Technology in medicine

Technology in medicine

The evolution of technology in medicine

Inventor’s Day

Today, November 9th, we celebrate International Inventors’ Day.

In doing so, we wish to highlight the significant evolution that technology has undergone in the field of medicine.

Some of the most revolutionary advancements include the development of early vaccines and antibiotics, as well as the discovery of the structure of DNA.

THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION IN MEDICINE

SAVES MANY LIVES

Medicine, as a science, is constantly evolving to better understand how our bodies function—and to respond accordingly—with the aim of achieving three primary objectives:

To prevent, diagnose in a timely manner, and cure diseases that, in the past, would have been fatal.

Technology has always played a significant role in medicine, and today, we take full advantage of the many benefits it offers.

Background of technology in medicine

• In its early stages, medicine was based on observation and study.

An example of this is the invention of the microscope in the 17th century (involving figures such as Zacharias Janssen and Anton van Leeuwenhoek), which enabled the discovery of cells and blood components.

• Subsequently, the development of medications for pain control and stimulation—such as anesthetics and analgesics—radically transformed surgery.

Initially, morphine was used, and in 1853 Charles Frédéric Gerhardt synthesized acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

• The advent of X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT (computed axial tomography) scans made it possible to see inside the body without the need to open it.

The first X-ray was taken on December 22, 1895; Röntgen captured the famous X-ray of his wife Anna Bertha Ludwig’s hand, in which the bones and her wedding ring could be clearly distinguished.

• And already in 1958 the first cardiac pacemaker was successfully implanted, marking the beginning of active electromedicine.

Nowadays, there are highly precise treatments and interventions, thanks to the development of digital devices.

But before we begin, let’s look at the classification of technology in medicine.

Types of medical technology

A classification can be made based on the objective:

• Diagnostic: the goal is to identify and determine a patient’s medical conditions; examples include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a CT scan.
• Preventive: tests performed for the early detection of any abnormalities—for instance, mammograms conducted during annual check-ups.
• Rehabilitative or therapeutic: aimed at addressing a disease and correcting its effects; an example is the carbon dioxide laser, used in areas such as the treatment of skin cancer or in dentistry.
• Organizational or administrative: this category includes genetic microprocessors, which can be used to detect how drugs interact within the body.

Current technology

Nowadays, medical interventions aim to be minimally invasive.

To achieve this, high-precision, highly effective technology is used.

• Minimally invasive surgery: Techniques such as laparoscopy, arthroscopy, or endoscopy use micro-cameras, which reduce postoperative pain and shorten hospital stays.
• Biocompatible materials: The use of titanium revolutionized hip and knee prostheses, heart valves, and dental implants.
• Telemedicine and monitoring: Wearable devices and smartphones allow for the real-time recording of vital signs (glucose, blood pressure, heart rate) and the transmission of this data to the medical team, without requiring the patient to travel.

Digital Health

Las innovaciones en salud digital están transformando la industria farmacéutica y la atención médica.

• Mobile applications help track patients and ensure they follow their treatment plans.
• Data analysis and wearable devices are making healthcare more personalized and efficient.
• Advanced diagnostics: Tests such as liquid biopsies detect circulating tumor DNA in a simple blood sample—a non-invasive method that allows for early detection.

The Future: Personalized medicine, AI, and nanotechnology

• Genome sequencing and CRISPR: These enable the reading of the genetic code, the identification of mutations before a disease manifests, and the application of genetic edits or tailored pharmacogenomic therapies.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data: These process vast volumes of clinical data to predict outbreaks, accelerate drug design, and support diagnostic imaging with unprecedented speed.
• Regenerative medicine and nanotechnology: This field encompasses the use of cellular-scale robots to deliver medication directly to an affected organ, as well as the 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs using stem cells.

Though, without a doubt, what is most surprising is robotic surgery—or remote surgery.

Da Vinci robotic surgical system

Although robotic arms have been used in the operating room since the 1980s, it was not until the arrival of the four-armed Da Vinci Surgical System in the early 21st century that a major shift occurred.

In fact, as its capabilities expanded, it became one of the most significant technological advancements in healthcare—a development that has led to the concept of “smart” operating rooms.

Remote-controlled surgery, or telesurgery, was not the creation of a single individual.

It was developed by government agencies, such as NASA and the United States military, during the 1980s and 1990s, with the goal of performing surgery on soldiers in combat or astronauts in space.

However, the historic milestone that proved the viability of this technology took place on September 7, 2001, with “Operation Lindbergh.”

On that occasion, French surgeon Jacques Marescaux performed the first transatlantic telesurgery in history.

Marescaux successfully removed a patient’s gallbladder in Strasbourg, France, while operating from a console in New York, United States—more than 6,000 kilometers away.

SINERGIAS

La medicina se trabaja en equipo

Fuentes: Wikipedia, Hospital Virgen del Mar, Biotech, Sermo