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important fields of medicine. One of the key areas of medicine includes organ transplantation. Tissue engineering holds a potential application in organ transplantation. Increasing number
of diseases leading to organ damages created the need for new transplants. Unfortunately, there is a huge shortage of organs in many parts of the world, and this is geared to be fulfilled by the emerging TERM technology. This will definitely be a breakthrough innovation in the medical sector providing new lives to many individuals worldwide.
As per the United States Government information on organ donation and transplantation, “over the past two dec- ades, the number of patients waiting for a transplant continues to be larger than the number of organ donors”.
Tissue engineering comprises combi- nation of cells, scaffolds, and growth fac- tors for the regeneration of tissues and cells or replacement of damaged or dis- eased tissues. On the other hand, regen- erative medicine involves conjunction of tissue engineering along with the other approaches. This includes gene therapy, immunomodulation, and cell-based therapy, further providing assistance to inducing in-vivo regeneration of organs or tissues according to requirement. Hence, the TERM technology has great potential to bring in a transformation
in restoration of normal tissue or organ functions. In case of small damages, nat- ural healing is possible; however, in the case of complicated damage, TERM can be used. With advancements in tissue engineering, enabling technologies, such as 3D printing are also coming up where bio-printed, biocompatible constructs (organs) are possible. This will further evade the problems of organ rejection.
INTERNET OF MEDICAL THINGS (IoMT) (1999)
Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is one of the crucial applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) and is used
July 2021
Medical X-Ray imaging
with the invention of non-invasive X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Rӧntgen. With technological advancements came cutting-edge technologies in imaging that included ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emis- sion tomography (PET). The innovation advanced at a steady pace from black- and-white, two-dimensional images to coloured, three-dimensional images. Efforts are being made towards adop- tion of important improvements, for ex- ample, mobile imaging. Pocket devices that are quite easy and portable to han- dle can be used without compromising on image quality and data acquisition. Soon, hand-held ultrasounds are poised to replace stethoscopes. The image can be assessed through a smartphone.
The concept of hybrid imaging is also gaining momentum where doctors will be able to view images with much more diagnostic accuracy and precision by the fusion of two or more imaging devices.
This would further help in making ef- fective treatment decisions in case of an abnormality. Furthermore, hybrid im- aging will be helpful in post-treatment decisions as well. Many are aware of the well-established utilization of PET-CT scan technology which has added value to the areas of cardiology, neurology, and oncology.
Positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT have also revolutionised imaging. Another hybrid imaging modality available is PET-MRI.
Research studies suggest that a PET/ MRI is better in performance than PET/ CT for cancer imaging. The former is capable of detecting a greater number of lesions and that too with a reduced level of exposure to radiations. This makes PET/MRI an ideal technology for paediatric patients.
TISSUE ENGINEERING AND RGENERATIVE MEDICINE (TERM)(1980s)
The dream of repair and replacement of diseased or damaged cells and tissues
PET-CT hybrid imaging
First 3D printed tiny heart made out of real human tissue (Source: cnet.com)
with healthy ones was made possible with the advent of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, abbreviated as TERM. Tissue engineering was intro- duced in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, application of engineering for repairing biological tissues was conceptualized. This further laid the foundation of bringing in a revolution in some of the