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Medical technology

1 Answer the questions.

1 The affix tele- means 'distant'. What do you think these terms mean?

a telemedicine b telecare с telesurgery

2. What sort of technology would be needed for each of the services described by these terms?

3. Who might benefit from these services?

2 Read the text and check your answers.

^Telemedicine

Telemedicine is the application of Information Technology to medical care. It's about providing medical support at a distance to people who have no access to a doctor Using the Internet, satellite phones, video links, and digital cameras, patients, nurses, doctors, and others can obtain specialist help quickly.

If passengers fall ill on an aircraft in flight cabin crew can use a device called Vital signs to measure blood pressure and other important signs. The data can then be transmitted to a doctor to interpret and provide advice on treatment. Medical images, such as X-rays or ultrasound scans, can be taken in one country and sent by broadband to a specialist in another for expert advice. Using a video link, nurses in a minor injuries clinic can call a specialist to examine difficult cases remotely. This is much cheaper than having a specialist available in the clinic.

Telecare is a way of looking after vulnerable people such as old people at a distance. Sensors in their homes can detect falls, lack of activity, or even if food is removed from the refrigerator Lack of movement triggers an alarm which alerts medical staff or relatives. Patients can wear monitors for recording the pulse and other signs.This can be sent via the telephone system to medical staff without the patient leaving home.

Telesurgery was used in 2001 to allow a surgeon in New York to operate on a patient in France.The operation was carried out using a high-speed computer link and robotic tools in the French operating theatre. At this stage, such procedures are expensive and a local surgeon has to be present in case the network link fails. In the future, however telesurgery could be a life-saver for people living, working, or travelling remote from medical help.

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Personal entertainment

1. What advice would you give to someone making a digital video movie for the first time?

2. Compare your advice with the tips given in the text.

3. Study these explanations for some of the tips given. Match each explanation to the correct tip.

a Professionals make limited use of these kinds of shots.

b When you start filming you won't have to worry about where to shoot next.

с They have to catch your attention and make their message clear in a very short time.

d It's quality, not quantity that counts.

e Unsteady or jerky shots can look amateur.

f If the unexpected happens on the day of filming - problems with the technology, weather, or the actors - you still have time get it right.

g Wind or street noise can ruin your film.

h You won't lose time, or worse, make serious technical mistakes and ruin good shots.

Tips for making a digital video movie

Digital video cameras a long with software such as Apple's iMovie allow anyone to make home movies. You can add video and audio effects and publish your films on websites and blogs.You can produce video podcasts for others to share. However, having the right equipment doesn't guarantee quality.Thesetips might help:

1. Prepare your storyboard well in advance.

2. Allow plenty of time for filming.

3. Make a shooting schedule listing each location and the time for filming.

4. Find quiet locations and check them before you start filming.

5. Use TV adverts for good ideas.

6. Keep your film short.

7. Make sure you are familiar with all your camera controls.

8. Use a tripod to ensure your camera is steady.

9 Don't overuse zoom shots.

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Careers in technology

1. What questions would you ask someone with the job title of Technical Installation Engineer!

2. Read the answers to the questions the interviewer asked Ron Martinez, a Technical Installation Engineer. Correct your answers to 1 if necessary.

3. Now match these questions to the answers and put them in a logical order.

a What's the worst thing about the job?

b What does your work involve?

с How long have you worked there?

d What advice would you give students entering your profession?

e Why did you choose this job?

f What's the best thing about the job?

g What's the biggest challenge of your job?

h What's the salary like?

1 - The pay's not bad and there are opportunities for overtime if you want.

2 - Planning the job, especially in older buildings. It's important to work out the best routes for the pipes, ducts, and cables involved as this can affect the cost of the work considerably.

3 - I like being out and about, not stuck in an office, and this job involves a lot of travelling. I also like the contact with customers.

4- work for a company which installs central heating and air-conditioning systems. We do everything: planning, installing, testing, and commissioning.

5-Get the highest qualifications you can when you're at college. It's better to do it at that stage in life than try to catch up later. Keep up your professional training when you're in the job. Move to a company large enough to offer good promotion prospects.

6- When you switch on and it all works perfectly.

7 - Working in confined spaces, for example under floors or in

roof spaces where there isn't a lot of headroom.

8- Five years.

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