Recent trends in biomedical engineering

       Biomedical engineering is a relatively new and exciting branch of the life sciences that has the potential to transform healthcare paving the way for further technological developments in prosthetics, surgical devices, diagnostics, imaging methods and much, much more. Bridging the gap biological science, medicine and engineering, the interdisciplinary field of biomedical engineering is changing the way we interact with the world. From prosthetic limbs to medicine delivery technology, the pioneering research of biomedical engineer is shaking the foundations of traditional healthcare to its very core.

       Biomedical engineering combine the design and problem solving skills of engineering with medical biological sciences in order to improve healthcare treatment including diagnosis, monitoring and therapy and help people to live longer, better quality lives. The miniaturasation of tech has also been a major breakthrough: facilitating the development of more advanced wearable technologies, microneedles for drug-delivery systems and sensors for brain-controlled prosthetics.

 

             In the 2018, the European Parliament Interest Group (EPIG) met in Brussels to discuss the future of biomedical engineering. During the meeting, they outlined their intensions to see biomedical engineering recognized as an independent profession by 2020, which is especially important given that maintenance of machine in hospitals is essential for patient care, For people working as biomedical engineers, there's never been a better time to be in the workforce.

        While healthcare organizations and institutions and institutions are warming to the widespread implementation of biomedical technology, researchers are guiding us through previously uncharted waters. Whether or not the technologies produced by biomedical engineers user in a prosperous age of posthumanism or plunge us towards a 1984 style system of surgical surveillance remains merely speculative. For the foreseeable future, one thing's for sure: the fourth industrial revolution is in full swing, and it show no signs of letting up.

  In this article, we look at four major trends in biomedical engineering that are making waves in the world of science.

              * Wearable devices and implantable technologies

              * Nanorobotics

              * Brain computer interfaces (BCIs)

              * 3D bioprinting

 

    1.Wearable devices and implantable technologies

           Of all the major trends in biomedical engineering, the proliferation of wearable health devices (WHDs) and implantable technologies is arguably one of the most visibly disruptive to the healthcare sector.

       These medical devices range from Fitbit, a direct-to-consumer fitness wearable that tracks weight and body fat percentage, to Medtronic's Insertable Cardiac monitor, along term implant just under the skin that provides patients (and their GPs) with real time updates on heart rhythm and respiratory problems.

      The personalized, real-time element to such devices enables GPs to detect symptoms more quickly, aiding early diagnosis. By being able to monitor their patients remotely, GPs can save time and money by reducing unnecessary face-to-face consultations. GPs are also able to use real data gleaned from these devices to optimize treatment  and tailor it towards the individual.

      While the healthcare wearable sector is estimated to be worth $60 billion by 2023, the use of implantables remains controversial largely fuelled by fears they can cause infection or that microchip technology will be leveraged for surveillance.

 2.Nanorobotics

       Nanorobotics is an emerging field of technology  that involves creating tiny surgical robots whose components are roughly the size of a nanometre. With their microscopic size, these burgeoning technologies will enables scientists to manipulate biological matter at an atomic or molecular level with seismic implications for our ability to effectively fight diseases.

        In surgery, medical nanobots will be introduced into the body in a minimally invasive way via the vascular system or other cavities. Programmed or directed by a human surgeon, they would perform crucial functions such as searching for pathogens. Because nanobots are capable of recording vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure, it's thought this technique will enable doctors to diagnose, test and monitor microorganisms, tissues and cells in the blood stream.

3.Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs)

        Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are devices that enables signals from the brain to direct external  activity, such as moving a cursor or prosthetic limb. BCIs work by measuring the brain's electrical activity using a monitoring method called electroencephalography (EEG), which involves placing electrodes on the scalp surface. For individuals who have experienced a debilitating loss of motor control, the pursuit of this assistive technology by researches offers a crucial ray of hope.

 

      Though brain-to-computer technology may sound futuristic, the first human to be successfully implanted with a BCI was back in 2004, when a quadriplegic named Matthew Nagle received a device called Brain Gate that allowed him to move a cursor across a screen.

      Since that momentous moment, the capabilities of modern BCIs have advanced to such an extent that a number of ethical questions have been raised, ranging from privacy to loss of humanity. For example, if a BCI device misreads an invasive thought and executes a harmful action even if the user didn't intend to fully through with the action how much responsibility can we ascribe to the user?

      Thankfully, scientists are tackling these moral quandaries head on. In 2019, scientists developed the first ever non-invasive brain-computer interface, which will benefit the lives of paralyzed patients and others with movement disorders. While BCIs are not particularly reliable in their current form, the ongoing work of biomedical engineers is helping to improve accuracy and safeguard the wellbeing of users.

 4.3D bioprinting

      3D bioprinting describe the use of 3D printing techniques to combine cells, growth factors (protein or hormones) and biomaterials to create biomedical parts that precisely imitate natural tissue characteristics. This technology utilizes a layer-by-layer method to deposit materials called bio-inks and creates tissue like structures that can later be used in the fields of medical and tissue engineering.

    3D bioprinting's potentials is enormous. In the near future, doctors may have the ability to print artificial skin cells for wound victims. Following on from the lead of the Israeli team's achievements, surgeons may one day even have the ability to bio-print replacement organs something that, once implemented at scale, may eliminate the need for risky organ transplants altogether.