Newspaper article: 3-D Medical Scanner: New Handheld Imaging Device to Aid Doctors on the ‘Diagnostic Front Lines’
Article by: Angela Stark (The Optical Society)
Article by: Angela Stark (The Optical Society)
Summary of the Article
A new, real time imaging scanner developed by engineers from the University of Illinois will help physicians (family doctors) better diagnose conditions and accurately refer patients to specialists. This scanner uses optical coherence tomography (OCT), which is a technology similar to ultrasound. The device is made up of three parts, “a near-infrared light source and OCT system, a video camera to relay real-time images of surface features and scan locations, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS)-based scanner to direct the light.” (Source article) Reduction in price for production and more compact designs are hoped to help make this device a common point-of-care device.Stephen Boppart and his team received a $5-million grant to further work on the device.
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Picture of the handheld scanner to check ears. Picture of normal
ear and an ear with a bio film.
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Analysis
Everyone may not be able to understand how the scanner works since this article (source article) uses many scientific terms to describe the mechanics of the scanner. However, the average person should be able to understand the gist of the article and how it can possibly affect us. Other news articles on this topic present mostly the same information, however some go more in depth. While reading this article, I did not detect any bias because the information is presented in a factual, informative way.Thoughts and Opinion
By reading this article I learned that there are 3-D real time scanners that physicians could possibly use better diagnose patients. This made me wonder about the possibilities of this technology being available to family doctors and walk in clinic doctors. Many patients would benefit from this technology; including people with diabetes, cancer, and other diseases or infections. These patients could be diagnosed and treated earlier, resulting in a higher survival rate for cancer patients. I wonder how much this technology would cost and how quickly would we be able to access this technology in Canada. Also, would this technology be available in developing countries?Source Article: http://www.osa.org/en-us/about_osa/newsroom/newsreleases/2012/3-d_medical_scanner_new_handheld_imaging_device_to/
Other article (in depth): http://www.telepresenceoptions.com/2012/10/handheld_3d_medical_scanner_to/
Another article on the same topic: http://www.onlinetmd.com/medical-manufacturing-3d-scanner-100412.aspx
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