The History of Digital Health

Chapter 02/07

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Snapshot

Medicine and technology have always been closely intertwined. As we invent and discover new tools and technology, we naturally apply them to health and medicine. Often, we even pursue advances in technology in order to improve health. As digital technology has advanced, scientists and researchers have been quick to apply those advances to medicine.

Key Terms:

Nikola Tesla
George Devol
Steven Sasson
3D printing
PUMA 560
Telesurgery
Nanoprocessor
Neural dust
Smart pill

How is it that in 2019 we’re able to implant neural dust, give people smart pills in lieu of endoscopies and carry an EKG in our pocket?

Not so long ago, few people had cell phones, loading a web page could take several minutes and the only way to make a reservation or appointment was to use a phone. Unless you work in a medical or health care profession, you may be unaware how technological advances have propelled medicine forward throughout modern history. From the invention of the compound microscope in 1590 with to the widespread access to WiFi in the early 2000s, technology has contributed to medical advances—and there’s even more to look forward to.

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The intertwined histories oftechnology and medicine

Interact with an entry to learn more and see what events relate to it.

1590

Compound microscope
The first compound microscope was invented in 1590 (although objects resembling lenses date back 4,000 years).
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
1800

First true battery
In 1800, Volta invented the first true battery, which came to be known as the voltaic pile.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
1800s

Reliable microscopes
Technical improvements made microscopes more reliable, turning them into an essential medical tool, contributing to the discoveries of germs and the cell.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
1886

Radio wave transmission
Heinrich Hertz becomes the first person to transmit and receive controlled radio waves.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
1892

Medical batteries
Physicians began to use medical batteries for electrotherapy—a treatment for relaxation of muscle spasms, increase of blood circulation, and management of chronic pain.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
1895

Discovery of X-rays
X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who observed a fluorescent glow of crystals in his laboratory.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
1896

Surgical use of X-rays
X-rays were first used in a surgical operation.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
1898

Remote control using radio waves
Nikola Tesla uses radio waves to direct the movements of a robotic boat.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
1921

Surgical microscope
The first surgical microscope was built and used to operate on a patient in microsurgery.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
1952

First pacemaker
The first pacemaker was implanted in a person in 1958. It didn’t last very long, though that patient lived to age 88 and had 26 pacemakers in his lifetime.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
1954

First industrial robot
The first digitally operated and programmable robot was invented by George Devol.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
1972

First CT Scan
CT or computed tomography is invented allowing scientists to produce cross-sectional images of the body. The original system was dedicated to head imaging only.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
1975

Digital camera
Steven Sasson invents the world’s first digital camera.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
1980

MRI scanner
Raymond Damadian builds first commercial MRI scanner and tests it on himself.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
1984

3D printer
The first commercial 3D printer was made on a technique called “stereolithography”, invented by Charles Hull.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
1985

Surgical robot
A robotic surgical arm called PUMA 560 was used in surgery.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
2001

WiFi
WiFi is introduced for home use and Linksys releases a home WiFi router.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
2001

First telesurgery
The first telesurgery is performed.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
2007

Bionic eye
The bionic eye restores partial vision for six blind patients.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
2011

Programmable Nanoprocessor
Researchers at Harvard and MITRE produce world’s first programmable nanoprocessor.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
2014

First skull transplant
A 3D printer is used for a skull transplant.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
2015

Balloon Wifi
2015

Smallest Pacemaker
A self-contained pacemaker 10% the size of previous pacemakers is invented improving on a design that has remained relatively the same since 1958.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
2016

Neural Dust
Tiny wireless sensors are invented that can be implanted in the body (safely) are invented. They can passively collect data on muscles and tissue.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
2017

360-Degree Cameras
Inexpensive cameras that can create spherical images are now widely available.
This Tech led to the following medical breakthroughs:
2017

Smart pills
“Smart pills” designed for endoscopies use miniature cameras to capture images of the digestive tract and wireless transmit them to a recorder the patient wears.
This Medical Breakthrough was made possible by this tech:
2019

Quantum Leap
2020 and beyond

AI, big data and robotics

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Beyond the advances listed here, the integration of AI, big data and wireless devices into the medical field will mean higher-quality data, better outcomes and progress at an unprecedented rate—and it’s only speeding up from here.

The History of Digital Health

Key Terms:

Explore the Interactive Timeline

Timeline: Smart Medicine Through History

What comes next?

The Technologies Behind Digital Health

The History of Digital Health Add to reading list

Key Terms:

Explore the Interactive Timeline

Timeline: Smart Medicine Through History

What comes next?

The Technologies Behind Digital Health

The History of Digital Health