Medical Technology
Imaging and devices help diagnose and treat.
About this topic
Technology helps diagnose and treat disease. Imaging includes X-rays (bones), CT scans (3D X-ray slices), MRI (soft tissue using magnetism and radio waves), ultrasound (sound echoes, safe for pregnancy) and PET scans. Devices include pacemakers, artificial joints, dialysis machines and prosthetics.
Each method has advantages. X-rays use ionising radiation, which is absorbed more by dense bone, so bones appear white; because of the radiation risk they are used with care. MRI uses no ionising radiation and gives detailed images of the brain and joints, while ultrasound uses high-frequency sound to produce live images of a foetus. Endoscopes with cameras allow doctors to see inside the body through small cuts.
A pacemaker sends electrical pulses to keep a weak heart beating regularly. A dialysis machine filters waste from the blood of people with kidney failure, doing the job of the kidneys. Robot-assisted surgery gives precision, and 3D printing can make custom prosthetics.
New technology raises questions of cost and access. A common misconception is that more scans are always better, but each test has risks and costs. Also, an artificial organ replaces a function but is not a perfect copy of the original.
Key ideas
- X-rays, MRI, ultrasound
- Pacemakers
- Dialysis
Quick check
Use cases: where Medical Technology helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Medical Technology before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Medical Technology without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Medical Technology changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Medical Technology in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Biology underpins medicine, farming, conservation and biotechnology.
Frequently asked questions
What is Medical Technology?
Imaging and devices help diagnose and treat.
What will I learn in Medical Technology?
X-rays, MRI, ultrasound. Pacemakers. Dialysis.
Is Medical Technology part of Biology?
Yes. It is one of 150 Biology topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Medical Technology lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Medical Technology?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.