The document discusses various topics related to medical technology including eHealth, medical devices, robots, and bionic limbs. It provides definitions and examples of medical technology, eHealth, and medical robots. Both benefits and risks/limitations are discussed for each topic. The document also lists several academic institutions and organizations involved in these areas of medical innovation and technology.

1. Michelle Hamilton
&
Danielle Leduc

2.  Medical technology refers to the use of novel technology to
develop highly sophisticated electronic products or medical
devices for application in healthcare markets.(Washington life
Science, 2014).
 Medical technology can be considered as any technology used to
save lives in individuals suffering from a wide range of
conditions. In its many forms, medical technology is already
diagnosing, monitoring and treating virtually every disease or
condition that affects us. Medical technology can be familiar,
everyday objects such as sticking plasters, syringes or latex
gloves. Alternatively, it could also be spectacles, wheelchairs and
hearing aids. Meanwhile, at the high tech end of the scale,
medical technology includes total body scanners, implantable
devices such as heart valves and pacemakers, and replacement
joints for knees and hips. In fact, there are more than 500,000
medical technologies currently available and they all share a
common purpose: improving and extending peoples’ lives.
(Eucomed Medical Technology, n.d)

3.  eHealth is the use of electronic information
and communication technologies (ICTs) in the
domain of healthcare. It allows physicians
and healthcare specialists to diagnose and
provide advice for the treatment of patients
at a distance using ICTs. (Nuq, & Aubert,
2013).

4.  This will improve the way patients receive care,
enhance the clinical experience and make the system
more sustainable.
 Doctors are creating electronic health records (EHRs)
for their patients that contain all their medical
information, including X-rays, test results,
ultrasounds and other important data.
 eHealth Ontario connects physicians and health care
providers by allowing the transmission of electronic
health data across a wide network of electronic
health record (EHR) systems throughout the province
 Canada is a huge supporter of eHealth
(eHealth Ontario, 2014)

5.  The greatest barrier to e-Health is the
difficulty for consumers to find accurate and
reliable information (Maloney et al., 2005).
 Source credibility and information
completeness are two cons to eHealth.
(Dutta-Bergman, 2004).
 Incomplete health information may mislead
the consumer into making a incorrect
decision. (Dutta-Bergman, 2004).

6. Academic institutions, health care provider
institutions, public health agency’s, industry
associations, clinicians, consumers,
technology vendors, Canada Health Infoway,
Canadian Institute for Health Information
(CIHI) (Nuq. & Aubert. 2013).

7.  Robotic devices are used to replace missing
limbs, perform delicate surgical procedures,
deliver neurorehabilitation therapy to stroke
patients, teach children with learning
disabilities, and perform a growing number of
other health related tasks.
 According to the Robot Institute of America, a
robot is ‘‘a reprogrammable, multifunctional
manipulator designed to move material, parts,
tools, or specialized devices through various
programmed motions for the performance of a
variety of tasks.”
(Speich & Rosen, n.d)

8.  Medical robots are designed for safer surgeries
and a newer kind of innovative procedures
related to heart, nervous system, urology,
ophthalmology, to treat with minimal invasion
and precision.
 -Nano-Robots in our blood stream to treat
Cancer
Robots in Tele-surgery for remote surgery
(surgeons control surgeries from another room)
Sensei: a robot for catheter guidance in heart
surgeries
(Kaur. 2012)

9.  Da Vinci: a robot for laparoscopic interventions
and Tele-Surgery (open heart surgery)
Zeus: a robot for voice controlled remote Tele-
surgery (Biopsies)
Aesop: a voice controlled robot for endoscopic
camera positioning (pituitary gland)
Endoassist: a robot for endoscopic guidance
(colorectal surgeries)
Otelo: A tele-robot for mobile tele-echography
(ultrasounds to check heart rate, ovaries,
appendix etc)
(Kaur. 2012)

10.  Nanorobots: Swallowable Micro-capsules for
Endoscopy (Used in Gastrointestinal diseases)
Spine Assist: A Robot for surgery of the spine
(spinal surgery)
Robocast: a Robot for keyhole neurosurgery
(brain)
CyberKnife: a Robot that performs Radio
Therapy (brain tumors)
(Kaur. 2012)

11.  Because of the rising number of incidents—
282 injury reports last year, including 28
deaths, up 34% from the year before—the
FDA inspected Intuitive earlier this year and
in July issued a warning letter stating the
company hadn't reported certain safety
changes to its Da Vinci robotics system,
asking for "additional corrective actions."
 Insignificant training with Robots can result
in injuries to the patient
 Very costly
(Pinkerton, 2013)

12.  Bionic Limbs: the technique of replacing a
limb or body part by an artificial limb or part
that is electronically or mechanically
powered.
 The word BIONIC is used to describe any
artificial mechanism that functions like a
living organism or part of a living organism.
 What it’s made of: strong light-weight carbon
fiber or titanium. Some even look like the
real thing... even down to the fine hairs!
(Kaur. 2012)

13.  They can also connect wirelessly to remote
communication devices, such as a wearer's
smartphone. This, in turn, can connect to smart-
city software platforms, such as Living PlanIT's
Urban Operating System, which links intelligent
buildings and urban infrastructure. All of which
means that a three-way real-time conversation
can take place between the user, their prosthesis
and their environment – an environment that is
potentially responsive to their needs.
 Bionic limbs are almost always stronger than
normal human ability
(Sterry. 2012)

14.  Bionics is about more than replacement body
parts. It's about conceiving the body in its
entirety and understanding the interplay
between its many parts – and in its wider
environment
 According to Melissa Sterry, (2012) “The
medical bionics of the future will be as
unique to an individual as their DNA, in both
function and form – customised to
personality as much as physicality.”
(Sterry. 2012)

15.  The price of a
bionic limb is very
costly
 Individuals have to
go through hours of
Physical therapy
 People may feel
some discomfort
with the bionic
limb when it’s put
in place
(Sterry. 2012)

16.  Dutta-Bergman, M. (2004). The impact of completeness and Web
use motivation on the credibility of e-health information. Journal
of Communication, 54(2), 253-269.
 eHealth Ontario. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.ehealthontario.on.ca/en/about
 Eucomed Medical Technology. N.d. retrieved from
http://www.eucomed.be/medical-technology
 Kaur, S. (2012). How Medical Robots are going to Affect Our Lives.
IETE Technical Review (Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd.),
29(3), 184-187. doi:10.4103/0256-4602.98859
 Maloney, S., Ilic, D., & Green, S. (2005). Accessibility, nature and
quality of health information on the Internet: A survey on
osteoarthritis. Rheuma tology, 44(3), 382-385.
 Nuq, P., & Aubert, B. (2013). Towards a better understanding of
the intention to use eHealth services by medical professionals:
The case of developing countries. International Journal Of
Healthcare Management, 6(4), 217-236.
doi:10.1179/2047971913Y.0000000033

17.  Pinkterton,J. (November 17, 2013). The wall street
journal. The Pros and Cons of Robotic Surgery.
Retrieved From:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052
702304655104579163430371597334
 Speich & Rosen. (n.d) Marcel Dekker. Medical
Robitics. Retrieved From:
http://bionics.soe.ucsc.edu/publications/BC_01_Med
ical_Robotics.pdf
 Sterry, M. (October 27 2012). The guardian. We Have
The Technology. Retrieved from:
http://www.theguardian.com/volvo-
design/technology-disability-improvements
 Washington Life Science. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.washingtonlifescience.com/industry/def
inition_medtech.htm