“Should technology become apart of human life?”
As our
societies begin to realize that using technology benefits us in many ways, we
are starting to incorporate more and more technologies into our lives, and
beginning to become an e-society. By assisting humans and non-human animals
with artificial limbs and organs; developing faster and more efficient ways of
transferring data; and making communication devices much more accessible and
cheaper. These are all ways that are transforming the lives of everyone around
the world. “These technologies can make life easier, can let us touch people we
might not otherwise. You may have a child with a birth defect and be able to
get in touch with other parents and support groups, get medical information,
the latest experimental drugs. These things can profoundly influence life.
(Jobs, Wired, February 1996)” Just like Steve Jobs, many of us also believe
that the advancing technology, our lives have been more convenient and changed
dramatically. In this research paper, I will cover some easily neglected, but
extremely important technological advances. The examples will vary from outer
body to inner body technological uses. Throughout this paper, I will be
presenting benefits and advantages those technologies will bring us.
An artificial heart is a device that is
used to replace the heart when a heart failure occurs. Heart failure, defined
by the condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your
body’s need in order to make your body work properly. The more common case in
which a person would need to have an artificial heart is to keep your heart
functioning while they are waiting for the heart transplant. These artificial
hearts function by attaching to the atria, which are the heart’s upper
chambers. Between the artificial heart and the atria, there are mechanical
valves that control the flow of blood in the heart to work properly. Currently,
there are two main types of artificial hearts. The differences between these
two types of artificial heart are the power source. CardioWest has tubes that
run from the inside chest to an outside power source to keep it functioning. On
the other hand, AbioCor stays inside human chest completely and charges through
the skin with a special magnetic charger. It is intended for use with patients
who suffer from pertaining to both ventricles of the heart failure and also
people who have no options for heart transplant. After the advent of CardioWest
and AbioCor, Dr. Rober Jarvik came up with a more advance artificial heart
device called Jarvik 2000. It is the first ventricular assist devices that were
meant to be the sideline for the failing biological heart for the heart
failures. Jarvik 2000 was just about the size of a thumb. Within this tiny
device, there is a direct-current motor that supported by two ceramic bearings.
It operates by a rotary impeller, which suspended in the bloodstream and spins
on a ceramic bearing. The pump blade is adjustable based on the user’s physical
activity level, which it spins in the range between 8000 to 12000 rpm. Jarvick
2000 can simply utilize user’s remaining heart strength and keeps everything
work in shape. Besides, the pump of Jarvik 2000 is designed to minimize
patient’s reliance on mechanical support and assist the patient have the best
chances to recovered. Fifteen years old Italian boy received his first
permanent artificial heart implant after a ten-hour surgery at Bambino Gesu
Hospitial in Rome. And now is said to be in a stable and good condition. Few
years ago, this young man was suffered from Duchenne syndrome, which is a
condition where the muscle tissues were degraded. And, even worse about this
syndrome, it is ineligible for any heart transplant. In order to safe and
continue this young boy’s life, doctors decide to install a Jarvick 2000 Venticular
Assist Device into his left ventricle in order to assist his heart to pump
regularly. What makes this case special is that these kind of artificial hearts
that base on permanent used have only been used in adults from the past record.
What challenge the surgeons from this operation is placing this complex heart
implant into a patient with a more younger and delicate heart. As there is no
examples case from the past, any unexpected accident might happen during the
operation. However, the operation had gone through successfully and without any
necessity of removing the devices afterwards. As this artificial heart was
implanted into this boy’s body, its power supply is routed to a plug behind his
ear and connected to a battery that he will be worn on his waist. And the
battery and simply be recharged overnight. Jarvick 2000 has successfully
brought this young man back to his normal life. After this succession, using
heart implants as permanent solution have become a more widely accepted
technique. Nowadays, there are more and more different types of artificial
heart been prototype and develop. Hopefully, in future we can expect this heart
device to become more self sufficient, complete and be able to last in the
patient’s body for their entire life.
As the
human race progresses towards a more advanced world, we are required to absorb
in information as a much faster and more efficient rate. As brain-sensing chips
are being more and more improved, this is one of technologies that will allow
us to go beyond what we can do nowadays. Even with today’s microchips, we can
access the computer using thoughts alone. This type of connections can be used
from controlling a wheelchair to prosthetic limbs from just brainwaves. Besides
of using this chips as for controlling machines by human’s brainwaves, this
chips can also be used it as a tracking assistance device. People can simply
implant these microchips with just a pinch of a syringe, and the microchips
will be inserted under the skin within 20 minutes with no stitches. Just by
silently pass over the patient’s microchips over scanner pass, patient’s
specific information can be easily accessed. People are able to track and login
into everything from your medical and financial history and even your
day-to-day movements. A decade ago, huge amount of people have decide to
inserted chips inside their pets in order track their pet’s movement if they
get lost. Besides tracking pets with microchips, we have also fully expected to
have tracking chips intergrade within the human society. An example would be by
helping to track the patient with Alzheimer's. According to Alzheimer's
Community Care, they supports and strongly recommend Alzheimer’s patients to
implant chips base on the safety concern. This is due to that Alzheimer’s
patients are unable to speak for themselves during an emergency without any
caregivers accompany. In such a case, the patient might receive an
inappropriate treatment. Therefore by implanting chips in Alzheimer’s patient,
staff from the hospital can use RFID (Radio- frequency indentation)
interrogator to scan over patient’s arm and get their medical information
directly and wirelessly. But so far, it was still not legal for patients to
insert chips in their bodies, because of the problem such as invasion of
people’s privacy and high risk of outflowing personal information. Since
microchips creates problem such as invasion of personal privacy. VeriChip is
another types of chips been develop for medical use. The Verichip itself
contain no medical records, it is basically just codes that can be scanned and
revealed in doctor’s office. By using that code, the health providers can be
able to unlock the secure database that holds people’s medical information. And
in order to protect patient’s privacy the device will only provide vital
medical information such as blood type and allergic reactions. As soon as the
laws and regulations on the chips are passed, the chips will be able to release
their potential contribution to the society.
RedTacton
is a new technology, which functions by using the human body as a digital
transmits path. It is an electronic network device that interfaces based on
physical human interactions, such as touching, holding, sitting, walking or
stepping on a particular spot. The speed of the data transmission can be up to
10 Mb per second. Instead of using cables to connect camera to the computer,
people can simply transfer pictures by touching the PC while the camera is
around the user’s neck. And since the data can be passed to one to another,
users can easily trade music files by kissing, exchange electronic business
cards by shaking hands and swap phone numbers by hugging each other. In order
for the RedTacton to function, however, requires three levels of connectivity.
The connections are Wide Area network (WAN), Local Area Networks (LAN), and
Human Area Networks (HAN). There are many technologies of course that connects
and exchanges data, but this the RedTacton was introduced to solve the “last
meter” connectivity problem. This type of technology might seem trivial now,
but imagine the efficiency this device will allow us to have. The current speed
mentioned above is 10 megabits per second, which is, admittedly, not very fast.
But as this technology improves in the future, we will be able to exchange not
only small amount of data, but libraries and libraries of information with a
simple touch. This technology, of course, is not limited to just human to human
contact. It can also be used at public transportation stops, classrooms,
tourist sites, and more! With a configured metal plate placed in certain spots,
people can touch the surface of it and receive the information provided.
Google
(Project) Glass is a near complete wearable electronic device design that was
conceptual planned to let the user interact with the environment around them
without disconnecting from it. The first look at the glasses might give an odd
impression, since it looks like a pair of normal glasses without the lenses
with an additional small square block on the right side of it. The
titanium-framed glasses headset comfortably light, it even weightless than a
pair of sunglasses. On the side, there is a touch pad for control and a top
button for shooting photos and videos for the built-in camera. There is also a
small information display that will be visible through a head-ups display
(HUD). Google Glass basically is designed to take all the functionality of a
smartphone and placed into a wearable device. The see-through lens on the top
right corner could display everything from text messages, mapping, to
reminders. Besides, they may also have the function of having video chats or
taking photos and record notes. For all its utility, though, Google Glass is
the least distracting computer ever. Thad Starner, one of the main testers for
Google Glass, said, “One of the key points here is that we’re trying to make
mobile systems that help the user pay more attention to the real world as
opposed to retreating from it,” in an interview on June 19, 2012.
Technologies
not only convince human life, they also support people to give himself or
herself a second chances from accidents or incompleteness that happened in
their life. Most of us might not fully comprehend the situations, but we all
know that having “missing body parts” is not the ideal choice to live life. The
progresses made in prosthetics limbs are simply incredible. From the early,
heavy, and clunky artificial limbs to the light weighted, brain-powered, and
smooth prosthetic limbs today just makes everyone breathe easier. The
prosthetic limbs today have even allowed people to skydive, climb mountains,
run marathons, participate fully in sports, and even be on active duty in the
military. The prosthetic limbs give people a chance to live without
limitations. It brings motivation to everyone who knows the gravity of the
situation. Oscar Pistorius, the first amputee blade runner who runs the world
record holder for the 100, 200 and 400 meter event. He uses his prosthetic legs
to overthrow the sport world to rethink and have a brand new impression with
being as a disabled athlete. Pistorius was born in South Africa in 1986. Both
of his leg was born without the fibula, which are the long thin bone that form
and supports the calf muscle of the outer part of the ankle. About a month before
Pistorius’s first birthday, his parents decide to amputated both of his legs
below the knee and let him learn to walk on prosthetics instead of wheelchair.
Within six months, Pistorius successfully accommodate his new pair of
prosthetic legs. Although Pistorius lived with a pair of prosthetic legs, this
innate incompleteness didn’t stop him from his large interest in sports. In his
young ages, Pistorius was interested and in many kinds of athletic activity,
especially water polo and rugby. But due to his knee injury, he was unable to
compete in a rugby career. But soon he got introduced to track during his knee
rehabilitation. Meanwhile, he began to start running. While he starts his life
on track, he changes to another pair of carbon fiber and steal blade. This new
pair of steel blades is very different compare to the prosthetic legs that
Protrius has been living with for the past sixteen years. Although he suffer
from accommodate his new pair of failed of time during the training and
practices, but it didn’t drown Pistorius down. The new pair of prosthetic legs
gave him new hope of achieving what seemed like an impossible feat. It gave him
the confidence to stand up again and strive towards his goal. “I don’t see
myself as disabled. In the final of the race I tell myself: I wouldn’t be here
unless I qualified, and I know I can do this.” (Postorius, WebCite, June 9th,
2012).
In
conclusion, the technological breakthroughs mentioned above are crucial points
for the society to move forward. Many people might not feel the significance of
those devices because it doesn’t directly involve them, but not every
technological breakthrough fits in perfectly with everyone’s lives and needs.
It’s these considered small, mundane, and continual improvements that are the
building blocks for our society. Even though not all of the technological
advances mentioned above are currently available to the general public, all
those devices are greatly influencing our lives. The most contribution these
technological devices to society is helping us achieve what was previously not
possible or accessible to the common people. The technologies can offer us so
many second chances and opportunities. They will offer new ways that we can
communicate with each other. All the technologies mentioned above is finding a
way to use technology that works with human behavior. How to use all the
breakthroughs and incorporate them with the society and use them to their full
potential.
"What Is a Total Artificial Heart
?". National Heart Lung and blood
Institute. 6th July 2012. Web. 5th November. 2012.
>
"Healthy Hearts: Artificial Heart." The Human Heart. 2007. Web. 5th Novembe,2012.
Saenz, Aaaron. "Italian boy receieves
permanent "artificial heart" impant." Sigularity HUB. 10th July 2010. Web 29th November, 2012.
<http://singularityhub.com/2010/10/07/italian-boy-receives-permanent-artificial-heart-implant/>
Job, Steve. "The Wired Interview."
Feburary 1996.
<http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.02/jobs_pr.html>
Craig H. Selzmen, MD. "Off-Pump Insertion
of the Jarvik 2000 Left Ventricular assist device." The Cardio Throacic Surgery Network. 21st February, 2008. Web.
29th November, 2012.
>
Schaffer, Erik. "Overview of Limb
Prosthetics." The Merch Manul Home
Health Handbook.. May 2007. Web. 5th November. 2012.
Bougas, Nico. "Oscar Pistorius: 'The
Fastest thing on no legs.' WebCite.
9th June, 2012. Web. 5th November, 2012.
Miller, Paul. "Project Glass and the epic
history of wearble computer." The
Verge. 26th June, 2012. Web. 5th November, 2012.
Bilton, Nick. "A Rose-Colored View May
Come Standard." The New York Times.
4th April, 2012. Web. 5th November, 2012.
Lin, Edwards. "Intel wants a chip implant
in your brain." Phys.Org. 23rd
November, 2009. Web 5th November, 2012.
The Associated Press. "FDA approves
computer hip for humans." Health-
Health care NBC News. 13th October, 2004. Web. 5th November, 2012.
>
Swedberg Claire. “Alzheimer’s Care Center to
Carry Out VeriChip Pilot.” REID Journal.
20th May, 2007. Web. 30th November, 2012.
Slavo, Mac. “Coming Soon: Computer Chip
Implants for Human Tracking.” Theintelhub.com.
1st November, 2011. Web. 30th November, 2012.
>
Good, Robin. “Broadband Networking Via Human
Skin: Body- Based Data Transmission Coming Soon.” Robin Good’s MasterNewMedia. 21st July 2005. Web. 5th November.
2012.
l>
