Introduction to biomedical instrumentation

Biomedical instrumentation focuses on the development of methods and devices for the treatment of diseases. It is an emerging field of biomedical engineering that bridges the gap between medicine and engineering. Biomedical instrumentation was introduced during the Apollo missions when it became a necessity to measure the vital signs of astronauts. During and after the Apollo mission, biomedical engineers extended the knowledge from the Apollo mission to the research and development of more sophisticated medical equipment that are now used today. Examples include diagnostic equipment (medical imaging devices), durable medical equipment (insulin pumps and kidney machines), therapeutic equipment (infusion pumps, medical lasers, and surgical machines), life support equipment (heart-lung machines, dialysis machine, and incubator), and medical laboratory equipment (chemistry analyzer, blood gas analyzers, electrolyte analyzers, etc.). The application of these devices opens a new phase in the medical industry. Now you can have patients with terminal diseases living longer than usual. This research also extends to the field of artificial organs where vital organs, including the liver, kidneys, and heart, are designed and developed. This present opportunity allows for the effective management of diseases and disorders.