Embedded medical and biological application refers to using technology and computers for observing certain events or generating a response when certain events occur. Embedded points to the fact that such devices are either small or very passive or both, such that the subjects of the observations are not continuously aware of it.
Embedded Applications in Medicine
Many embedded applications were found for medical purposes, and more are on the way. Embedded medical applications were found to have been very effective in monitoring and observing patients using computers and communication protocols like the internet. This observation method and monitoring offered many advantages to medical practitioners, such as observing and monitoring in real-time and observing normal conditions remotely. Embedded applications are designed to be as unobtrusive and inconspicuous as possible, so they do not intrude even as they monitor and track patients’ health stats.
Embedded applications are now used quite heavily with patients who have psychological or mental conditions. These unobtrusive embedded applications allow doctors and medical practitioners to keep an eye on their patient even as they eliminate the need for the physical presence of either for observation and monitoring purposes. These embedded applications also allow medical practitioners to give their patients feedback, such as touch or sounds, to stimulate a response.
Embedded Applications in Biology
Embedded applications are also heavily used in biology – particularly zoology – for the same reasons as those cited above. The technology used in embedded applications in biology is almost always miniaturized to make them compatible with small animals like birds and insects and to pose as little a hindrance as possible to the animal’s regular activities. Embedded applications used in biology are also designed to use as little energy as possible, if at all, and are usually passive devices.
Developments in computing technology have helped miniaturize devices to such an extent that they are both small and energy-efficient. Cameras and transponders are common components of embedded applications in biology.
Embedded applications have proven valuable in studying animals’ behaviour because they provide a method for researchers to monitor their subjects remotely. The embedded applications leave the animal (or subject) unfettered while it provides valuable data to the researchers; such data collected by embedded electronics devices are then stored in the device’s internal memory or transmitted using a predetermined communication protocol.