The importance of Various Technologies

In the passing centuries, different technologies are invented to improve our understanding of internal body system such as digestive, circulatory system, etc. Also, different technologies are introduced to us to cure some diseases that we used to see them as incurable diseases.

Endoscope



Endoscope was developed in 1806 by Philipp Bozzini and he called his invention ‘Lichtleiter’ or ‘light conductor’. He used it to examine cavities, canals and hollow organs of the human body. Yet, this idea was disapproval by people who believed it is too invasive. Many scientists have tried to improve the ‘Lichtleiter’ and used it to know more about the inside of human body after Bozzini brought this new, fresh idea.

Endoscope is a medical device consisting of a long, thin, flexible, tube which has a light and a video camera. The inside of the patient’s body’s images can be seen on the screen. We can use the endoscope to examine the interior surfaces of an organ or tissues.

What is the function of endoscope?

-to confirm a diagnosis;
the endoscope can help to find out the degree of illnesses, so that the doctor can make decision on the best treatment for the patients. Stomach ulcers, breathing disorder and internal bleeding are often diagnosed with an endoscope.

-Biopsies;
the endoscope can also used for the diagnosis of cancers and used to proceed a biopsies (taking samples of tissue to see whether it is cancerous.

-Surgery;
a modified endoscope can take out tumors or foreign objects from the lungs or stomach; it can also destroy gallstones.

-Inspection;
Specific endoscope can inspect the gastrointestinal tract (such as esophagus, stomach, small intestine), the respiratory tract (such as nose, bronchi), ear, female reproductive system, etc.

The invention of endoscope is important to help us to understand the inside of our body.

Cardiac Catheterization

Before the cardiac catheterization is invented, doctors can only diagnose the coronary artery blockage by the external symptoms such as rapid breathing, lack of energy, etc.

Cardiac Catheterization is the insertion of a catheter (small, thin, plastic tube) into a chamber or vessel of the heart to diagnose or treat certain heart conditions. The Cardiac Catheterization is invented by Claude Bernard (1813-1878), who used it on animal models.



What does Cardiac Catheterization actually mean?
To know more about Cardiac Catheterization, watch this video^_^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1mdGDu4LK8



How does Cardiac Catheterization process?
The catheter is passed into a leg vein, a dye visible on x-ray film is injected into the catheter. The dye travels through the blood vessels and the heart. The images can be seen on a monitor. The catheter can even reach the coronary artery.

The purpose of Cardiac Catheterization:
-diagnose heart conditions such as minor heart surgery
-blood samples, the blood samples can be taken by the catheter to determine how much oxygen is in the blood in different chambers
-monitor pressures in each of the heart chambers
-a specific catheter (with a tiny balloon attached) can be used to scrape and collect debris from a blockage; this technique is known as angioplasty

Both cardiac catheterization and endoscope are important techniques; they can help us to know more about the interior of our body. Also, both of them can help doctors to diagnose a disease/illness with more confidence and give the best treatment to patients. The specific cardiac catheterization/endoscope can help to scrape debris and remove tumor.

Reference:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153737.php
http://www.helium.com/items/1807307-the-history-of-the-endoscope
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/cath/cath_what.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_catheterization
http://www.youtube.com
Nelson Biology 11