Biomedical Technologies Summary

1) Non-invasive diagnostic techniques are those that can be applied without penetrating the skin.

2) X-rays have a remarkable ability to penetrate matter. They help to provide detailed images of dense parts of the body like bones.

3) The photographic image produced by x-radiation is called Radiograph.

4) Angiography involves injecting a dye directly into the blood and then taking x-rays of the arteries.

5) Non-invasive imaging techniques like CT, MRI, PET, ultrasonography, DSA, provide 2D or 3D pictorial representation of the body parts.

6) CT scan combines the use of x-rays with computer technology to produce 2D or 3D cross sectional image or internal structures.

7) MRI is based on the phenomenon of Nuclear magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy.

8) Ultra sonography involves the use of high frequency ultrasonic sound waves to produce images of structures within the human body.

9) ECG is useful in diagnosing abnormal cardiac rhythms and conduction patterns.

10) EEG is used clinically in the diagnosis of epilepsy, infections of the brain, Tumours etc.

11) Auto analysers are Biomedical instruments, which are computer controlled and temperature regulated.

12) ELISA technique is widely used for the detection of virus, fungi and bacteria, It is used to detect infectious diseases like Tuberculosis and AIDS.

13) Invasive procedures like Endoscopy enables the doctor to view directly or indirectly body parts like Bronchus, stomach, colon, urinary bladder etc.

14) Using an Endoscope, a surgeon can carryout minor operations also.

15) Cancer is characterised by uncontrolled growth and division of certain body tissues, forming a tumour.

16) A tumour may be benign or malignant.

17) Based on their location and the site of origin, cancers are classified as carcinomas, Sarcomas, myelomas and Leukaemia.

18)Cancer may be caused due to genetic mutation.

19) Treatment of cancer may involve surgery, Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, Hormonal therapy, Immuno therapy or a combination of these.

20) Successful organ transplantation depends upon the Histocompatibility of the donor and the recipient. This problem of tissue rejection can be overcome by the use of immuno suppressive drugs.

21) When the kidneys are so impaired that they are unable to excrete wastes and regulate pH and electrolyte balance in plasma, Haemodialysis is employed.

22) Advancement in Biomedical engineering has made external and internal prosthetic implants possible.

23) During open heart surgery or Heart transplant, circulation and respiration of the patient is maintained by the Heart - lung machine.

24) In patients with heart block, normal heart - rate can be restored and maintained with the help of an artificial pace maker.

25) Blocked coronary arteries can be unblocked by Angioplasty or Baloon catheterisation.

26) Patients with severe arthritis undergo knee - replacement surgery.

27) In cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen or a solution of nitrous oxide is used to destroy the tissue.

28) Immunomodulators are drugs, which modulate the patients immune response.

29) Whenever there is a hormone deficiency or hormonal imbalance, hormone therapy is given

30) AIDS victims have very few T cells and therefore a weakened immune system.

31) In AIDS since the protective immuno system is destroyed, other germs cause opportunistic diseases, using the opportunity of lowered resistance.

32) HIV infection is detected by ELISA test and confirmed by western Blot - analysis

33) Sexually transmitted diseases are infections which are transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person during unprotected sexual contact.

34) STDs are detected by clinical symptoms, lab investigation, ELISA Test, culture techniques, DNA hybridisation and PCR.