A Brief Look into Biomedical Engineering

Author: Shreyansh Shrivastava

The present era is of breakthrough medical advancements. Medical sector has been working closely with the engineering sector to evolve a new type of practice that helps the medical science practitioners to find the quick and abrupt medicinal solutions. The ratio of medical practitioners to the patients around the world is too low to cater the health-related needs of the people. The technical advancements in medical sciences have proved to be magical to deliver efficient and speedy delivery.

Role of Engineering in Medical Science:

The application of engineering designs and principles to the medical sciences for the healthcare purpose has evolved to a considerable level. The integration of engineering, biology, and medicine is known as Biomedical Engineering. The healthcare professionals like physicians, therapists, etc seek the assistance of Biomedical Engineers in solving the problems associated with healthcare.

Scope of Biomedical Engineering in India:

Biomedical Engineering has become an integral part of medical practice and the students with the biology background have a good scope in providing the technical solutions to the medical practitioners. Nowadays, the biomedical engineers along with the medical practitioners develop advanced medical devices, medical techniques, and instruments for the manufacturing companies. The students who opt for Biomedical Engineering have an interfacing background of engineering and biology. Many institutions in India offer an engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering. Some top engineering colleges that offer B.Tech degree in Biomedical Engineering are-

  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)- BHU

  • Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)- Vellore

  • Manipal University, Manipal

  • National Institute of Technology, Rourkela

  • National Institute of Technology, Raipur

Biomedical Engineering in Industrial Sector:

There is a common notion among the students that a Biomedical Engineer has only scope in working with the Hospitals. Yes, there is a wide scope for Biomedical Engineers to work with hospitals and clinics to support and maintain the technical support required for modern medicine and for the testing and maintenance of modern medical equipment. But, there is also an other side of the story which manifests a decent scope for Biomedical Engineers in private industries also. In India there some private companies like L&T, General Electric, Stryker Global Technology, Deloitte which hires Biomedical Engineers.

Biomedical Engineering Research:

After graduating with the Biomedical Engineering degree, the students can also go to the research and development in Biomedical Engineering. There is a vast scope of research in Biomedical Engineering in India. There are many institutions in India that offer postgraduate and doctoral degree in the field of Biomedical Engineering. Recently, IIT-Madras has also started to offer a dual degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Some of the Biomedical Engineering Research Centers are-

  • General Electric Global Research, Bangalore

  • Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore

  • Centre for Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering (BSBE), Indore

  • Department of Biological Science and Bioengineering, IIT-Kanpur

  • Centre for Biomedical Engineering, IIT Delhi

Biomedical Engineering has a good scope in the developed nations like USA, UK. The students can also opt to take opportunities in foreign countries. Biomedical Engineering is a growing field and as the days will pass the scope of this stream will keep on increasing.