Adrian Johansen 01.07.22
The medical world is changing faster than many of us dare to realize or understand. Though it may not always seem like it at the local clinic, new technologies are being incorporated that stand to completely alter how we receive treatment. These advances are poised to lead to longer, healthier lives for those that see the benefits.
Arguably some of the most exciting medical technology advances are coming from the realm of biomedical engineering. Today, many of these professionals are testing tools in academic settings that — if proven effective — will change lives. The new technologies could impact every aspect of our medical lives from the way our bodies are analyzed for medical issues to the way major surgeries such as organ transplants are conducted.
The field of biomedical engineering is exploding with ideas and young professionals eager to implement them in a real-world setting. In fact, the field of biomedical engineering is one of the fastest-growing engineering fields out there. With all of this effort put towards improving medical outcomes using new tech — we really are on the cusp of something great.
There are several very real advantages to robotic surgery. With help from robotics, doctors can make more precise incisions and significantly reduce natural shakes and jitters while they are operating. Likewise, doctors can perform a higher number of minimally invasive surgeries. Minimally invasive essentially means smaller incisions, faster recovery time, and a lower risk of infection.
But we haven’t seen the end of what robotics in surgery has to offer yet — we are just scratching the surface of what is possible. Currently, biomedical engineers are working on robotic advances that might allow for telesurgeries to take place. This would essentially be where surgeons control robots from different medical facilities hundreds of miles away; the robots would mimic their precise movements via a high-speed internet connection.
Others are designing tissues that will help them study the impacts of certain diseases, health treatments, and lifestyle changes. For instance, researchers at Texas A&M used 3D printing to create a working model of blood vessels that can be used to study differences between healthy and diseased blood tissues. The model will help create a greater understanding of the oxygen delivery system and how it responds to certain medical treatments.
Although 3D printed blood vessel transplants are far from becoming a reality, you may be surprised to learn that some biomedical engineering technologies could be found in an urgent care facility near you, joining many other resources in these units. For instance, some medical researchers are developing new ways to complete X-rays which could ultimately lead to better diagnoses and treatment even in the most rural areas.
Virtual reality tools can be used to create more accurate images and models of a patient’s body before a surgical procedure. It may seem odd that having something like that is useful, but it can help doctors practice specific, complex procedures before working with the real thing. Again, this can help reduce surgery times, limit recovery needs, and decrease the risk of medical issues further down the road.
Many academic institutions are now working towards incorporating virtual reality into the training of all new medical professionals. In classrooms today, students may strap on a virtual reality headset to work through a medical procedure as a companion learning tool to working on a cadaver. VR headsets can also help students with some of the softer medical skills such as discussing difficult treatment options with family, understanding what it is like to be elderly, and working with upset patients.
The advances that are taking place in the world of biomedical engineering are impressive. More than that, many of them are set to have a direct impact on all of our lives whether that is through the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, improved X-ray technology, or simply by having a doctor that has been trained using virtual reality.
Adrian Johansen uses her experience in the healthcare technology industry to provide straightforward information to the public. You can find more of her writing on contently.
Arguably some of the most exciting medical technology advances are coming from the realm of biomedical engineering. Today, many of these professionals are testing tools in academic settings that — if proven effective — will change lives. The new technologies could impact every aspect of our medical lives from the way our bodies are analyzed for medical issues to the way major surgeries such as organ transplants are conducted.
The field of biomedical engineering is exploding with ideas and young professionals eager to implement them in a real-world setting. In fact, the field of biomedical engineering is one of the fastest-growing engineering fields out there. With all of this effort put towards improving medical outcomes using new tech — we really are on the cusp of something great.
Robotic Surgery
Perhaps one of the most familiar things that biomedical engineering is responsible for is the rise of robotics in surgery. Of course, surgical robots alone offer a lot of variety. For instance, some surgical robots are designed to help with surgery by holding tools in place, while others are nearly conducting routine surgeries without much help from the doctors in the room.There are several very real advantages to robotic surgery. With help from robotics, doctors can make more precise incisions and significantly reduce natural shakes and jitters while they are operating. Likewise, doctors can perform a higher number of minimally invasive surgeries. Minimally invasive essentially means smaller incisions, faster recovery time, and a lower risk of infection.
But we haven’t seen the end of what robotics in surgery has to offer yet — we are just scratching the surface of what is possible. Currently, biomedical engineers are working on robotic advances that might allow for telesurgeries to take place. This would essentially be where surgeons control robots from different medical facilities hundreds of miles away; the robots would mimic their precise movements via a high-speed internet connection.
Tissue Engineering
Another aspect of biomedical engineering that we occasionally hear about is incredible advances in tissue engineering. The development of 3D printers has been a profound boon for the biomedical engineering realm. Many experts are working diligently to produce working organs and other tissues that could be successfully transplanted.Others are designing tissues that will help them study the impacts of certain diseases, health treatments, and lifestyle changes. For instance, researchers at Texas A&M used 3D printing to create a working model of blood vessels that can be used to study differences between healthy and diseased blood tissues. The model will help create a greater understanding of the oxygen delivery system and how it responds to certain medical treatments.
Although 3D printed blood vessel transplants are far from becoming a reality, you may be surprised to learn that some biomedical engineering technologies could be found in an urgent care facility near you, joining many other resources in these units. For instance, some medical researchers are developing new ways to complete X-rays which could ultimately lead to better diagnoses and treatment even in the most rural areas.
Medical Virtual Reality
Another significant advancement in the realm of biomedical engineering comes in the form of artificial intelligence and virtual reality. It might come as somewhat of a surprise that a technological system best known in the gaming world could have applications in medicine, but here we are. Artificial intelligence can be used for all sorts of applications such as identifying and highlighting areas of concern in chest X-rays.Virtual reality tools can be used to create more accurate images and models of a patient’s body before a surgical procedure. It may seem odd that having something like that is useful, but it can help doctors practice specific, complex procedures before working with the real thing. Again, this can help reduce surgery times, limit recovery needs, and decrease the risk of medical issues further down the road.
Many academic institutions are now working towards incorporating virtual reality into the training of all new medical professionals. In classrooms today, students may strap on a virtual reality headset to work through a medical procedure as a companion learning tool to working on a cadaver. VR headsets can also help students with some of the softer medical skills such as discussing difficult treatment options with family, understanding what it is like to be elderly, and working with upset patients.
The advances that are taking place in the world of biomedical engineering are impressive. More than that, many of them are set to have a direct impact on all of our lives whether that is through the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, improved X-ray technology, or simply by having a doctor that has been trained using virtual reality.
Adrian Johansen uses her experience in the healthcare technology industry to provide straightforward information to the public. You can find more of her writing on contently.
