POCKET-SIZE MEDICINE

MINIATURIZED DEVICES LET DOCTORS TAKE THE E.R. WITH THEM--AND MAY EVEN BRING BACK THE HOUSE CALL

Dr. Gresham Bayne practices medicine in some pretty unusual places. Just last month the San Diego physician was worshipping at the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church when a fellow parishioner collapsed in her pew. Rather than call 911 to rush the 96-year-old woman to the hospital, Bayne asked the ushers to take her to the church parlor. The doctor, who is something of a gadget freak, was equipped for any contingency. Stashed in his black bag--actually a blue-and-gray fishing-tackle box--was a miniaturized version of every diagnostic tool he needed to assess her symptoms, as well as a full supply of standard...

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