Review of physical diagnostic techniques in medicine and biology: technical progress and future requirements

The author aims to introduce the reader to the wide array of diagnostic devices, based on physical processes, and also to indicate aspects which require further technical development or even a new approach to design and construction. Technological progress has led to the availability in developed countries of many diagnostic techniques, e.g. X-ray and NMR imaging, positron emission imaging, thermography. The technical basis of a number of these methods is described with emphasis on the nature of the information which may be obtained. Some of these techniques do not involve any ionising radiation dose. This condition offers the possibility of repeated investigations of the same patient in order to follow the progress of disease and of treatment. It also suggests new possibilities for mass screening in order to detect people at risk. The need for low cost, robust devices is discussed with particular reference to the UK Health Service and the needs of developing countries