Biomedical Technology

Over the centuries, medicine has evolved by leaps and bounds. In the 1600’s a cure for smallpox and measles was born. In the early 1900’s, penicillin was discovered. Now we are in a new era of evolving medical technology that aims not only to find cures for diseases, but find new, innovative ways to use technology to enhance and improve the way medical procedures are carried out. Advancements in this field of engineering and technology can help make more medical advancements that may prove to be beneficial and more precise than current or previous technology. Two such advancements in technology have lead us to create machines or robots that are capable to performing surgical procedures, and administering the appropriate amount of anesthetic to patients. One of the most recent breakthroughs in surgical technology is a robot called the da Vinci. Manufactured by Intuitive Surgical Inc. to provide patients with what is known as a minimally invasive surgical experience, the da Vinci,” combines superior 3D visualization along with greatly enhanced dexterity, precision and control in an intuitive, ergonomic interface with breakthrough surgical capabilities.”(www.intuitivesurgical.com) The machine itself has two components. One is the surgeon’s console where the doctor sits and controls the second component which is the patient side cart.
The surgeon’s console has two master controls for the surgeon’s hands and a screen that lets them see a 3d image of the patient that they are performing surgery on. The controls react immediately to the movements of the surgeon’s hands and move the arms of the patient side cart exactly where the surgeon needs to be. The second component of the da Vinci is the patient side cart. This is the machine that will actually be inside the patient performing the movements dictated by the doctor from the surgeon’s console. It is made up of three or four mechanical arms and each arm has a certain function. Two of the arms are usually

References: Cattermole, T. (n.d.). Computer takes guesswork out of anesthetizing. Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine. Retrieved March 6, 2010, from http://www.gizmag.com/automatic-computer-anesthesia/14265/ Frequently Asked Questions. (n.d.). Intuitive Surgical . Retrieved March 6, 2010, from http://www.intuitivesurgical.com System unveiled for regulating anesthesia via computer. (n.d.). EurekAlert! - Science News. Retrieved March 6, 2010, from http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-02/f-sf-suf021810.php