Topic Summaries

Medical technology in the modern era

GCSE > History > AQA > GCSE History: Medicine and Health in Britain (1000-Present) Topic Summaries > Modern medicine > Medical technology in the modern era
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Summary table
Technology Date Uses
Radiotherapy Early 1900s Using targeted X-rays and gamma rays to kill cancer cells (following the discovery of radiation by Marie Curie, Pierre Curie, and Henri Becquerel). Radiation can be delivered externally or internally (brachytherapy).
Chemotherapy 1940s Anti-cancer drugs (e.g. nitrogen mustard) circulate in the bloodstream to target rapidly dividing cells and disrupt cell division, slowing or shrinking tumours.
Dialysis and artificial kidneys 1945 An external machine pumps a patient’s blood through a machine that diffuses waste products and excess fluid before returning the cleansed blood to the body.
Endoscopy 1950s Flexible fibre-optic cameras inserted into the body for internal imaging and minimally invasive procedures.
Pacemakers 1952 A device implanted under the skin sends electrical impulses to regulate the heartbeat when the heart’s natural rhythm is too slow or irregular.
Transplants 1954 A failing organ is replaced with a compatible donor one. Immunosuppressant drugs prevent rejection.
Ultrasounds 1956 High-frequency sound waves create echoes that translate to non-invasive medical imaging.
CT scans 1971 More advanced form of x-rays used to find tumours with computer-rendered cross-sections of the body.
MRI scans 1973 Uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to measure atoms in the body and convert them into highly detailed images of soft tissues.
Insulin pumps 1978 Delivers controlled doses of insulin through a catheter into the body, helping people with diabetes maintain stable blood glucose levels without frequent injections.
Keyhole surgery 1980s Surgeons use long instruments and a camera inserted through a small incision, reducing trauma and recovery time.
Functional MRI (fMRI) 1990s Measures changes in blood flow and oxygen use to map brain activity during tasks, rather than just anatomy.
Laser surgery 1990s Focused beams of light cut tissue with high precision, used in eye surgery, dermatology, and tumour removal.
3D printing 2000s 3D printers use bio-ink to construct tissue scaffolds or organ structures to reduce the need for donor organs.

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