Regarded that we are in the period of 1930-40, can we believe our heart which is the main organ in our body that circulates blood through veins and arteries can be replaced by a heart that is artificially made? Further, a question arises whether this concept is engineering or it is related to medical science? Now in our generation, a new term “BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING” has emerged.
The difference between biology and biomedical engineering is that the first term expresses the biological consequences and also represents the body system but engineering helps to implement the researches for the betterment of humanity. Furthermore, it collaborates to innovate machine tools for the development of medical science as well as the engineering sectors.
As the name implies biomedical, it sounds that this sector is completely biology-based but interestingly most of our predictions are almost in vain. Rather biomedical engineers have to be good at computer-based programming, computer-aided designs. Besides they have to gain the basic knowledge of electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, math, physics, and so on. Most of the sectors of biomedical engineering are engrossing and innovative.
The term ARTIFICIAL LIMBS implies that designing a structure to be much similar to a usual human being. Further, it represents a mechanical structure to maintain the best quality of life. Then when the designed structure is connected with the human body electrically with some modification, the structure does a similar movement on the reaction of the electrical impulse from the human body. On the contrary, when it is fixed with the human body the coating encourages the bone to grow onto the rod. Another innovative sector of BME is to compose a hybridized biomaterials. These are so-called biomaterials because these materials have the characteristics to make sure temporary support, can dissolve on the uniform condition, and so on.
The most expensive sectors in BME is designing and printing 3D organs. These are made by layer by layer of biomaterials and transplants into the human body with complex modification. Pacemaker, defibrillator these tools related to produce or detect electrical signals in the heart. Neuro Engineering is a basic part of BME. Some diseases like Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy can be reduced or minimized by adding electrical stimulation in the brain. Now in the term of subject point of view tissue engineering, biomechanics, bio instrumentation come to the front.
Biomechanics is affiliated with mechanical engineering which is vastly related to design a structure by using the knowledge of math and physics, material selection. Bioinstrumentation is affiliated with the concepts of electrical engineering, circuit manipulation, computer programming, and electrical instruments.
Finally, tissue engineering helps to combine all these processes and make a structure that is most likely human body-friendly. Many international universities are offering degrees in biomedical engineering for the improvement of this sector. As innovative thinking is appreciated in this stage of the world BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING is absolutely huge platform that connects the human body with machine tools. MD. SHAHRIAR MOHTASIM Mechanical Engineer, RUET