Envisioning the future

Abstract

There are many circumstances when doctors caring for critically ill patients would like to be able to see inside them without moving them from their beds. Currently, despite the huge advances that have taken place in imaging techniques over the past 25 years, it is still necessary to take patients to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised X-ray tomography scanners. Obtaining the images is lengthy, too, which is dangerous for critically ill patients. If such devices could be miniaturised for use on the wards, the benefits would be enormous.