A depiction of our insides - Imaging diagnostics

Using imaging diagnostics or its designated equipment, it is possible to depict the inside of the body either completely or partially. This will help doctors to diagnose and treat an illness and determine its severity. The great advantage of imaging diagnostics lies in the fact that they are on the one hand fairly safe and on the other hand non-invasive. This means that neither incisions nor the insertion of an instrument into the body are necessary.

Well-known methods of imaging diagnostics include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRT for short), sonography using ultrasound and nuclear medicine imaging. One of the tasks of medical technology design is to continuously improve these existing technologies and minimize existing risks. In consultation with the doctors and nursing staff, engineers, designers and medical professionals, we strive to innovate and optimize the workflow.

You can find out what forms of imaging diagnostics exist, what status they have in the field of medical technology and how the equipment should be constantly improved now in our blog!

One form of imaging diagnostics is the so-called positron emission tomography (PET). With the help of this examination method, metabolic processes in the body can be shown. For this purpose, PET imaging uses radioactively labeled substances, which are referred to as "tracers", which are injected into the patient's bloodstream. The radiation that the body now emits in different regions is calculated using a computer and a measuring unit. Depending on the specific activity of the metabolism, the substances accumulate to different extents in individual areas of the body. Since tumors and metastases often have a different energy metabolism than healthy tissue, changes can be easily differentiated. This form of imaging diagnostics is therefore particularly suitable for cancer diagnostics.

Another form of imaging diagnostics is cranial imaging. This is used to diagnose the skull and brain. FLAIR (fluid attenuated inversion recovery) imaging technology is used here, which can differentiate between free and tissue-bound fluid. Using FSE frequencies (fast spin echo), this ensures specific suppression of the signal from the free liquid, which is then displayed in black on the image. This method of imaging diagnostics is therefore particularly suitable for determining damage or changes in the brain area.

Mithilfe der funktionellen Bildgebung lassen sich Stoffwechselaktivität oder Blutfluss messen. Zu dieser Methode der bildgebenden Diagnostik zählt bspw. die Magnetresonanztherapie. Dieses Untersuchungsverfahren dient der Erzeugung hochauflösender Schnittbilder des menschlichen Körpers mittels eines starken Magnetfeldes. Somit basiert sie anders als die Computertomographie nicht auf der Nutzung von Röntgenstrahlung. Durch diese Form der bildgebenden Diagnostik lassen sich besonders gut Gehirn und Rückenmark sowie innere Organe, Muskeln und Gelenke darstellen. Neue Varianten der MRT können mittlerweile sogar Blutgefäße und Tumore im Frühstadium erkennen sowie einen Einblick in den individuellen Stoffwechsel des Patienten gewinnen. Neben seiner Qualität liegt der Vorteil der MRT insbesondere in ihrer nahezu risikolosen Anwendungen, da keine Strahlen zur Bildgebung verwendet werden.

Wie bereits Eingangs erwähnt, handelt es sich bei dem Themenkonstrukt der bildgebenden Diagnostik ebenso wie bei fast allen Apparaturen und Methoden der Medizintechnik um sich ständig optimierende Prozesse und Abläufe. Die Medizinprodukte werden so immer besser, sicherer und eröffnen seinen Anwender fortwährend neue Möglichkeiten. Das Medical Design widmet sich vorrangig der Fragestellung, inwieweit die Geräte der bildgebenden Diagnostik auch für Ihre Nutzer freundlicher zu bedienen sind. Drängende Probleme ergeben sich hier vor allem im Bereich der Ergonomie und Usability sowie des Graphical User Interface. Es geht also vorrangig darum, wie die Gerätschaften möglichst einfach zu nutzen sind und sich überdies nahtlos in den Praxisalltag der medizinischen Kräfte integrieren. In diesem Zusammenhang spielt auch UX in der Medizintechnik eine bedeutsame Rolle. Über die reine Nützlichkeit hinaus beschäftigt sich die User Experience insbesondere mit dem Faktor des „Joy of use“. Die Apparaturen der bildgebenden Diagnostik sollen so nicht einfach Benutzerfreundlich, sondern mehr noch intuitiv zu bedienen sein. Mithin stellen die eben genannten Komponenten des Medizintechnik Designs einen Garanten für Sicherheit und Innovation im klinischen Alltag dar.

As already mentioned at the beginning, the thematic construct of imaging diagnostics, like almost all devices and methods of medical technology, is about processes and procedures that are constantly being optimized. Medical products are constantly getting better and safer, and are constantly opening up new possibilities for their users. Medical design is primarily dedicated to the question of how the devices for imaging diagnostics are also more user-friendly to operate. Urgent problems arise here above all in the area of ​​ergonomics and usability as well as the graphical user interface. It is therefore primarily a question of how the equipment can be used as easily as possible and also how it can be seamlessly integrated into the everyday practice of the medical staff. In this context, UX also plays an important role in medical technology. In addition to pure usefulness, the user experience is particularly concerned with the "joy of use" factor. The imaging diagnostic equipment should not simply be user-friendly, but rather intuitive to use. Consequently, the components of medical technology design just mentioned represent a guarantee for safety and innovation in everyday clinical practice.

The techniques in the field of imaging diagnostics are developing rapidly and are constantly being linked to existing technologies. There are efforts to increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into the field of medical imaging. This then relieves the doctor of analysis work and thereby relieves the medical staff. You can find out more about this in our blog topic "Digitization in medical technology". The possibilities of imaging diagnostics seem endless and it remains to be seen which groundbreaking innovations the next few years will bring. We are equally excited and confident!

If you have any further questions about imaging diagnostics or medical technology design, you are of course welcome to contact us at any time. We are looking forward to your message.