Research Assessment #4

Date: ​October 18, 2018

Subject:​​ Advances in Biomedical Engineering

MLA Citation:​​ “Video: Advances in Biomedical Engineering.” ​Engineering in Medicine and Biology
Society,​
www.embs.org/about-biomedical-engineering/our-physician-members/advances-in-biomedical-e
ngineering/.

Analysis:
On the outside, Biomedical Engineering seems as though it is made up of biology and
engineering. However, when looked at more closely, Biomedical Engineering consists of chemistry,
neurology, genetics, physics, and so many more areas of study. This video delves into the specifics,
and discusses the many responsibilities and areas of study within Biomedical Engineering, which
are often overlooked.
The first topic that is discussed in the video is neural engineering. The purpose of the
research surrounding neural engineering is to be able to have paralyzed patients be able to move
their limbs. One example of this implementation is the equipment of the late Stephen Hawking. If
he needed to express an idea his thoughts could be conveyed through his communication aid. The
video explains that the electro sensors are placed on the scalp, and detect electrical signals
generated by the brain. This technology is used primarily is upper limb prosthetics. If the amputee
imagines picking up an object, this technology activates the motor cortex. This, in turn, fires up a
particular nerve, which moves the corresponding limb.
Next, the video discussed Biorobotics and Rehabilitation Engineering, as well as Gait
Analysis. Much of the research is done in the fields of wireless sensors and robotics for Biorobotics
and Rehabilitation Engineering. There are many questions and voids in this area. For example,
according to the video, around 50% of people who do prosthetic rehabilitation do not improve, and
the reason is unknown. Researchers and developers are working to understand this issue. This
leads into another question, of whether interaction with a robotic device aids people with rehab. If
they do, it will mainly assist people who have survived strokes and traumatic brain injury.
 Furthermore, Tissue Engineering has been developing rapidly in the past few decades. As
more was researched and discovered about genetics, and as Genetic Engineering became a branch
of its own, Tissue Engineering has overlapped between Biomedical Engineering and Genetic
Engineering. Tissue Engineering is used to make various tissues and organs, new spinal chords,
vocal chords, intestine, and heart tissue. Since part Biomedical Engineering is creating artificial
limbs and organs, it falls under BME, but it also uses similar principles as in Genetic Engineering.
The last two points conversed involved the visible heart laboratory, and collaboration with
physicians. The work of the researchers and engineers in the visible heart laboratory consists of the
study of the electrical characteristics of the skeletal and respiratory systems. They are reanimating
human hearts, making them more accessible for heart (and other organ) transplants. In addition to
the engineering prospect of all of this, there is also a great deal of biology and physical therapy
involved. Physicians play a huge role in prosthetic rehabilitation, as they evaluate the patients and
bring back the data and issues to the engineers, who then correct them. It is a loop which continues
to improve and develop the field of Biomedical Engineering.
(Article on pg. 3)