Lesson 1: History of Medical
(1855) Laryngoscope – Manuel
Technology Profession
History of Medical Technology in a
Global Context
o Disease was believed to be caused by
the negative interaction between
environment and the body.
o By around 300 BC to 180 AD,
Hippocrates and Galen instigated a
rudimentary and qualitative assessment
of disorder through measurement of
body fluids or four humors: blood,
phlegm, yellow bile, black bile)
o Urine was one of the body fluids that
underwent examination. Hippocrates
advocated the tasting of urine, listening
to the lungs, and observing outward
appearances in the diagnosis of disease.
By 900 AD, the first book detailing the
characteristics of urine was written.
o In the 11th century, medical practitioners
were not allowed to conduct physical
examination of the patient’s body and
relied on the patient’s description of
symptoms and observations.
o In the 18th century, mechanical
techniques and cadaver and dissection
were used to provide a more accurate
diagnosis and to understand the insides
of the body.
o In the 19th century, physicians began
using machines for diagnosis or
therapeutics. Among these were John
Hutchinson's Spirometer for measuring
the vital capacity of the heart, and Jules
Herisson’s sphygmomanometer for
measuring blood pressure.
o Rather than using patient description of
their symptoms for diagnostics,
technology took over as basis for
diagnostic assessment which resulted in
increased diagnostic accuracy.
a. (1816) Stethoscope – Rene
Laennec. Used to acquire
information about the lungs and
heartbeats.
b. (1840) Microscope – Anton van
Leeuwenhoek. Developed for
medical purposes due to advances
in lenses and lower costs.
c. (1850) Opthalmoscope
Hermann von Helmholz. or
funduscopy, is an eye check-up
focused on the retina, optic disc
and the blood vessels of the eye.
d.
Garcia. Using two mirrors to
observe the throat and larynx.
e. (1859) X-ray – Willhelm Roentgen.
To view the inside of the body
without surgery.
f. (1903) Electrocardiograph –
William Einthoven. To measure
electrical changes during the
beating of the heart.
g. (1910) Kenny Method – Elizabeth
Kenny. a method of treating
poliomyelitis consisting basically of
application of hot fomentations and
rehabilitation of muscular activity by
passive movement and then guided
active coordination
h. (1927) Drinker Respirator – Philip
Drinker. To help patients with
paralytic anterior poliomyelitis
recover normal respiration with the
assistance of artificial respirator.
i. (1939) Heart-lung machine –
Hermann von Helmholz. does the
work of the heart and lungs is the
insertion of a catheter into a
chamber or vessel of the heart.
This is done both for diagnostic
and interventional
purposes.during surgery.
j. (1941) Cardiac catheterization
and Angiography – First operated
by Werner Forsmann in 1929. Is the
insertion of a catheter into a
chamber or vessel of the heart. This
is done both for diagnostic and
interventional purposes.
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