Emerging Research and Future Directions in the BME Industry

New biomedical equipment development may not seem important to technologists but it should be something us BME’s should keep track of to allow us to get a better understanding of newly incoming devices. It is clear that as time moves on, technology continues to advance and exceed the public’s expectations but this builds the problem of what BME’s are supposed to do. Which brings up the question “what’s next?”. I will be briefly going over what new types of technology we can expect to see in the next upcoming years and what positive impact it can have in a healthcare setting so BME’s can have a heads up of what new work can be expected.

A popular new technological tool is Artificial Intelligence (AI) or more so Machine Learning (ML). Everyone knows that AI is a computer system or machine that is capable of performing complex tasks that normally only a human can do. AI was built to learn and gain further intelligence when exposed to knowledge from all around the world. Machine Learning is similar to this; ML is a computer programmed in such a way that allows it to learn and recognize patterns in order to predict imminent events. For example, AI or ML algorithms can analyze medical images that come from X-rays, CT’s, MRI’s and can detect abnormalities such as tumours, fractures, etc.) this can go even further into the BME category such as using ML algorithms for predictive maintenance to allow BME’s to accurately know when to perform maintenance on a piece of equipment.

Another piece of technology that is being discussed is nanotechnology. Articles show that researchers are attempting to use nanotechnology for targeting drug delivery as well as early detection of diseases. With the nanoparticles being so small it has the potential to deliver drugs directly to diseased cells therefore improving therapeutic efficacy. On top of that, critical treatments can be reduced thanks to the nanosensors that can detect biomarkers at very low concentrations, enabling early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer.

Next up, biomaterials and tissue engineering. A common problem for injured patients is being waitlisted for organs and more people continue to die everyday they are not given one in time. With new tissue engineering biomedical engineers are finding ways to create functional lab grown organs for patients so they no longer have to wait. This comes from advances in stem cell technology. In the past this has been able to treat conditions like spinal cord injuries, heart disease and so on. Additionally, biomedical engineers are attempting to use stem cell technology to grow full organs such as kidneys, lungs, heart, etc.) with the help of using patients’ DNA. Latest news shows that there have been lab grown blood transfusion tests showing positive feedback, perhaps only a matter of time until we start seeing artificial organ transplants.

In conclusion, although the research being done for all of these upcoming advancements int echnology don't necessarily relate to BME’s, it is important that we still make a second effort to keep up with newer technology. Doing the research and keeping up with biomedical engineering news will separate you from those who don’t.