The worlds of medicine and engineering have helped humanity in countless ways over the generations. Combining these two world to create biomedical engineering helps to provide a new level of innovation where devices or processes are created to improve the overall quality of health care that can be provided. From pharmaceuticals to the design and manufacture of medical supplies or equipment, biomedical engineering is a vast field of industry that has many interesting facts to consider.
1. Biomedical engineers created the first bionic arm.
A medical breakthrough occurred in 1993 when the first bionic arm was created through the process of biomedical engineering. This arm contained a number of motors, pulleys, and electronic equipment that would allow users to actually grip items because artificial fingers were available. By 1998, people were able to use these devices thanks to brain impulses that could be translated into movement inputs.
2. Artificial organs are the result of biomedical engineering.
There are a number of artificial organs that are available today that are a direct result of this field of research. People are able to survive with artificial hearts and kidneys that are implanted. Hearing aids have helped millions be able to continue hearing as they get older. Pacemakers help to keep heart rates regulated. Life spans are being increased thanks to the amazing inventions that are coming from this field.
3. Corrective surgery equipment and procedures are part of this field as well.
If you’ve got poor eyesight, have you ever been tempted to get laser eye surgery to correct the issue? If you have, then you’ve considered using an invention that came from biomedical engineering. Computer systems that help doctors to analyze disease functions and even automated insulin pumps are all part of this field as well.
4. There’s an amazing future in this field.
Biomedical engineers today are taking on a lot of important projects. One of the most promising is the development of a process of regeneration for spinal discs. As people get older, gravity compresses the spine and the shock absorbing features of a spinal disc begins to wear out. By injecting liquids into the disc space that turns into a gel-like cushion, biomedical engineers have been able to relieve pain by supporting and simulating a healthy spinal disc.
5. It’s more of a woman’s game.
Biomedical engineering today has one of the highest percentages of female students in any engineering field. It’s always been this way as well. This field isn’t something that is new. Inventions like the x-ray machine came from biomedical engineering as well. About 1 in every 3 students that is studying to become a biomedical engineer today is a woman and many programs offer joint bachelor’s and master’s programs to further encourage women to pursue doctorate degrees.
The world would be a very different place without biomedical engineering. As these interesting facts show, it has literally transformed how we all think of medicine today.