Presents four true stories about people who have overcome extreme medical problems, including the Mohamed and Ahmed Ibrahim, twins joined at the head who were successfully separated in 2003, and Christopher Reeve, the actor who regained some motor and sensory function five years after an accident left him a quadriplegic.

"Introduces the reader to the science of medical technology."--

"This book covers the full range of available imaging modalities and optical methods used to help evaluate material and biological behavior. It also highlights a wide range of optical and biological applications. Each chapter in the text describes a specific application and discusses relevant instrumentation, governing physical principles, data processing procedures, as well as advantages and disadvantages of each modality. Following a broad introduction...

Surveys the history of medicine by introducing many of its "firsts:" the first abdominal surgery, the first woman doctor, the first antiseptic.