Presentation on Bionics/Cybernetics, 3D Printing and Virtual Tables

2. Medical 3D Printing
Virtual Dissection
Tables
Art by T.
Montgomery

3. VERY SIMILAR AS THEY BOTH STUDY TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE ON
BEHAVIOR AND STRUCTURE OF LIVING ORGANISMS IN ORDER TO
BETTER THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
BIONICS DESIGNS AND CREATES ARTIFICIAL MACHINES THAT
MIMIC A VARIETY OF NATURE’S WAYS OF DOING THINGS.
CYBERNETICS SEEKS MORE TO EXPLAIN LIVING BEINGS, THEN
DESIGNS AND CREATES ARTIFICIAL ATTACHMENTS THAT MIMIC
THE MISSING PARTS BEHAVIOR.

4. The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica – (Last Updated 3-9-
2015) say the main fields of bionics research are:
 Information processing
 Energy transformation
 Storage
They go on to say the general pattern of the information network
of living organisms is the following:
 Environmental sensations are received by the organs of sense.
 Coded into signals that are transmitted by nerves to the centers of
processing and memorization of the brain.

5.  Claude Shannon in a letter to Norbert Wiener in the 1940's about the
meaning of the word cybernetics said "Use the word `cybernetics',
Norbert, because nobody knows what it means. This will always put you
at an advantage in arguments."
 In 1987 Larry Richards developed a list of definitions/descriptions for
cybernetics when he was ASC’s (AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR
CYBERNETICS) president. Mr. Richards intent in preparing this list:
I. Demonstrate that one of the distinguishing features of cybernetics is it
could legitimately have multiple definitions.
II. Stimulate dialogue on what motivates those who have proposed
different definitions.
Cybernetics is more than just one idea; I believe it’s definition
to be a gathering of many ideas.

6.  Eyes, artificial hearts, limbs and many other vital organs can be replaced by
mechanical devices.
 Endless improvements to our bodies through bionics or cybernetics.
 Functionality in humans who suffer from diseases or amputation is a
substantial medical achievement.
 Documented that 60% - 70% of a human can be duplicated.
 ‘The Law of Accelerating Returns’ (LOAR) Author Ray Kurzweil offers an
explanation stating, “Technology is a positive feedback loop, using the best
technology to build more effective technology.” Kurzweil calls this process
double exponential growth.

7.  Ray Kurzweil, author of ‘The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend
Biology’ a 2006 non-fiction book says by the year 2045, progress will exceed
humans' ability to comprehend it.
 Kurzweil predicts irreversible transformation in people who choose to alter
themselves with genetics or artificial intelligence.
 Medical changes to the body using artificial means rarely work as well as
biological human parts.
 Cost
o of artificial replacement
o training patient to use
o maintenance of part
 Used for weapon improvement and advantage.

10. Can create weapons, guns and knives.
Size of the products limited.
Useless items, bad for the environment,
recycling issues.
New technologies, manufacturing jobs will
decrease.

11. Extreme impact to third world countries economies.
Copyrighted, counterfeit items nearly impossible to
distinguish.
Only products made of plastic, resin, certain
metals, and ceramics.

12. Procedure can be explained to a patient using
images.
Surgeons can practice procedure before working
on patient.
Many professions benefit, doctors, nurses, law
enforcement, etc.
Views of a body are even better than an actual body
view.
Remove parts, enlarge or rotate 3D image.

13. Lifelike interaction with the image on operating
table.
Three-dimensional, high resolution images of
cadavers
Strict regulations working with real cadavers.
Chemicals required for real cadaver, storage needs.
Only one student per real cadaver.

16. Conclusion PG. 1
On a medical point of view all the topics outlined will
greatly improve quality of life now and in the future
whether it be a new look on life using cybernetic
prosthetics to walk again or bionics to see again. Doctors
could create in the near future organs through medical 3D
printing using a patients’ unique DNA reducing the chance
of rejection. Even if a pathologist finds a new way to save
a life by studying 3D cadavers on a virtual table the future
of medical advancements looks promising.

17. Conclusion PG. 2
If we as a society can regulate the use of these wonderful
technologies and not let them be used in harmful and
destructive ways, the human race can only benefit
substantially.
I for one am keeping my fingers crossed that
humanity keeps all the new technology in
check, giving people the chance to live quality
lives through advanced medical technology.

18. REFERENCES : PG. 1
• Phil for Humanity - 2013, 02, 11 - A Guide for the Survival of
Humankind and Helping the World, Society, and Yourself.
http://www.philforhumanity.com/3D_Printing.html
• Claire Kowalick article ‘Virtual dissection table revolutionizes
teaching’ Posted: April 02, 2015 on, Times Record News.com
• http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/virtual-dissection-table-
revolutionizes-teaching-ep-1017962009-331296801.html
• Maryn McKenna, author of two books about public health. Article
‘Virtues of the Virtual Autopsy ‘Medical imaging offers new ways to
examine the deceased. November 1, 2012 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, A
DIVISION OF NATURE AMERICA, INC.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/virtues-of-the-virtual-
autopsy/

19. REFERENCES : PG. 2
• Bionics Technology - Written online by: The Editors of Encyclopedia
Britannica https://www.britannica.com/technology/bionics
• Larry Richards 1987 ASC Compilation of Cybernetics Definitions – article,
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CYBERNETICS FOUNDATIONS - The Subject of
Cybernetics - October 1999 http://www.asc-
cybernetics.org/foundations/definitions.htm
• Ray Kurzweil author, ‘The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend
Biology’ a 2006 non-fiction book about artificial intelligence and the future of
humanity. Named Inventor of the Year by MIT in 1988, recipient of nine
honorary doctorates, lives outside Boston, Massachusetts.
http://singularity.com/
• John Niman, Ethical Technology- Posted: May 2, 2013 to online website ‘The
Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies’ article ‘Prosthetic Technology
and Human Enhancement: Benefits, Concerns and Regulatory Schemes Pt1’.
http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/Niman20130502