IKON
Perhaps the best way to understand Biomedical engineering (BME) is to give examples. An external pacemaker was designed and built by the Canadian electrical engineer John Hopps in 1950 based upon observations by cardio-thoracic surgeon Wilfred Gordon Bigelow at Toronto General Hospital .
The 1960s invention of the blood glucose machine brought significant improvements to the treatment of diabetic patients. Two men, Anton Hubert Clemens, the inventor, and Richard K. Bernstein, the first home user, changed the paradigm of insulin management.
In 1905, Nikolai Korotkoff observed that the arteries made sounds when the inflatable cuff was being tightened and loosened and developed a way to interpret the sounds. He developed the auscultatory method to measure diastolic blood pressure and added the final refinement to measuring blood pressure.
A council member from the University of Utah says, “Although the national economy is troubled, the vast majority of our students are achieving positions in industry.” Career counselors at other universities agree. A spokesperson at Bucknell Universityadds, “Our alumni are obtaining employment in a very wide range of industries: medical device, health information systems, chemical engineering manufacturing, finance and business.
What is the job all about?
Biomedical engineers typically do the following:
Design equipment and devices, such as artificial internal organs, replacements for body parts, and machines for diagnosing medical problems
Install, adjust, maintain, repair, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment
Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment
Train clinicians and other personnel on the proper use of equipment
Work with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists to research the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals
Prepare procedures, write technical reports, publish research papers, and make recommendations based on their research findings
Present research findings to scientists, nonscientist executives, clinicians, hospital management, engineers, other colleagues, and the public
The following are examples of specialty areas within the field of biomedical engineering:
Bioinstrumentation uses electronics, computer science, and measurement principles to develop devices used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Biomaterials is the study of naturally occurring or laboratory-designed materials that are used in medical devices or as implantation materials.
Biomechanics involves the study of mechanics, such as thermodynamics, to solve biological or medical problems.
Clinical engineering applies medical technology to optimize healthcare delivery.
Rehabilitation engineering is the study of engineering and computer science to develop devices that assist individuals with physical and cognitive impairments.
Systems physiology uses engineering tools to understand how systems within living organisms, from bacteria to humans, function and respond to changes in their environment.
Some people with training in biomedical engineering become professors.
What is the job all about?
These Engineers design and construct cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, artificial kidneys, blood oxygenators, hearts, blood vessels, joints, arms and legs. They also design computer systems to monitor the patients during surgery or intensive care or to monitor health of persons in unusual environment in space or underwater divers at great depth.
They design instruments and devices for therapeutic uses such as laser systems for eye surgery or a device for automated delivery of insulin.They develop strategies for clinical decision-making based on expert systems and artificial intelligence such as computer based system for selecting seat cushions for paralyzed patients or for managing the care of patients with severe burns or for diagnosing diseases.
Can I go for it?
There is an aura of excitement in applying advanced technology to the complex problems of medical and healthcare. Students would need to be strong in Engineering as also understand a lot about Medicine. So, you will have to be strong in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
This program (BME) is inter-disciplinary. Biomedical engineers are concerned with the application of engineering concepts and analytical techniques to biological and medical problems. They may be called upon to design instruments and devices, to bring together Research from several sources and develop new procedures, methods. The course curriculum in Biomedical Engineering is clinical engineering, tissue and genetic engineering, bio-mechanics, medical imaging, rehabilitation engineering, system physiology, bio-mechanics, bio-materials, etc.
Is there a future in this Career?
If we consider the progress made in Medical Science over the last 50 years we know the huge number of people that have benefited. Computer and Telecom Engineering are constantly evolving and we know how doctors in one Hospital get assistance from doctors from another Hospital in India or abroad, when there is critical medical procedure to be done. e.g. Key-hole surgeries, etc.
Dr. Abdul Kalam tells of how happy he was when he and his team of Scientists made the 300 grams calipers from a very light material called carbon-carbon (earlier used for Ballistic Missiles) The Polio affected children who were dragging their feet with calipers weighing 3 Kgs on each leg now could walk smoothly with just 300 gms instead of 3 Kgs on each leg.
Where to Begin?
In Goa
After 10 + 2 in Goa in PCMB you will need to go outside Goa for further studies
Outside Goa
1. Kle Society College of Engineering & Technology, Belgaum
2. B. R, Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, (University of Delhi)
3. All India Institute of Medical Studies, New Delhi: (online entrance exam) www.aiims.edu.
4. Banaras Hindu University Institute of Technology,Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh itbhu.ac.in
5. Jadavpur University. jadavpur.edu
6. Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering, Vile Parle(West), Mumbai, www.djscoe.org
7. Mahatma Gandhi Mission’s College,Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, mgmmumbai.ac.in
8. Watumal Institute Watumal Institute of Electronics Engineering & Computer Technology, Worli, Mumbai, www.watumull.edu
9. Jadavpur University, Kolkata
10. Anna University, Chennai(Syllabus)
12. National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur
13. Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi
14. Birla Institute of Technology, Sindri, Jharkhand
15. National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar
16. Y. Patil College of Engineering, Pune
Employment Avenues:
Companies involved in developing products are always looking for bright young engineers. e.g.http://jobs.gecareers.com/go/Jobs-in-India/236666/
Monies:
Potential is plenty for those who have an innovative mind and are enterprising. Rs. 30,000/- p.m. initially, this can go into a few lakhs per month, if you can show results.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/