Biomedical engineers research and develop medical equipment, including prosthetic devices, artificial organs, and joint replacements. They improve the safety and efficiency of hospital equipment and work to overcome common patient problems. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required, and experienced engineers are in high demand due to the growing need for new medical equipment.
A biomedical engineer researches and develops new medical equipment, using his knowledge of biology, medicine, technology and mechanical engineering. He or she can create new prosthetic devices, artificial organs, or metal joint replacements for hips, shoulders, and knees. A biomedical engineer also improves the safety and efficiency of hospital equipment such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and x-ray machines.
Many biomedical engineers work for medical research and development institutions, studying existing medical technology and thinking of ways to improve it. An engineer can spend months researching a specific instrument, like an MRI machine, to learn about its complicated parts and processes. Then he or she devises a plan for how to make the machine safer, more effective, and easier to use. The biomedical engineer might draw up plans for a new machine and work with a team of technicians to design a prototype device. Once the prototype proves effective in multiple clinical and laboratory trials, it can be commercialized and implemented in medical facilities.
Advances in medical technology lead to the development of complex prosthetic organs and limbs, as well as appliances, wheelchairs and support systems. A biomedical engineer takes the most common problems that patients face, such as heart problems, and builds instruments that can be used to prevent or overcome their problems. The artificial heart, for example, was the product of years of intense biomedical research. It is now used around the world to help people overcome life-threatening heart conditions.
To become a biomedical engineer, a person is usually required to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, although many research and development institutions give preference to scientists with master’s or doctoral degrees. Undergraduate students are usually majors in mechanical engineering, although they take several classes in biology, chemistry, and medicine to supplement their engineering degrees. Many graduates take on internship positions at research facilities, where they learn firsthand about designing and implementing new devices. Some states and countries require new engineers to pass a licensing exam to conduct independent research and develop new products.
Experienced biological engineers are often in high demand to apply the latest technologies and principles to the creation of safe and effective medical devices. The growing population of elderly and injured veterans is creating an immediate need for new equipment, including prosthetic devices and wheelchairs. Qualified biomedical engineers ensure that people can live as comfortably and independently as possible by providing them with the latest medical technology.
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