Biomedical engineers use engineering and scientific principles and techniques to solve medical and health-related problems in biology, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science.
Biomedical engineers design and develop medical instruments and devices such as heart-lung machines, iron lungs, artificial kidney machines, realistic artificial limbs and organs such as heart valves and hips, pacemakers and monitoring devices. They also adapt computers to be of service to medicine.
Research ranges from the study of the engineering aspects of human biological systems to the improvement of existing medical devices. They design and develop equipment for medical imaging to display anatomical detail or physiological function. They may arrange testing to ensure the continuing safety of electronic, electrical and mechanical equipment used for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients.
Some biomedical engineers advise and recommend the purchase of new equipment to administrators. They are also often involved with the training and supervision of technicians.
Biomedical engineers plan data processing services and the development of associated computing programs. They also analyze new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes. They diagnose and interpret bioelectric data using signal processing techniques and provide computer analyzes of patient-related data.
They are concerned with the safety and effectiveness of instruments and devices and also advise on patient management. Engineers in this field often consult their medical and paramedical colleagues to find solutions to problems in the treatment of patients. This leads to the design, construction and development of instruments and devices that may help to relieve suffering and improve the quality of the patient's life. They analyze and design prosthetic and orthotic devices particularly for those with disabilities.
Biomedical engineers must have a good theoretical and practical knowledge of engineering, a sound understanding of medical sciences and the ability to combine the two. They usually work in multidisciplinary teams with other professionals including nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists, other medical specialists, physiotherapists, and occupational and speech therapists.
Specializations include: