By combining biology and medicine with engineering, biomedical
engineers develop devices and procedures that solve medical and
health-related problems. Many do research, along with life scientists,
chemists, and medical scientists, to develop and evaluate systems and
products for use in the fields of biology and health, such as
artificial organs, prostheses (artificial devices that replace missing
body parts), instrumentation, medical information systems, and health
management and care delivery systems. (See
biological scientists,
medical scientists, and
chemists and materials scientists elsewhere in the
Handbook.)
Biomedical engineers design devices used in various medical procedures,
such as the computers used to analyze blood or the laser systems used
in corrective eye surgery. They develop artificial organs, imaging
systems such as magnetic resonance, ultrasound, and x-ray, and devices
for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions. Most
engineers in this specialty require a sound background in one of the
basic engineering specialties, such as mechanical or electronics
engineering, in addition to specialized biomedical training. Some
specialties within biomedical engineering include biomaterials,
biomechanics, medical imaging, rehabilitation engineering, and
orthopedic engineering.
Unlike many other engineering specialties, a graduate degree is recommended or required for many entry-level jobs.
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