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Non-invasive (medical)




The term non-invasive in Medicine has two meanings:
  • A medical procedure which does not penetrate or break the Skin or a Body Cavity , i.e., it doesn't require an ( Invasive ) Incision into the body or the removal of Biological Tissue .

  • An abnormal tissue growth, such as a Neoplasm or Tumor , that doesn't spread (invades) to the surrounding healthy tissue.


Physicians have been using for centuries, of course, many simple non-invasive methods based on physical parameters in order to assess body function in health and disease ( Physical Examination and Inspection ), such as Pulse -taking, the Auscultation of Heart Sounds and Lung Sounds (using the Stethoscope ), Temperature Examination (using Thermometer s), Respiratory Examination , Peripheral Vascular Examination , Oral Examination , Abdominal Examination , external Percussion and Palpation , Blood Pressure measurement (using the Sphygmomanometer ), change in body volumes (using Plethysmograph ), Audiometry , Eye Examination and many others.

However, since the discovery of the first modern non-invasive techniques based on physical methods, Electrocardiography and X-rays , at the end of the 19th century, Medical Technology has advanced more and more towards non-invasive methods for Diagnosis and Therapy , such as:


DIAGNOSTIC IMAGES



A recent advance is the substitution of Invasive medical tests, such as Colonoscopy by Computer -based 3D reconstructions, such as Virtual Colonoscopy .


DIAGNOSTIC SIGNALS




THERAPY



In some cases, non-invasive methods will not work for the intended purpose, so medical technology has developed Minimally-invasive methods, such as hypodermic injection (using the Syringe ), Endoscopy , Percutaneous surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery , Coronary Catheterization , Angioplasty , Stereotactic Surgery and many others.

The benefits for the patient are self-evident.


REFERENCES


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