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Bio-Medical Engineering
I am in second year of Bio-Medical Engineering. Could you please tell me something about a career in blomedical engineering? I am afraid I don’t know much about the future of this field.
Biomedical Science/Technology is an interdisciplinary field that bridges life sciences and engineering. The course includes study of biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, biotech, principles of design, materials science, biomechanics and life sciences.
A Bio-engineer or a Biomedical Engineer as he or she is sometimes called, applies mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and evaluation of biological and health systems and products: instrumentation, diagnostic aids, life-support systems, implants, artificial organs, prosthetic and orthotic devices, health management and healthcare delivery systems and medical information systems.
For instance, lakhs of knees and hips are replaced in India alone each year. Bio-medical engineers are needed to develop longer-lasting and better functioning artificial joints. To take another example, Heisenberg used the metal used as a technological device at ISRO to develop the stent, which has proved to be a boon for heart patients, apart from reducing the cost of surgery from Rs 80,000 to Rs 1,00,000.
Some of the well-established areas of specialisation within biomedical engineering are bio-instrumentation, bio-mechanics, bio-materials, systems physiology, clinical engineering and rehabilitation engineering.
The biomedical engineer should, first and foremost, be a good engineer. Beyond this, you should have working knowledge of life science systems and terminology. Good communication skills are a must.
Presently, opportunities for biomedical engineers lie essentially in the field of research and development. The R&D departments of pharmaceutical industries, keen to upgrade the quality of their products, would be another option.
You can also opt for pure research in institutes like the Department of Biotechnology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Development of Education, Science &Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, besides several other agricultural, medical equipment manufacturers and horticultural institutions. Bio-medical engineers are also employed in hospitals, teaching faculties and government regulatory agencies. In the hospital, the bio-medical engineer may advice on the selection and use of medical equipment besides supervising their performance, testing and maintenance. Some of them are technical advisors for marketing department of companies.