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Biomedical Engineering is the application of engineering principles and techniques to the medical field. It combines the design and problem solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to help improve patient health care and the quality of life of individuals. Is an established international discipline of engineering that is practised round the world in …
– hospitals
– healthcare facilities
– rehabilitation units
– research & manufacturing organisations
It is an exciting, comprehensive and developing field
where Professional Engineers, Technologists, & Associates combine a knowledge of …
– electronics,
– information technology,
– mechanical,
– chemical, and
– materials engineering with the life sciences including medicine, biology and molecular biology.
As a relatively new discipline, much of the work in biomedical engineering consists of research and development, covering an array of fields: bioinformatics, medical imaging, image processing, physiological signal processing, biomechanics, biomaterials and bioengineering, systems analysis, 3-D modeling, etc. Examples of concrete applications of biomedical engineering are the development and manufacture of biocompatible prostheses, medical devices, diagnostic devices and imaging equipment such as MRIs and EEGs, and pharmaceutical drugs.
Biomedical Engineers have been involved in work relating to the research and development of an artificial hand, the design of replacement joints, as well as the development of mobility and communication aids for the physically disabled. It is generally advised for a person who is likely to enjoy this type of work to embark upon a relatively straightforward degree in science and, where able, to choose course electives in human biology, anatomy, computing, electronics; to name just a few.
More specifically to become a Biomedical Engineer entry is normally via …
– an undergraduate degree in electronics or mechanical
engineering, or
– an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering, or
– a double degree in electronics or mechanical
engineering and biomedical engineering
• followed by
– Postgraduate training in Biomedical Engineering
(Masters degree or PhD)
• Life sciences training is essential
A slightly different path is involved with becoming a Biomedical Engineering Technician. Biomedical Electronics Technicians typically have the Associate Diploma, Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Electronics or Electrical Engineering. Biomedical Electronics Technicians in hospitals are normally classified as Technical Officers or Senior Technical Officers. Biomedical Mechanical Technicians often have Trades qualifications as Tool Makers, Fitters, Machinists, or
similar.
Biomedical Engineers - what do they do? The following task lists will give you a bit of an idea....
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Technology assessment services &
procurement
• Routine maintenance
• Breakdown maintenance
• Design & development
• Clinical services
• Educational services
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT SERVICES & PROCUREMENT
• Needs analysis
• Technology
assessment
• Product evaluation
• Tendering
• Specifications
• Evaluation
• Purchasing
• Commissioning
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
• Acceptance testing
• Maintenance
planning
• Risk analysis
• In-service testing to
Australian standards
• Routine calibration
and preventative
maintenance
BREAKDOWN MAINTENANCE
• Equipment management
systems
• Organisation of service
contracts
• Repairs
• Monitoring of service contracts
• Maintaining inventory of spare
parts
DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
• Research and design
• Project construction
• Modification of existing
equipment
• Software development
• Networking
CLINICAL SERVICES
• Attendance at clinical
procedures
• General clinical support
• Research
projects/programmes
• Scientific articles
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
• In-service lectures to
clinical staff on
– Technical topics
– Clinical measurement
• Work experience
placements for students
• Industrial training
placements
• Final year projects &
supervision |
