drastically changed the healthcare industry and revolutionized the medical profession. Medical technologies such as CT scanning, and ultrasound, enable doctors to view and examine certain parts of the body in great depth. We will now explore various advancements that have further improved our health care industry. 

An x-ray image of a healthy bone structure 

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. An electric machine and a special screen are used to obtain x-ray images. A simple x-ray image can be extremely informative. X-rays can differentiate dense structures (e.g. bones), metal and contrast agent (such as special dye used to make certain areas of the body visible) which appear white on x-rays from structures containing air (appears black), and muscle, fat, and fluids (appear as shades of gray). The patient, x-ray machine, and film are positioned according to the area of interest for examination. CT scanning is a further development of x-rays.


A computer axial tomography, most commonly known as CT or CAT scan, is an imaging method that uses specialized equipment to generate cross-sectional images of internal body systems. CT scanning procedure have become commonly practiced by radiologists for diagnosing medical diseases. 






An ultrasound serves similar purposes to a CT scan as it aids in diagnosing diseases. The primary function of an ultrasound is to view the organs, which often provides useful information in diagnosing and treating diseases and conditions. This imaging method uses high frequency sound waves to produce precise images of organs, but is not limited to other procedures which includes the examination of the fetus during pregnancy. Although a medical diagnosis are based on a patients history and physical examinations, ultrasounds provide specialized technicians and medical practitioners the ability to diagnose accordingly.

An ultrasound screening

An ultrasound photo of an 18-week old girl

Pre-natal ultrasound

An MRI image of the head

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a noninvasive medical examination that uses a powerful magnetic field,  radio waves, and a sophisticated computer to generate  detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone, and  practically every other internal body structures. These  detailed MR images enable physicians to evaluate the  body organs and structures more effectively. A better  quality screening that MR images provide helps determine the presence of various types of diseases that  may not be assessed adequately by other procedures  such as x-ray, CT scanning, and ultrasound. MRI scans  are highly regarded for detecting diseases. 

The role of medical technology has greatly benefited several medical professions and patients. CT scanning, ultrasound, x-ray, and MRI are amongst the various types of advancements in sophisticated medical technology. Further advances are constantly being made with more personalized, more accurate, and more rapid diagnostic techniques to improve the quality of care for patients.

References:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003337.htm

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/examinations/x-ray.htm 

http://www.medicinenet.com/cat_scan/article.htm

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodyct 

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003330.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ultrasound.html 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ultrasound/MY00308

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodymr

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003335.htm

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