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| A Guide to Medical Technology |
The development of medical technology has been a colossal process that has evolved over decades and changed the way doctors, patients and even pharmaceutical companies work. As technology continues to advance, both these fields will continue to change. In light of this, it's important that you are aware of the different types of medical technology so that you can better understand the ways in which they impact your life.
Types of Medical Technology
Medical technology is a broad term that refers to a variety of tools and methods used in the medical field. It can include devices used to diagnose and treat medical conditions, imaging technologies such as x-rays and MRI scans, surgical instruments, and more. Some of the most common medical technologies include hospital machines, MRIs, CT scans, and cardiac monitors.
There are many different types of medical technology available to doctors and patients. Here are four of the most common:
Hospital Machines
Hospital machines are used to monitor patient vitals in hospitals. These machines include things like heart monitors and respirators. Hospital machines are important for keeping track of patients’ health while they’re in the hospital.
MRIs
MRIs are a type of imaging technology that uses a powerful magnetic field to create images of body parts inside the body. MRIs can be used to see everything from tumors to injuries. MRI scans are often very detailed, so they can help doctors diagnose problems quickly.
CT Scans
CT scans use X-rays to take pictures of organs and structures inside the body. CT scans are often used to diagnose problems with organs or bones. They can also be helpful in planning surgeries or diagnosing diseases.
Cardiac Monitors
Cardiac monitors are devices that monitor the heart. Cardiac monitors are often used to diagnose heart problems. They can also help doctors determine when the patient needs to be hospitalized for treatment.
Medical Scanners
Medical scanners are devices used to create images of body parts and organs. They can be used to diagnose medical conditions or to plan treatments. Some medical scanners are able to create detailed images of human tissue at high resolution.
Medical scanners come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be handheld or stationary, and they may have a range of features, such as the ability to capture x-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans.
There are a number of different types of medical scanners that are available on the market today. The most common type is the scanner used for imaging body parts and organs. Other types of medical scanners include radiation therapy machines, which use X-rays to treat cancer patients, and ultrasound machines, which are used to image fetuses and other small objects inside the body.
Endoscopes
Endoscopes are devices that are inserted into the stomach and small intestine to allow doctors to view the inside of these organs. Endoscopes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be used to perform a variety of procedures.
Some endoscopes are used to perform biopsies, while others are used to examine the inside of the stomach and intestine. Endoscopes can also be used to diagnose and treat various diseases.
Ultrasound Machines
Ultrasound machines are used in diagnostic procedures to create high-frequency sound waves that can image the interior of the body. When these waves hit an object, they cause a vibration or displacement of the atoms and molecules in that object, which can be interpreted by a computer as an image. Ultrasound machines come in two main types: transducers and imagers. Transducers convert sound waves into electrical signals that are sent to an imaging unit, while imagers capture the images produced by the vibrations.
Blood Pressure Monitors
Blood pressure monitors are one of the most common pieces of medical technology. They are used to measure blood pressure and can be used to diagnose high blood pressure, detect hypertension, and monitor the progress of hypertension treatment.
There are a few different types of blood pressure monitors on the market, but all of them use the same principle. The monitor uses an inflatable cuff to measure blood pressure at rest and during activity. The cuff is inflated using air or a small amount of fluid and then the pressure is measured using a gauge.
The most common type of blood pressure monitor is the oscillometric monitor. This type of monitor measures both systolic (the top number in a heartbeat) and diastolic (the bottom number in a heartbeat) pressures. Oscillometric monitors are usually more accurate than other types of monitors, but they are not as accurate when measuring pressures below 60 mmHg or above 120 mmHg.
Another type of monitor is the sphygmomanometer. This type of monitor measures only systolic pressures and is not as accurate as oscillometric monitors when measuring pressures below 60 mmHg or above 120 mmHg.
In addition to measuring blood pressure, some monitors also measure heart rate, oxygen levels, and calories burned. These monitors are called ambulatory monitoring devices (AMDs).