Biomedical Engineering - Coursework Example

Literature review and analysis about Bio Medical Engineering Introduction Biomedical engineering is an interesting field that mainly deals with the application of science and engineering methodologies in the analysis of the psychological and biological matters as well as to the health care delivery. The discipline involves the development of the procedures and devices that handle problems that are related to health and medicine by bringing together their biological knowledge and medicine, and practices and principles of engineering. The biological engineer needs the analytical tools and extensive physical awareness of the latest science and engineering, essential comprehension of the physical or biological system, and familiarity with the latest developments in technology. Graduates in the field of biomedical engineering work together with the medical scientists in the development and evaluation of systems and products like prostheses; that is artificial devices, systems of medical information, instrumentation, management of health and systems of care delivery using their expertise in engineering to make new conditions for purposes like maximizing the performance of human beings, equipment and provision of diagnostic tools that are non-invasive (Diaz, p43). The academic experience is enriched via design courses where the students form teams to work together in the solving of problems related to biomedical engineering and interact with the area practicing medical practitioners via internship opportunities. For the students than intend to attend the schools of medicine, this course consists of some in the sciences that meet the requirements of entry of majority of the schools of medicine with the choice of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry 2 as technical electives (Diaz, p45). Nevertheless, according to the United States Department of Labor, we find that the number of jobs in the field of biomedical engineering rose by thirty one percent through the year 2010, which doubled the rate of growth of all the other jobs brought together and it three times the rate of other disciplines in engineering. Technology In the industry of biomedical equipment, scientific and engineering disciplines come together, which lead to innovations that are of great benefit to both the society and healthcare system (Biomedical Engineering Technology). In this industry, companies now have to meet the problem of offering a range of products that are of high quality. Consequently, there will be a significant need for professionals that are highly qualified. Biomedical engineering incorporates different principles such as electronics, medicine, biology, health, microcontroller and engineering in the medical equipment design and devices of health improvement. For one to qualify in the field, they must have a master’s or bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering (Best Jobs in America, 2013). The field of Biomedical Equipment Technology is majorly electromechanical and electronic in nature and is concerned with ‘hands-on’ experience where there is an extensive variety of medical devices and test equipment (Diaz, p49). Since much of this equipment border the body of human beings, the field is much diverse and covers many disciplines. An individual who works in the field is called BMET. This particularly skilled electronics technician specializes in the applications of medicine. The training of the technician has a stress in technology that applied in the field of health care. A BMET is very responsible for the regulation, testing, trouble-shooting and doing repairs to different complex equipment. They are employed within the field of health care by clinics, hospitals, manufacturers of equipment and schools of medicine (What do Biomedical Engineers do, 2012). This is a profession and field that involve several skills; it needs knowledge in electronics and the ability to test calibrate. The BMET best fit in the industry of health care, however, in the present day’s extensive demand for technicians that are better trained, the BMET is in a position of better competing in some other industries’ labor market (Diaz, p50). When an equipment is not working in a proper way, the first thing that a biomedical engineering technologist does is establishment of the problem if it is just a simple fault or as a result of an error by the user. For repairs that are more grave and time-consuming, they might be forced to take the device out of service so that there is more troubleshooting. These might include: Dismantling of the device Replacement or repair of the circuit boards or components Device calibration Offering advice to the management and staff of the hospital that it is important to replace old equipment In addition, biomedical engineering technologists might offer advice concerning equipment specifications together with the examination of the proposed equipment and designs of facility. When there is new arrival of new equipment or even the available equipment is upgraded, the biomedical engineering technologist might do the following: Do the installation of new parts or equipment, or even check for the purposes of making sure that the work done by others has been done in a proper way. Modification of equipment to meet the unique requirements or research or operation Offer training to the researchers and staff of the hospital regarding how the equipment is operated. Biomedical engineering is one of the fields that are effectively and speedily embracing technology as the world is experiencing serious technological developments. There are technological innovations every time in the field of medicine, which help in handling complicated cases regarding the treatment of patients. In fact, technology is becoming part and parcel of biomedical engineering because there are a lot of things in the field that require sophisticated machines to deal with effectively (Diaz, p53). Much of the work of the biomedical engineering technologists encompasses the examination of requirements after consulting with the administrators, other professionals, engineers and physicians. Wireless and computer technologies are considerable changing the biomedical equipment’s nature. For instance, machines of conducting x-ray are not able to capture pictures electronically and there is communication via wireless networks by the patient monitors (Zimmer, p67). In order to be up-to-date with the technological developments, the biomedical engineering technologists have to spend a substantial amount of time examining the technical manuals as well as attending training lessons offered by the manufacturers of the equipment. In some institutions, there is development and improvement of software to their feedback and requirements (Kvet and Karol, p40-49). The biomedical engineering technologists that work in the health care facilities might be required do their work in rotation shifts including holidays and weekends, or even are called at any time to attend to different emergencies (Zimmer, p70). The biomedical engineering technologists might be exposed to various diseases and should put on protective clothing like masks and rubber gloves in some surroundings. Nevertheless, working in the situations of emergency can always be stressful and these individuals might be injured or harmed in the process of attending to such situations. The biomedical engineering technologists that are employed by the manufacturers of equipment or even the service companies might be forces to do a substantial amount of moving from one place to another, and it is important that they be in a position of lifting up to twenty kilograms (Zimmer, p72). The various developments although, have not been completely benevolent, having considerable moral consequences, whether the cardiovascular help equipment for the maintenance of heartbeat or breathing, or transplant of organs in the terminally-sick people. The society is compelled to reexamine the meaning of terms like death, life quality, acts of mercy and heroic efforts, and take such issues into consideration as the right of the patient to turn down treatment and taking part in the tests. Consequently, these developments have added difficult moral dimensions of health care and have more disturbing moral dilemmas for the entire society (Zimmer, p76). Systems of health care usually rely on researchers to come up with improvements in patient treatment. Novel technology has extensive social effect and is setting the new standards of treatment. As a result, the society continually expects the moral responsibility of a researcher in the upholding of those morals that ensure proper moral standards. It is troubling that the health professionals in the field of biomedical engineering, as they represent novel medical advancement, had quite little contact with the legal and moral theory regarding the developments. Medicine Biomedical engineering and biomedical science have a common basis of knowledge in biology. In both fields, there is development of an intensive comprehension of the human body’s complexities. However, where the focus of biomedical science is on research or even preparation of candidates for the school of medicine and professions that have direct-patient care, we find that biomedical engineering deals with the identification of the areas where applications of engineering can be used in the creation of devices together with tools that improve the health of patients. The core of biomedical engineering is to combine a comprehension of the body of human being with the dynamics and principles of engineering to develop and design therapies, tools of diagnostic and devices for the improvement of quality of life and help in the bettering of the health of human beings. The body of human beings is an integrated, complete system. Using their understanding of how this system’s parts work together, biomedical engineers design and make the medical systems and instruments that improve the options of treatment for people that suffer from critical conditions or even serious sickness. The biomedical engineers have made radical medical innovations like artificial joints, prosthetic, dialysis machines, in vivo imaging and microscopic surgery (Examples and Explanations of BME, 2012). Biomedical or medical imaging is a major division of the medical devices. It is an area that is mainly concerned with making clinicians to be able to indirectly or directly see things not clear in clean sight, like as a result of their size or site. The human knowledge about the health and biological effects of the RF waves have been increased due to the slow rise in the mobile phone use and there are scientific debates and questions regarding the safety of the instruments (Fathi, and Raheleh, p1-4) . It can involve the use of magnetism, ultrasound, other radiology and some other means. The biomedical engineers their education with an all-inclusive comprehension of applications of both engineering and psychology. Biology, cellular and molecular biology courses in general offer students with an understanding of the body of human beings. The courses of engineering from various engineering disciplines like mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering give the students an introduction to the foundations of engineering together with their applications. Business Biomedical engineering is a profession with numerous business opportunity that rakes in a lot of money to the professionals in the field. The opportunities include employment by the various government agencies or even self-employment, as long as one gets some cash to sustain their livelihoods. Although it takes a lot of investment or resources for one to qualify in the field, its returns are worth it as it surpasses several other professions. Engineering courses from a range of engineering disciplines, including chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering, introduce students to the foundations of engineering and their applications (About Biomedical Engineering, 2014). Students graduate with a comprehensive knowledge of how engineering integrates with the biomedical sciences, enabling the development of a wide array of biomedical solutions. There are two types of doctors in the world; the first category is that of those who perceive it as a career that needs gallant commitment and those who view it as a job involving the prescription of medication. The first type is becoming very uncommon, dwindling species that work in the large public hospitals that mainly handle the needy and the poor. The salary that individuals in internship earn at the facilities makes a part time job at a bigger company lucrative and attractive. After a long period of educational slog, the resident medical doctors earn very less money monthly as compared to the fresh MBAs. Therefore, the noble career hangover is still a major motivator for the people that seek medicine careers. The biggest advantage of biomedical engineering is that one is still in a position of saving life without really being a medical doctor (Peter, p34). Good salary is just one source of satisfaction for the professionals in the field of biomedical engineering (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2014). Biomedical engineers are considered as the first on the list of jobs that pay the highest salary. The advantages include the chance of being in a position to choose the environment of work that one enjoys most, picking a good government department to work with, or even businesses, academia, hospitals or laboratories. One should not become bored, since the profession abounds in academic challenges. Although there may be a slow development or progress on a project, we find that teamwork and collaboration greatly add to job satisfaction. The eventual reward is when an effective design enables one to make an actual difference in the life quality and health of individuals. Works cited ‘About Biomedical Engineering,’ 2014, accessed http://www.embs.org/about-biomedical-engineering on April 19, 2014. ‘Best Jobs in America,’ Fortune, November 12, 2013, accessed on April 19, 2014. ‘Biomedical Engineering Technology.’ Accessed< http://www1.centennialcollege.ca/Programs/ProgramOverview.aspx?Program=3407> on April 21, 2014. ‘Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Biomedical Engineers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm, on April 18, 2014. ‘Examples and Explanations of BME,’ Biomedical Engineering Society, 2012, accessed on April 19, 2014 ‘What do Biomedical Engineers do?’ The Catholic University of America, December 11, 2012, accessed April 19, 2014. Diaz E (editor). Microbial Biodegradation: Genomics and Molecular Biology (1st ed.). Caister Academic Press. 2008. Print. Fathi, Ezzatollah, and Raheleh Farahzadi. "Interaction of Mobile Telephone Radiation with Biological Systems in Veterinary and Medicine." Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology 2.1 (2014): 1-4. Accessed < http://pubs.sciepub.com/jbet/2/1/1/index.html> on April 19, 2014. Kvet, Michal, and Karol Matiaško. "Brain Tumour Detection." Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology 1.3 (2013): 40-49, accesed < http://pubs.sciepub.com/jbet/1/3/3/index.html> on April 19, 2014. Peter Barrett . Science and Theology Since Copernicus: The Search for Understanding, p. 18, Continuum International Publishing Group. 2004. Print. Zimmer, Carl. Soul Made Flesh: The Discovery of the Brain – and How It Changed the World. New York: Free Press. 2004. Print. Read More