Definition

The term noninvasive can refer to diseases, procedures, or devices.

• Noninvasive diseases usually do not spread to or damage other organs and tissues.
• Noninvasive procedures do not involve tools that break the skin or physically enter the body. Examples include x-rays, a standard eye exam, CT scan, MRI, ECG, and Holter monitoring.
• Noninvasive devices include hearing aids, external splints, and casts.

Noninvasive is the opposite of invasive.

References

National Cancer Institute website. www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/noninvasive. Accessed March 15, 2023.