The document discusses four technologies that can help improve health and quality of life: 1) Bionics, which uses electromagnetism to link brain signals to limb movement, helping amputees regain mobility. 2) Cellular therapy uses stem cells to treat diseases by regenerating cells and tissues. 3) Automated external defibrillators shock hearts back into rhythm during cardiac emergencies. 4) Smart pill monitoring systems non-invasively diagnose gastrointestinal issues by transmitting pH, pressure and temperature data from inside the digestive tract. The document argues that medical innovation relies on technology to save lives and improve conditions, demonstrating technological determinism.

1. Technology will Save our
Minds and Bodies
Jeremy Grey

2. Technology #1: BIONICS
 What is it?
 Electro magnetic technology to link brain electrical
inputInto real life movement(T. 2014).
 How does it help?
 It helps amputees return back to their normal lives
by re-creating their missing limb, which they can
control with their brain (T. 2014).
 Example:
 Adrian Hoslet Davis as seen in the picture to the
right,DANCING! (T. 2014).
 From weekly learning session 7

3. PROS  Gives amputees their abilities back.
 Able to walk
 Able to hold objects
 Helps amputees get back to their normal lives.
Gets them back to work and enjoying life.
 Versatile as anyone is able to use it that body part
can now become anything you want. You are able
to specialize the amputee body part to meet the
needs of the activity weather that be running, rock
climbing or even just walking.

4. CONS  Upfront costs can be expensive
 Not accessible to all those who need it
 There are regular maintenance costs that
come with prosthetics.
 Can cause infections if not taken care of
properly (Rossbach).

5. Technology #2: Cellular Therapy
 What is it?
 Cellular therapy uses stem cells to treat or
prevent diseases.
 Stem cells are unspecialized cells residing
in our own tissues, which the body can
turn in to the type of cell that it needs
(Clinical Trials).
 How does it help?
 Helps by bringing mobility back to limbs
and reverse/cure diseases.

6. Example:
BEFORE
AFTER(P. 2011)

7. • Helps patients get
back to their
normal lives
• Large amount of
possibilities for
healing
PRO
S

8. Still in the experimental
phases
Retrieving bone marrow
can be very painful
Procedures tend to be
invasive
CONS

9. Technology #3: Automated External
Defibrillator
 What is it?
 A defibrillator that walks users through the process
of administering the life saving shock
 How does it help?
 Shocks patients hearts back into rhythm if the patient
needs it (What Is an AED?)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V99-R12iCS4

10. Example:
(The Mikey Network)

11.  Keeps heart beating in critical situations,
which keeps patients alive while help is on
the way
 Allows blood to flow through the body
and brain
PROS
 Easy to use, walks users
through process
 Will not administer
shock if not necessary

12. Might not always be in reach
when its needed
Expensive upfront cost
CONS

13. Technology #4: Smart Pill GI Monitoring
system
 What is it?
 A pill-sized data collecting device swallowed by
patients experiencing stomach problems to diagnose
their gastrointestinal issues.
 Measures PH, pressure and temperature throughout
gastrointestinal track (Motility Monitoring)
 How does it help?
 Gives people who are experiencing gastrointestinal
issues a simple way to diagnose what is wrong.

14.  Non invasive way to diagnose gastrointestinal
issues
 Avoids surgery
 Easy to swallow
 No recovery time
 Patient is able to live regularly while the pill
diagnoses the issue
 Approved by FDA
PROS

15.  Patient must fast for 8 hours before test
 Cannot eat 6 hours after ingesting the capsule
 Stop mobility altering medications 48 hours before
test
 Cannot use other prescriptions for the issue 7 days
before the test which may cause discomfort.
 Schedule return of data receiver
 Cannot be used by patients under 18 years old
 Risk of capsule retention
 May not work in obese patients
CONS

16. CONCLUSIONS
 In conclusion to my research I have found that medical innovation greatly
depends on technology. At any point in our lives, complications can arise
and we must depend on technology to save us. This strongly relates to
technological determinism because as humans, we depend on technology
for our medical needs. Some patients cannot continue living without the
help of medical technology. In the case of AEDs, technology saves lives at
very critical moments. On the other hand, medical technologies such as
bionics do not physically save patients lives, but drastically improve
patients' quality of life.

17. Works Cited:
 T. (2014). New Bionics Let Us Run, Climb and Dance | Hugh Herr | TED Talks. Retrieved August 01, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDsNZJTWw0w
 P. (2011). Spare Parts for Humans: Tissue Engineers Aim for Lab-Grown Limbs, Lungs and More. Retrieved
August 01, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLFUEEs2ouM
 Rossbach, P. (n.d.). Tips for Taking Care of Your Limb. Retrieved August 01, 2016, from http://www.amputee-
coalition.org/inmotion/may_jun_08/taking_care_your_limb.html
 Clinical Trials. (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2016, from http://stemcellfoundation.ca/en/toward-treatments/clinical-
trials/
 Motility Monitoring. (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2016, from http://www.givenimaging.com/en-int/Innovative-
Solutions/Motility/SmartPill/Pages/default.aspx
 28th Mikey Save At Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon - The Mikey Network. (2015). Retrieved August 01,
2016, from http://mikeynetwork.com/28th-mikey-save-at-scotiabank-toronto-waterfront-marathon/
 What Is an Automated External Defibrillator? (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2016, from
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/aed