The field of biomedical engineering focuses on the innovation that pertains to promoting human health. It incorporates various aspects from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and other physical sciences. It also delves into software engineering for advanced technologies that require proprietary software. In the broadest sense, a biomedical engineer analyzes and comes up with solutions that address some needs in biology and medicine whereby it is heavily reliant on technology.
One aspect of medicine where technology plays a major role in its procedure is – surgery. A biomedical engineer helps make surgeries safer in ways such as:
1. Maintains Equipment
Biomedical engineers do not only maintain equipment used for medical purposes, but they can also install, repair, and evaluate its performance. Surgeries require the utmost precision from its professionals and equipment, so machines used for procedures must be running in top shape. Also, as part of the industry’s requirement to keep hospitals and healthcare facilities abreast with the current standards, biomedical engineers are brought in to examine facilities and perform maintenance.
These engineers routinely evaluate diagnostic, monitoring, and other devices that pertain to surgery, among others. They file reports on their tests and draft recommendations if there’s a need for improvement or repair in any of its equipment or systems. They also provide technical support for these machines whenever it’s needed.
2. Prepares Procedure Guidelines for Machines
The proper use of the machine and devices in an operating room could mean life and death for the patient on the table. Biomedical engineers provide procedural guidelines on the equipment. They also provide technical reports on the improvements and other changes in the system which helps surgeons perform better on operations and would keep a higher level of safety for their patients.
3. Trains Personnel On Machine Usage
Getting the proper training for clinicians and medical professionals who will use the machines is one of the most important roles of biomedical engineers. One part of a spine surgery course is to be familiarized with the different surgical devices needed to help the patient. The endoscopic procedure helps patients suffering from chronic pain, and are becoming dependent on painkillers. Surgeries such as these are very delicate and would require precise equipment to make them successful and safe.
4. Design Systems and Devices
Surgery procedures are constantly evolving and part of it is due to the advancement of technology and our knowledge in medicine. Biomedical engineers are part of those who are leading the charge in developing better systems and machines to make certain procedures safer and more effective.
They design products, circuitry, systems, and software that supplement surgical procedures in post-op. This can be in a form of artificial body parts or help in the rehabilitative procedures needed for the recovery after major surgery.
Bioinstrumentation, which is a focus on biomedical engineering, tackles the use and development of electronics, computer science, and mechanical principles that help in the diagnosis and treatment of health problems.
Biomedical Engineers have become an integral part of medicine vis-a-vis to the betterment of healthcare. In today’s world where technology has ingrained itself into the most vital aspects of our life, the need of medical professionals with a precise skill-set demand for their safety. We will see how this field will expand its role in medicine and how it’ll help make surgeries a lot more safe and effective.