» Archive for May 2010

Innovations in Medical Equipment: Bioinformatics

Computers and medical equipment have become an integral part of our daily lives, and as technology advances they are becoming faster and smarter than ever before, but breakthroughs in information technology have done more than make our lives easier. They have allowed scientists, mathematicians and medical equipment innovators to advance their understanding of living organisms.

By using highly refined information systems and mathematical calculations, researchers have developed new ways to process the mountains of data that encompass our understanding of living biological systems. Using “bioinformatics”, scientists can glean meaning from terabytes of data and beyond. A terabyte is equivalent to a thousand gigabytes.

This science is used to decipher the complexities of DNA systems, and because it includes calculation tools, bioinformatics can actually interpret and follow the molecular pathways of a disease. The reason this technology is such a breakthrough for the medical profession is because it enables researchers to find patterns in the way certain genes react to drugs and it can aid in the creation of new drugs.

Bioinformatics is a relatively new method of understanding and solving fundamental biomedical problems and it is used to develop new approaches for the prevention and treatment of certain medical conditions. Part of a larger field of biomedical engineering, bioinformatics is used in conjunction with medical imaging and the processing of psychological signals to conduct important research that advances our understanding of living systems.
Research is currently underway that utilizes bioinformatics in the alignment of genome assembly, molecular sequences, protein structure prediction and gene finding. Because it is able to link data between research labs and clinical settings, bioinformatics will aid in the development of pharmaceuticals and used medical equipment that will be crucial to the advancement of modern medicine.

Technorati Tags: Medical Equipment, medical imaging, Used Medical Equipment

Innovations in Medical Equipment: Nanotechnology

Over the past decade, several new scientific advances have changed the way medical treatments are discovered and administered. From new screening tools for discovering key medical compounds in pharmaceuticals to more effective delivery methods of these drugs to patients, various technologies have come together to help medical equipment suppliers address the changing needs of the medical community. One of the key innovations in this area has come from the field of Nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology uses microscopic devices that work on the molecular and atomic level to diagnose and treat illnesses. Microscopic “nano-shells” can hone in on a tumor like a smart bomb, enter into cancer cells, and wait there until an intense dose of heat energy is delivered via radio wave to strategically destroy the cells. This type of discovery has the potential to radically change the way cancer treatment is administered by preventing healthy cells from being killed in the process of chemotherapy and radiation. This is because the nano-particles target only the cancer cells for delivery of drugs, and leaves normal cells untouched.

Another use for nanotechnology is the removal of tumors or nodes during surgery. By using color-coded “quantum dots” which emit fluorescent signals, doctors and scientists can create an instant classification system, or barcode, to identify the type of tumor within and remove it entirely. Other tiny medical devices are being built on microchips that use nanotechnology to interpret the individual strands of DNA.

Nanotechnology, which has typically been used in passive structures, is now being tested for use within active structures. In addition to targeted “smart drug” therapies, these developments will help in the future formation of molecular structures that could be used to regenerate body parts that were lost to disease, infection or accident. Outside of the medical equipment and research industries, nanotechnology has far-reaching implications in the world of electronics as well.

Technorati Tags: Defibrillators, ECG Machines, EKG Machines, Medical Equipment, nanotechnology, ultrasoud machines, Used Medical Equipment, used medical supplies

Innovations in Medical Equipment: Robotics

Like every other area of technology, the advances in medical equipment have dramatically changed the scope of patient care and the prognosis for chronic diseases. Several new screening techniques have been developed to help medical professionals deliver drugs to patients more effectively. New technologies are allowing researchers to sort through millions of chemical compounds quickly and find the ones that will be most useful in medicine. And advances in genetics and molecular targeting have helped medical researchers discover new ways to target biopharmaceuticals that will enhance the success of therapeutic techniques.

The introduction of robotics and automation has greatly enhanced many aspects of patient care, and manufacturers of medical devices have begun to rely on robotic equipment to manage the complex and exacting task of assembling tiny devices. In addition to being used to assemble complex medical equipment like hearing aids and pacemakers, robots can also guarantee greater precision and speed in the manufacturing process.

Robotics is also used in the creation of certain prosthetics, such as hop and knee joint replacements. These devices are painstakingly assembled by robots in an automated process that is faster and more accurate than what could be accomplished through human effort alone.

In patient care, robots are increasingly used in surgical procedures. Currently, doctors use robotics to help them zero in on tumors and apply radiation treatment to a very defined area. Many surgeons have come to depend on this type of medical equipment for certain procedures. Robotics also have great potential in the field of cardiology, particularly in areas of the heart which are normally too risky to treat with traditional surgery.

Technorati Tags: Defibrillators, ECG Machines, EKG Machines, Medical Equipment, Ultrasound Machines, Used Medical Equipment, used medical supplies