Examples of Biomedical Electronics Innovations, Use

Creating biomedical electronics requires expertise in science and electrical engineering. The manifestation of electronics in support of medicine can be seen daily in hospitals through the use of computerized tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging and electrocardiograms. Biomedical electronic projects also are leading to inventions that not only can improve diagnostic testing but the quality of human life as well.

Biomedical Monitoring System

• Discover Projects in Maharashtra, India, has created a diagnostic monitoring system that combines data taken from vital testing. The monitoring system comes with software that can be uploaded to a computer. It replaces the need for blood pressure machines, electrocardiogram machines and body thermometers. It works by attaching sensors to a body. These sensors use sensitive radio frequency transmitters that automatically detect body temperature, breathing rate and electrical activity within the heart. Once connected to a computer, the machine uploads the information for evaluation.

Robotic-Assisted Surgery

• Intuitive Surgical of Sunnyvale, Calif., is a leader in robotic-assisted surgery. Intuitive Surgical's Food and Drug Administration-approved robots allow surgeons to work without having direct contact with a patient. The robots have arms with cameras, or endoscopes. These arms have flexible wrists that provide motion and dexterity surpassing what can be done with the human hand. The movement of the endoscopes is controlled by a surgeon at a console. Cables in the endoscopic wrists allow surgeons to perform tasks such as tissue dissection and suturing. The robot has been used to perform surgeries including hysterectomies, nephrectomies, laryngeal resections, mitral valve repairs, oral cavity resections and gastric bypass.

Mind-controlled Prosthetics

• In May 2010, BBC News reported the creation and use of a mind-controlled prosthetic limb for a young Austrian man who lost his arms after an electrocution. The manufacturer, Otto Bock Healthcare, engineered the project and instructed surgeons to put nerves that once controlled his arms into his chest muscles. Brain signals reach the nerves before they can be exercised by the muscles to execute movements. Otto Bock Healthcare's prosthetic arm was equipped with electrodes that could be attached to the chest to pick up on the man's thoughts to move. Real-time response to his thoughts allowed his prosthetic arms to be used as if they were natural. The surgery has allowed the man to return to work and live independently.