Why is Biomedical Engineering Important?
“During the latter half of this century, there has been a revolution in the biological sciences. Biology has truly come of age, achieving an importance equal to that of physics and chemistry. In a sense, biology has become too important to be left to the biologists. This should be taken by the biologists as the compliment it is intended to be, for their achievements have opened up a whole new world for others. Thus, a key challenge facing the engineering profession today is how to respond to the biological revolution, how to make the engineering contributions necessary for the Biotech Century to achieve the potential that exists. These biology-based engineers, or bioengineers, should be able to solve problems in unique ways. Because of their knowledge of biology, they will be able to identify new opportunities for the application of engineering and for commercial development. Because of their knowledge of engineering, they will bring innovative approaches to solving problems in biology and medicine.” - Robert Nerem [1]
Biology has made many significant strides in the field that have ultimately paved the way for the emergence of biomedical engineering and provided the framework that biomedical engineering sits on today. As a result, biomedical engineering essentially asks the question, “How can we apply this to better human health?” Biomedical engineering seeks to be the real-world application of these biological discoveries. Through discoveries in cellular biology, tissue engineering and artificial organ synthesis have become a reality. Through advancements in genetics, genetic engineering has advanced to the point where we can map complete genomic sequences and alter the very building blocks that organisms exist on all for the goal of improving and building on ways to improve and better societies standards of living. Biomedical engineering seeks
to push science, in general, to new boundaries by setting new goals and adding
on to the questions that can be asked following new discoveries and
inventions. There is always room for improvement
and efficiency, and biomedical engineering tries to push the boundaries of the
medical field in order to ensure that society, as a whole, can give and receive
the best healthcare we can in order to advance into a more prosperous age.
Biomedical engineering, although in its infancy, has already given the world a glimpse of the vast potential it has to revolutionize the world with its applications. According to J.G Webster, founding pioneer of biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering has already provided the world with what are considered to be the most important medical devices currently used today:
· X-ray machine: images internal organs helps diagnose patients
· Computed tomography: slice images of internal organs
· Magnetic resonance imaging: generates slice images of soft tissue and internal organs w/o radiation exposure
· The artificial kidney: extracts urea from the blood to extend the lives of those with end renal disease
· The electrosurgical unit: makes tissue cutting easier to shorten surgical time and helps prevent greater blood loss
· The pulse oximeter: measure tissue-oxygen saturation and perfusion
· The ventilator: permits operations on anesthetized patients and breathes for patients with pulmonary crises
· Artificial replacements: hips, knees, and other joints to restore movement
[2]
These devices have undoubtedly helped save the lives of numerous people. Although taken for granted, these machines have assisted doctors world-wide in diagnosing and curing people of their ailments with efficiency and accuracy more so than any other devices. Millions of people owe their lives to machines that had been envisioned, designed, and built by biomedical engineers.
Biomedical engineering is an important field of study that has the ability and potential to revolutionize the medical world and improve human health with unique approach to medical problems.
[ESM, 622]
Biomedical engineering, although in its infancy, has already given the world a glimpse of the vast potential it has to revolutionize the world with its applications. According to J.G Webster, founding pioneer of biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering has already provided the world with what are considered to be the most important medical devices currently used today:
· X-ray machine: images internal organs helps diagnose patients
· Computed tomography: slice images of internal organs
· Magnetic resonance imaging: generates slice images of soft tissue and internal organs w/o radiation exposure
· The artificial kidney: extracts urea from the blood to extend the lives of those with end renal disease
· The electrosurgical unit: makes tissue cutting easier to shorten surgical time and helps prevent greater blood loss
· The pulse oximeter: measure tissue-oxygen saturation and perfusion
· The ventilator: permits operations on anesthetized patients and breathes for patients with pulmonary crises
· Artificial replacements: hips, knees, and other joints to restore movement
[2]
These devices have undoubtedly helped save the lives of numerous people. Although taken for granted, these machines have assisted doctors world-wide in diagnosing and curing people of their ailments with efficiency and accuracy more so than any other devices. Millions of people owe their lives to machines that had been envisioned, designed, and built by biomedical engineers.
Biomedical engineering is an important field of study that has the ability and potential to revolutionize the medical world and improve human health with unique approach to medical problems.
[ESM, 622]
1. Image. http://techdegreelink.com/studying-biomedical-engineering#formPage_1