Converging technologies

Figure 4.1 illustrates how technological innovation beyond the traditional domain of healthcare shapes the biosciences.² Let’s look at some of these diverse technologies in greater detail.

Figure 4.1 Bio-driven convergence

Telemedicine

Fast computers, abundant data storage capacity, and digital communications networks that can carry large amounts of data with high fidelity were originally developed for computing and data-intensive applications such as the Internet. However, these technologies are now used to transmit medical records and images from digital radiology and tissue pathology. Telemedicine enables remote assessment of patient data when the patient cannot visit a diagnostic facility nearby or when radiologists want to extend their expert reach. Sometimes more advanced or lower-cost expertise is located halfway around the world in countries such as India and Australia.