Fans old enough (or nerdy enough) to remember the TV and film series, Star Trek, will no doubt remember Dr. “Bones” McCoy’s amazing handheld scanner.
Called a “tricorder”, this device would explore the body of a patient (or victim) whilst connected (wirelessly, as I remember it) to a portable readout device, resembling a transistor radio.
Today, according to a recent Forbes article, space-age diagnostic devices not dissimilar to the tricorder will be available to doctors, and maybe even consumers, before you know it.
These new devices, many of which are based on advanced ultrasound technology will perform the same functions as a room full of multi-million-dollar diagnostic equipment, at a fraction of the cost. See full article
Of course, the role of the doctor, dentist or other medical practitioner is still vital, but these new devices will speed the job of figuring out just what’s wrong with you (if anything), with improved accuracy, with earlier detection and treatment.
Well, time for this writer to head off to the transporter room. I’m due at a meeting downtown!
More about modern-day “tricorder” development.
A medical tricorder is a handheld portable scanning device to be used by consumers to self-diagnose medical conditions within seconds and take basic vital measurements. More at Wikipedia
