This may not sound like a techy subject, but without computers and other technology, this would not have been possible.
The FDA has approved the use of a “fish skin” to facilitate healing of chronic wounds. Chronic wounds are different from “regular” wounds in the way they heal, and chronic wounds are often the direct result of diabetes or other circulatory issues. This fish skin is very similar to human skin. Unlike our skin, though, the fish skin contains Omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which helps promote wound healing, among other things.
Wound healing occurs in stages, and in chronic wounds, the process stalls. The fish skin, when transplanted to a chronic wound site, “kick starts” the process.
This should dramatically reduce amputations due to chronic wounds, but I’m also excited about the possibilities this will open up for treating other serious wounds and possibly surgical technologies.