Home / Members >> View Post
  • Vera Rulon

    Healthcare Tech from Star Trek

    January 5, 2012

    Vera Rulon, Director

    Both my husband and son are Star Trek geeks. Due to their proximity, I too have been assimilated. Although I’m not as avid a fan, I do enjoy the intricate plots and especially the technological advances that are predicted in all the Star Trek series and movies.

    I am amazed at how far we’ve come in achieving some of the technologies, or at least on the way to achieving them in health care. Here’s a cursory review.

    Tricorders (those diagnostic units that Bones used) are on their way to becoming reality. Research into body area networks (BAN) has shown promise (1) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in partnership with the Canadian government are funding the creation of a tricorder-like device (2). As well, the military has been testing devices that can help on the front lines (3).

    Then there’s the laser scalpel (4), in use today, and hypospray (5) which preceded the first Star Trek Series.

    What’s next? Even nanoprobes, those pesky submicroscopic robots that the Borg used effectively to assimilate many species, are showing promise in more effectively diagnosing breast cancer without biopsy (6).

    This shows some of the masterminds of science fiction are on to something. We can learn from out-of-the-box creative thinking, especially as we look to mobile health solutions and health information technology as a key component of improving health care delivery.

    1. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/wcn/2011/703239
    2. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017026649_tricorder16.html
    3.http://www.comstocksmag.com/Archive/0706_SR_Health-Care–Straight-Outta-Star-Trek.aspx
    4. http://www.scienceclarified.com/scitech/Lasers/Medical-Uses-of-Lasers.html
    5. http://www.treknews.net/2011/08/06/science-fiction-or-science-fact-medical-hyposprays
    6. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111028082715.htm

(6)


Comment Disclaimer: The purpose of this blog is to promote the discussion of science and medicine. This is a moderated blog. We expect that participants will treat each other with respect. All comments are reviewed before posting. We will not post anonymous comments or comments that contain vulgar language; personal attacks of any kind; or offensive terms that target specific ethnic, racial, religious, age or gender orientation groups. Comments that are spam, are clearly off topic, that make unsupported accusations or that promote services or products will not be posted. We do not post comments related to the performance or safety of specific medicines. If your post includes information about a possible side effect associated with a medication, we may be required to contact you for further information and report it to appropriate regulatory authorities. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of human drugs, medical devices, vaccines, and other biologics to FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you wish to report an adverse event regarding a Pfizer medicine, you may phone either of the following toll-free numbers:

FDA: 1-800-FDA-1088

Pfizer: 1-800-438-1985

  1. Vera Rulon

    Vera Rulon said:

    Thanks so much Ashesh. Seems there is a lot of interest in Star Trek’s link to innovative solutions in healthcare.

    This inspires me to do a follow up piece on additional innovations inspired by Star Trek. Stay tuned!

    on January 13, 2012 at 2:34 pm

  2. Ashesh Gandhi

    Ashesh Gandhi said:

    Awesome story Vera. I just read the following on BBC news – The Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize has challenged researchers to build a tool capable of capturing ‘key health metrics and diagnosing a set of 15 diseases,’” which “needs to be light enough for would-be Dr McCoys to carry — a maximum weight of 5lb (2.2kg).” The official Star Trek technical manual defines a tricorder as “a portable ‘sensing, computing and data communications device.’” The company hopes “the huge prize may inspire a present-day engineer to figure out the sci-fi gadget’s secret, and ‘make 23rd Century science fiction a 21st Century medical reality.’”

    on January 13, 2012 at 8:04 am

  3. Vera Rulon said:

    I had so much fun writing this piece.

    Yes, perhaps science does imitate art at times…. but both take vision, creativity, and innovation! Science, art, math are all not so far apart.

    on January 11, 2012 at 9:18 pm

  4. Dan Meyer said:

    It is interesting to note how Star Trek and other science fiction seem to foretell real advances in science. Clever authors, to be sure, but also a little of “Life imitates Art”.

    on January 11, 2012 at 4:21 pm

  5. Justine Estell said:

    What a fun read, Vera. Thanks for sharing and educating at the same time! :-)

    on January 5, 2012 at 6:32 pm

  6. Greg Bandru said:

    I am proud to say I worked on creating laser scapels oooh sooo long ago (though not the first by any means), as well as the laser system which drive them. As the reference article states many other uses for lasers in medicine have come about as well, though sadly, cost is till a factor in their use. Still great technology.

    on January 5, 2012 at 5:25 pm