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The best tech inventions of all time 7: Amazing medical innovations

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Laser eye surgery
Using lasers to correct lenses in your eye is now commonplace. Restoring your sight to near-perfect vision in a few minutes is very, very cool.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: 422737

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Brain surgery
A portion of the skull is removed to give the surgeon access to the brain tissue. Electrodes can be used to stimulate areas of the brain during the operation. Sometimes the patient remains conscious throughout the procedure.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: MarionBrun

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Caesarean section
An incision is made through the abdomen and uterus to deliver a baby. This operation is usually performed when there is a medical risk to the child or mother.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: Sanjasy

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Birth control pill
The contraceptive pill contains oestrogen and progesterone hormones. As the pill decoupled sex and procreation, women could control their fertility and make long term education and career plans.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: GabiSanda

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Vaccines
Vaccines are made from weakened or dead forms of the microbe and are used to protect against exposure to the live microbe by recognising and destroying the micro-organism. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox across the world.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: TPSDave

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Prosthetics
Prosthetics have come a long way since the wooden leg. Some prosthetic devices can be controlled by sensors attached to the brain.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: Discovery

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Radiotherapy
This treatment uses ionising radiation to kill malignant cancer cells if they are localised in one part of the body. Radiotherapy is also used to prevent tumour recurrence after surgery.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: UCS

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Open heart surgery
Heart surgery works better when the heart is stopped and drained of blood. The heart is temporarily stopped and the blood flow is routed through a heart bypass whilst the corrective procedure is carried out.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: Skeeze

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Antibiotics
Antibiotics either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. They have revolutionised medicine in the 20th century.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: Brett Hondow

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Organ transplants
Kidneys, corneas, hearts, liver, lungs, hand, and even whole face transplants have been carried out by surgeons. Although recipients will need to take anti-rejection drugs, their quality of life, and life expectancy will increase after the operation.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: Genetic literacy project

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Bioengineered body parts
It is now possible to grow human soft tissue in petri dishes. Scientists have already grown an ear on a human arm, and on the back of a mouse. Other soft tissue parts, such as tracheas, have already been transplanted into humans to prolong life.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: ZmeScience

Caption by: Eileen Brown
Chemotherapy
Using targeted chemicals and poisons, doctors have been able to target cancers successfully and help to prolong life in many patients.
Innovation
Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)
Photo by: Klbz

Caption by: Eileen Brown

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In this series we take a look at everything, large and small, that has changed the way we do things and enhanced our lives in some way. In part seven we take a look at medical innovations that have helped the health of mankind.

Read More Read Less

Radiotherapy

This treatment uses ionising radiation to kill malignant cancer cells if they are localised in one part of the body. Radiotherapy is also used to prevent tumour recurrence after surgery.

Innovation

Published: July 25, 2016 -- 15:40 GMT (08:40 PDT)

Caption by: Eileen Brown

7 of 12 NEXT PREV

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