The Fifth Incision: Dissection without Dissecting

Roses are red, violets are blue. I didn't have a camera, so here's an x-ray of you.

Throughout our history, we have been working to improve our understanding of our bodies. Why does the heart beat? Where does the air go after we breathe? Why do we bruise when punched? What we know about the human bodies comes from the continuously improving technologies in the medical field. Wilhelm Rontgen developed the use of x-rays, which was a great asset to understanding the skeletal structure. By studying the electromagnetic rays of Crookes Tubes, he discovered that they could be used to see through objects. Using this knowledge, Rontgen took the first x-ray image in history; his wife’s left hand.

Dr. Raymond Damadian further improved the technology of looking into the body with the development of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or the MRI scanner. Using liquid helium to cool magnets, he used this technology to create the first MRI scanner, which provided the first clear image of a heart, lungs and chest without needing to open the body.

As our knowledge of the body and its internal workings grew, we learned how to improve our health by developing new techniques, devices and medicine. For example, by studying the effects of the pancreas and its effect on dogs, Dr. Frederick Banting and his team discovered a way to combat diabetes and discovered insulin. With this discovery, countless of lives were saved. With this discovery, Dr. Banting became one of the most significant figures of modern medicine, as well as one of the greatest inventors in Canadian history.

Another important figure of modern medicine is John Hopps, another Canadian, and the man credited with the creation of the artificial pacemaker. Using radio frequencies and electrodes, he discovered that the human heart could be restarted after stopping. This research became the basis of the first cardiac pacemaker, created in 1950. Dr. Hopps’ invention was so significant, that even he had his own pacemaker implanted.

Technology continues to improve, and with it, new advances within the medical field continue to appear. In 2010, the first robotic surgery was performed in Canada. The surgical robot, named “DaVinci” was assisted by an anaesthesia robot named “McSleepy”. With the use of robots, surgeons were able to perform delicate movements and procedures, as well as fine-tuning the correct dosage of anaesthesia. With these robots, the safety of the patients is guaranteed, and surgeons are now able to perform delicate tasks, normally impossible to do with human hands.

Our understanding of the body will continue to improve. As technology advances, humans will be capable of doing magnificent feats. A hundred years ago, what we have accomplished now was considered improbable…impossible, even. We have accomplished so much, but in reality, our journey through the discovery of new medical technologies has only begun. Who knows what the future has in store…

Yes, DaVinci can do everything now.

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Information from

• http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/damadian.html
• http://www.whoinventedit.net/who-invented-the-pacemaker.html
• http://www.whoinventedit.net/who-invented-the-x-ray.html
• http://nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/insulin/discovery-insulin.html
• http://www.essortment.com/john-hopps-invented-pacemaker-27221.html
• http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/world-8217s-first-all-robotic-surgery-performed-in-canada/11859

Picture Credits

http://i.bnet.com/blogs/mcgill-aprikian-davinci-mcsleepy-remote-operation.png?tag=mantle_skin;content

http://worldsfamousphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/first-human-x-ray-1896.jpg

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Look at your blog post, then back at mine. Now back to your blog post, then back at mine. Sadly, it isn't mine, but it can be like mine if I comment on it.

Just like I did to these guys:

Justin Valmores, Technology: There is Always More to Come

Kyle Tran, Technology at its Best

YES. I'm almost done Biology. About darn time, too...