History, Practice, and Ethics of Medical Technology – Key Vocabulary

A comprehensive vocabulary set covering historical figures, inventions, legislation, professional roles, technological advances, and ethical concepts that shape the field of Medical Technology from ancient diagnostics to modern laboratory science.

Hippocrates

Greek physician (c. 460–370 BC) regarded as the “father of medicine”; promoted clinical observation, four-humor theory, and the tasting/inspection of urine.

Hippocratic Oath

Ethical pledge attributed to Hippocrates, traditionally sworn by physicians to uphold professional standards and patient welfare.

Galen

Greek physician-philosopher (130–210 AD) who expanded humoral theory, described diabetes as “diarrhea of urine,” and linked fluid intake to urine volume.

Four Humors

Ancient concept that blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile govern health; imbalance believed to cause disease.

Uroscopy (Water Casting)

Medieval diagnostic practice of visually examining a patient’s urine; physicians who ignored it risked punishment.

Spirometer

Device invented by John Hutchinson (1840s) to measure lung vital capacity.

Sphygmomanometer

Blood-pressure measuring instrument created by Jules Hèrisson (mid-1800s).

Specialization (Medicine)

Shift from general practice to focused disciplines driven by complex technology and expanding knowledge.

Stethoscope

Acoustic instrument, invented by René Laennec in 1816, for auscultating heart and lung sounds.

Ophthalmoscope

Visual instrument devised by Hermann von Helmholtz (1850) for examining the interior of the eye.

Microscope

Optical instrument refined for medical use; first practical model credited to Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (17th century).

Laryngoscope

Instrument created by Manuel Garcia (1855) using mirrors to visualize the larynx.

X-ray

Imaging technique discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895; allows internal visualization without surgery.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

U.S. agency that began regulating clinical laboratories in the mid-1900s to standardize diagnostics.

Cardiac Catheterization

Procedure first performed by Werner Forssmann (1929) and later refined by Moniz and Cournand to visualize heart chambers and vessels.

Angiography

Radiographic imaging of blood vessels after injection of contrast dye; evolved from early catheterization work.

Electrocardiograph (ECG)

Machine developed by Willem Einthoven (1903) to record the heart’s electrical activity.

Drinker Respirator

‘Iron lung’ negative-pressure ventilator invented by Philip Drinker (1927) for poliomyelitis patients.

Kenny Method

Physical-therapy approach (hot packs, muscle manipulation) for polio devised by Elizabeth Kenny (1927).

Heart-Lung Machine

Cardiopulmonary bypass device enabling open-heart surgery; milestone in surgical technology.

Electron Microscope

High-resolution imaging device (1930s) that visualizes viruses and cellular ultrastructure.

Tomography

Imaging technique producing cross-sectional body slices; precursor to CT scans.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Non-ionizing imaging method using magnetic fields to produce high-contrast soft-tissue images.

Prosthesis

Artificial replacement for a body part, e.g., heart valves, blood vessels, or joint implants.

Robotics in Medicine

Use of computer-controlled instruments to perform precise surgical or diagnostic tasks.

Telemedicine

Delivery of healthcare services via information technologies across distance.

Genetic Engineering

Manipulation of an organism’s DNA to alter traits for therapy, screening, or research.

Medical Technology (Profession)

Health discipline focused on laboratory examination of specimens to aid diagnosis and treatment.

Republic Act 5527

Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969 defining the practice, licensure, and regulation of medical technologists.

William Pepper Laboratory

First U.S. clinical laboratory (1895) at the University of Pennsylvania emphasizing service-oriented diagnostics.

John Kolmer

U.S. physician who, in 1918, advocated national certification and formal training for medical technologists.

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Professional body founded in 1922 to foster cooperation between pathologists and laboratory professionals and establish ethics.

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)

Organization representing non-physician clinical laboratory scientists, originally a subgroup of ASCP.

Bureau of Government Laboratories (Philippines)

Established 1901; precursor to Bureau of Science, equipped for microbiology and vaccine production.

Paul Freer

First director of the Philippine Bureau of Government Laboratories; modernized its biological wing.

Antonio Luna

Filipino chemist and war hero who pioneered water testing and forensics in the Laboratorio Municipal de Manila (1887).

Manila Public Health Laboratory

First Philippine clinical laboratory, set up by the U.S. Army’s 6th Infantry Division during WWII (Quiricada St.).

Pio de Roda

Filipino doctor who reopened the Manila Public Health Laboratory (1945) and started MT training programs.

Prudencia Sta. Ana

Co-organizer of the first structured medical technology training syllabus in the Philippines.

Manila Sanitarium and Hospital (MSH)

Site of the first Philippine School of Medical Technology (1954) led by Mrs. Willa Hedrick.

Philippine Union College (PUC)

Now Adventist University of the Philippines; absorbed MSH’s MT school and produced first graduate Jesse Umali.

University of Santo Tomas (UST)

Oldest Philippine university, began offering Medical Technology as an elective (1957) and full program (1961).

Edward Jenner

Physician who introduced smallpox vaccination (1796); foundational to immunology.

Agostino Bassi

Scientist who proved microorganisms cause disease in silkworms (1835), initiating bacteriology.

Marie François Xavier Bichat

French anatomist who classified organs by tissue types, advancing histology.

Louis Pasteur

French chemist-biologist who developed rabies vaccine and germ theory validations.

Gregor Mendel

Augustinian monk whose pea-plant experiments (1866) founded genetics and laws of inheritance.

Robert Koch

German physician who identified anthrax and tuberculosis bacilli; proposed postulates linking microbes to disease.

Ernst von Bergmann

Surgeon who introduced steam sterilization (asepsis) into operating theaters (1886).

August von Wassermann

Developed complement-fixation test for syphilis (1906).

Joseph Lister

Pioneer of antiseptic surgery demonstrating airborne organisms cause infection.

Elie Metchnikoff

Zoologist who discovered phagocytosis and cellular immune response.

Karl Landsteiner

Pathologist who discovered ABO blood group system (1900/1901).

Howard Ricketts

Identified rickettsiae, microorganisms intermediate between bacteria and viruses.

Hans Fischer

Elucidated hemoglobin structure; Nobel Prize 1930.

Jonas Salk

American physician who developed the inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (1954).

James Westgard

Clinical chemist who introduced statistical “Westgard Rules” for laboratory quality control (1973).

Baruch Samuel Blumberg

Discovered Hepatitis B virus and developed HBV vaccine (1980).

Kary Mullis

Biochemist who invented Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 1985.

Andre van Steirteghem

Embryologist who introduced intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI/IVF) in 1992.

James Thomson

Scientist who derived first human embryonic stem-cell line (1998).

Medical Technologist

Licensed professional who performs laboratory tests on human specimens to aid diagnosis and treatment.

Pathologist

Physician specialized in laboratory medicine and microscopic study of tissues; heads the clinical laboratory.

Medical Laboratory Technician

Certified professional who assists medical technologists and pathologists; may qualify via exam or experience.

Phlebotomist

Healthcare worker trained to collect blood specimens by skin puncture, venipuncture, or arterial puncture.

Cytotechnologist

Specialist who examines cell samples microscopically to detect abnormalities, often aiding early cancer diagnosis.

Histotechnologist

Laboratory professional who processes and stains tissue sections for microscopic evaluation by a pathologist.

Nuclear Medical Technologist

Technologist who administers radiopharmaceuticals and operates imaging equipment to perform nuclear medicine studies.

Toxicologist

Scientist who studies effects of chemicals on living organisms for safety, forensic, or regulatory purposes.

Accuracy (Laboratory)

Closeness of a test result to the true value.

Precision (Laboratory)

Reproducibility or consistency of repeated measurements.

Quality Control (QC)

System of procedures to ensure reliability and validity of laboratory test results.

STAT

Medical notation indicating a test or action must be performed immediately.

PAMET

Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, national organization advocating MT professionals.

PASMETH

Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology & Public Health; coordinates MT education standards.

Republic Act 4688

Philippine Clinical Laboratory Act of 1966 regulating establishment and operation of clinical labs.

Republic Act 1517

Philippine Blood Banking Law of 1956 governing blood bank practices.

Republic Act 7719

“National Blood Services Act of 1994” promoting voluntary blood donation and regulating blood services.

Ethical Relativism

School of ethics holding that moral standards are culture-dependent and no absolute morality exists.

Ethical Pragmatism

Philosophy (Peirce, James) emphasizing practical consequences and experiential truth in ethical decisions.

Ethical Utilitarianism

Theory (Bentham, Mill) where right actions maximize happiness and minimize suffering for the greatest number.

Abortion

Termination of pregnancy; illegal in the Philippines under Article II, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution.

Euthanasia

Intentional ending of a life to relieve suffering; may be voluntary, non-voluntary, or involuntary.

Genetic Screening

Testing individuals or embryos for specific genetic disorders or carrier states.

Genetic Intervention

Active manipulation (therapy or surgery) to correct or modify genes responsible for disease.

Stem-Cell Therapy

Use of undifferentiated cells to regenerate or repair damaged tissues; ethical debate centers on cell sources.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Assisted reproduction technique where egg and sperm are fertilized outside the body in a laboratory.

Professional Ethics

Set of moral principles governing behavior and decision-making within a profession.

Confidentiality (Healthcare)

Obligation to keep patient information private unless consent for disclosure is given.

Code of Ethics for Medical Technologists

Formal pledge outlining professional responsibilities such as honesty, accuracy, confidentiality, and lawful practice.

Medical Technology Oath

Declaration sworn by MT graduates affirming commitment to ethical and competent laboratory practice.

Clinical Laboratory Act (U.S.)

Legislative framework (e.g., CLIA) ensuring quality standards in American diagnostic laboratories.

Information Technology in Medicine

Use of computers and data systems to manage health records, laboratory information, and diagnostic imaging.

Special Procedures (Lab)

Advanced diagnostic tests such as molecular assays, nuclear medicine studies, and automated analytics.