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The Significant of Biomedical Engineering to Medical Field in Nigeria

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American Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering
2015; 1(2): 20-24
Published online April 20, 2015 (http://www.aascit.org/journal/ajbse)

The Significant of Biomedical

Engineering to Medical Field in
Nigeria
P. U. Okorie
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Email address
[email protected]

Citation
P. U. Okorie. The Significant of Biomedical Engineering to Medical Field in Nigeria. American
Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering. Vol. 1, No. 2, 2015, pp. 20-24.
Keywords Abstract
Biomaterial,
The biomedical engineering program is designed to integrate engineering and medical
Biomechanics,
research spanning from the mechanics of man made materials investigations using
Cardiovascular/Biofluid
engineering methods to explore fundamental physiological processes. Major emphasis of
Mechanics,
this program are in the areas of biomaterials, biomechanics, cardiovascular and biofluid
Bioinstrumentations,
mechanics, bioinstrumentation, the physical and mechanical behavior of tissues treated
Applies to Technical
on engineering materials, the body response to implant materials, and bioengineering
Innovations and Problem
analysis of physiological control of the heart, respiration, temperature regulation, and the
Solving in the Field of Medicine
pupil. Coupled with these emphases in a strong interest in the development man
evaluation of artificial organs and other implantable devices and finite element models.
Another area of interest is biomedical systems, including systems physiology and the use
of computers in health-care delivery.
Received: March 18, 2015
Revised: March 28, 2015
Accepted: March 29, 2015 1. Introduction
Preamble: the biomedical engineer as the nature is called involve in the engineering of
medicine. Therefore the biomedical engineers occupies a special role, having a back
ground in a branch of engineering, combined with a knowledge of the physical structure
and function of the human body systems and an understanding of how there were
engineering principles and methods can be applied to technical innovations and problem
solving in the field of medicine.
Having this in mind, we can further say what is all about the discipline, “biomedical
engineering science”. Biomedical engineering is a subject which covers all aspects of
engineering applied to medicine, ranging from walking aids and wheelchairs to the
complex instrumentation found in hospitals and research institutions.
Biomedical engineering (BME) can be defined as the application of engineering
principles and techniques to the medical field. It combines the designed and problem
solving skills of engineering with medical and biological sciences to improve health-care
diagnosis and treatment.
Biomedical engineering has only recently emerged as its own discipline, compared to
many other engineering fields, such as an evolution in common as new field transistions
from being an interdisciplinary specialization among already established field to being
considered a field in itself. During the last two decades its growth has paralleled that of
the electronic and computer industries. Its contributions to improved medical treatment
have resulted in a better quality of life and greater life expectancy in both the developed
and the developing countries[1].
The numbers of elderly and physically disable in our communities are consequently
growing at a rapid rate and this is placing an ever increasing demand on society to
American Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering
2015; 1(2): 20-24
Published online April 20, 2015 (http://www.aascit.org/journal/ajbse)

provide engineering technical solutions to help overcome biomechanics, biotransport, medical devices, and modeling
their physical limitations. of biological systems.
Recognizing the important changing emphasis in society’s Tissue Engineering - Tissue Engineering is a major
needs, the Nigerians Universities/research institutes should segment of Biotechnology.
mount and run program in biomedical engineering science One of the goals of tissue engineering is to create artificial
which specializes in the application of engineering to organs (via biological material) for patients that need organ
rehabilitation of the physically disabled rehabilitation transplants. Biomedical engineers are currently researching
engineering. methods of creating such organs. In one case bladders have
Much of the work in biomedical engineering consists of been grown in lab and transplanted successfully into patients.
research and development, spanning a broad array of Bioartificial organs, which utilize both synthetic and
subfields (see below). Problem biomedical engineering biological components, are also a focus area in research, such
application include the development of biocompatible, as with hepatic assist devices that utilize liver cells within an
prostheses, various diagnostic and therapeutic medical artificial bioreactor construct.
devices ranging from clinical equipment to micro-implants, Genetic Engineering - Genetic engineering, recombinant
common imaging equipment such as MRIs and EGGs, DNA technology, genetic modification/manipulation (GM)
biotechnologies such as regenerative tissues growth and and gene splicing are terms that apply to the direct
pharmaceutical drugs and biopharmaceuticals. manipulation of an organism's genes. Genetic engineering is
If this course is mounted, there should be close working different from traditional breeding, where the organism's
relationships between the department of biomedical genes are manipulated indirectly. Genetic engineering uses
engineering and the departments of orthopedic surgery, the techniques of molecular cloning and transformation to
internal medicine, dentistry and anesthesia and between alter the structure and characteristics of genes directly.
biomedical engineering and other engineering disciplines Genetic engineering techniques have found some successes
including electrical and computer engineering, chemical, in numerous applications. Some examples are in improving
civil/environmental and mechanical engineering. crop technology, the manufacture of synthetic human insulin
Sub Disciplines Within Biomedical Engineering through the use of modified bacteria, the manufacture of
Biomedical engineering is a highly interdisciplinary field, erythropoietin in hamster ovary cells, and the production of
influenced by (and overlapping with) various other new types of experimental mice such as the oncomouse
engineering and medical fields. This often happens with (cancer mouse) for research.
newer disciplines, as they gradually emerge in their own right Pharmaceutical Engineering - Pharmaceutical Engineering
after evolving from special applications of extant disciplines. is sometimes regarded as a branch of biomedical engineering,
Due to this diversity, it is typical for a biomedical engineer to and sometimes a branch of chemical engineering; in practice,
focus on a particular subfield or group of related subfields. it is very much a hybrid sub-discipline (as many BME fields
There are many different taxonomic breakdowns within BME, are). Aside from those pharmaceutical products directly
as well as varying views about how best to organize them incorporating biological agents or materials, even developing
and manage any internal overlap; the main U.S. organization chemical drugs is considered to require substantial BME
devoted to BME divides the major specialty areas as follows: knowledge due to the physiological interactions inherent to
• Bioinstrumentation such products' usage.
• Biomaterials Medical Devices - This is an extremely broad category
• Cellular, tissue, genetic engineering essentially covering all healthcare products that do not
• Medical imaging achieve their intended results through predominantly
• Orthopedic bioengineering chemical (e.g., pharmaceuticals) or biological (e.g., vaccines)
• Rehabilitation engineering means, and do not involve metabolism.
• System physiology A medical device is intended for use in:
Sometimes, disciplines within BME are classified by their • the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or
association(s) with other, more established engineering fields, • in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of
which can include: disease,
Chemical Engineering - often associated with biochemical, Some examples include pacemakers, infusion pumps, the
cellular, molecular and tissue engineering, biomaterials, and heart-lung machine, dialysis machines, artificial organs,
biotransport. implants, artificial limbs, corrective lenses, cochlear implants,
Electrical Engineering - often associated with bioelectrical ocular prosthetics, facial prosthetics, somatoprosthetics, and
and neural engineering, bioinstrumentation, biomedical dental implants.
imaging, and medical devices. This also tends to encompass Stereo lithography is a practical example of medical
Optics and Optical engineering - biomedical optics, imaging modeling being used to create physical objects. Beyond
and related medical devices. modeling organs and the human body, emerging engineering
Mechanical Engineering - often associated with techniques are also currently used in the research and
 American Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering 2015; 1(2): 20-24 22

development of new devices for innovative therapies, • Nuclear Medicine

treatments, patient monitoring, and early diagnosis of • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) PET scans PET-
complex diseases. Below figure 1, is a schematic biomedical CT scans
instrumentation amplifier used in monitoring low voltage • Projection Radiography such as X-rays and CT scans
biological signals, an example of a biomedical engineering • Tomography
application of electronic engineering to electrophysiology. • Ultrasound
• Electron Microscopy

3. Implants
An implant is a kind of medical device made to replace
and act as a missing biological structure (as compared with a
transplant, which indicates transplanted biomedical tissue).
The surface of implants that contact the body might be made
of a biomedical material such as titanium, silicone or apatite
depending on what is the most functional. In some cases
implants contain electronics e.g. artificial pacemaker and
cochlear implants. Some implants are bioactive, such as
subcutaneous drug delivery devices in the form of
implantable pills or drug-eluting stents.
Figure. Instrumentation Amplifier.
4. Clinical Engineering
The required voltage signal for medical device can be
obtain from the above amplification as express below. Clinical engineering is the branch of biomedical
engineering dealing with the actual implementation of
V1 = R2 eqv (I1 + I2 ) (1) medical equipment and technologies in hospitals or other
clinical settings. Major roles of clinical engineers include
V0 =I1 RSmin (2)
training and supervising biomedical equipment technicians
VOUT = I1R3 + V1 – V0 (3) (BMETs), selecting technological products/services and
logistically managing their implementation, working with
∴ VOUT = I1R2 + R2 eqv(I1 + I2) – I1RSmin (4) governmental regulators on inspections/audits, and serving as
technological consultants for other hospital staff (e.g.
VOUT = I1R3 + I I I (5) physicians, administrators, I.T., etc). Clinical engineers also
advise and collaborate with medical device producers
Many particular electrophysiological readings have regarding prospective design improvements based on clinical
specific names: experiences, as well as monitor the progression of the state-
• Electrocardiography – for the heart of-the-art so as to redirect procurement patterns accordingly.
• Electroencephalography – for the brain In their various roles, they form a “bridge” between the
• Electromyography – for the muscles primary designers and the end- users, by combining the
• Electroculography – for the eyes perspective of being both one.
• Electroretinography – for the retina
• Electroantennography – for olfactory receptor receptors Training and Certification
in arthropods. Biomedical Engineering is still yet to be embrace by the
universities in Nigeria. It is just recently that some of the
2. Medical Imaging universities has introduced biomedical engineering but at
every lower level. Seeing the important and the major roles
Medical/Biomedical Imaging is a major segment of play in the medical, pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, it is
Medical Devices. This area deals with enabling clinicians to encourage able to introduce this program or course in our
directly or indirectly "view" things not visible in plain sight university which has the man-power.
(such as due to their size, and/or location). This can involve
utilizing ultrasound, magnetism, UV, other radiology, and
other means. 5. Education
• Imaging technologies are often essential to medical Biomedical engineers require considerable knowledge of
diagnosis, and are typically the most complex both engineering and biology, and typically have a Masters
equipment found in a hospital including: (M.S., M.S.E., or M. Eng.) or a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in
• Fluoroscopy BME or another branch of engineering with considerable
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potential for BME overlap. As interest in BME is increasing,
23 P. U. Okorie: The Significant of Biomedical Engineering to Medical Field in Nigeria

many engineering colleges or faculties now do have a Education in BME also varies greatly around the world.
Biomedical Engineering Department or Program, which By virtue of its extensive biotechnology sector, its numerous
offers a program ranging from the undergraduate (B.S. or major universities, and relatively few internal barriers, the
B.S.E.) to the doctoral levels. As noted above, biomedical U.S. has progressed a great deal in its development of BME
engineering has only recently been emerging as its own education and training opportunities. Europe, which also has
discipline rather than a cross-disciplinary hybrid a large biotechnology sector and an impressive education
specialization of other disciplines; now, BME programs of system, has encountered trouble in creating uniform
study at all levels are becoming more widespread, including standards as the European and Brazilcommunity attempts to
the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering which supplant some of the national jurisdictional barriers that still
actually includes so much biological science content that exist. Recently, initiatives such as BIOMEDEA have sprung
many students use it as a "pre-med" major in preparation for up to develop BME-related education and professional
medical school. The number of biomedical engineers is standards.[6] [7] [8] Other countries, such as Australia, are
expected to rise as both a cause and effect of improvements recognizing and moving to correct deficiencies in their BME
in medical technology. education. Also, as high technology endeavors are usually
In the U.S., an increasing number of undergraduate marks of developed nations, [9]some areas of the world are
programs are also becoming recognized by ABET as prone to slower development in education, including in BME.
accredited bioengineering/biomedical engineering programs.
Over 40 programs are currently accredited by ABET.
As with many degrees, the reputation and ranking of a 6. The Ten Most Important
program may factor into the desirability of a degree holder Biomedical Engineering Devices
for either employment or graduate admission. The reputation
of many undergraduate degrees are also linked to the The most important biomedical engineering devices are
institution's graduate or research programs, which have some those that save the most lives and/or improve the lives of the
tangible factors for rating, such as research funding and most people [10].
volume, publications and citations. With BME specifically, (1) The X-ray machine images internal organs and thus
the ranking of a university's hospital and medical school can discovers internal abnormalities and tumors in time to
also be a significant factor in the perceived prestige of its remove them;
BME department/program. (2) Computed tomography generates slice images of
Graduate education is a particularly important aspect in internal organs with improved contrast and spatial resolution;
BME. While many engineering fields (such as mechanical or (3) Magnetic resonance imaging generates slice images of
electrical engineering) do not need graduate-level training to soft tissue and internal organs without radiation exposure;
obtain an entry-level job in their field, most BME positions (4) The heart-lung machine oxygenates and pumps the
do prefer or even require them. Since most BME-related blood to permit operations on the open heart to correct
professions involve scientific research, such as in abnormalities and to replace diseased valves;
pharmaceutical and medical device development, graduate (5) The artificial kidney extracts urea from the blood to
education is highly desirable (as undergraduate degrees extend the lives of those with end-stage kidney disease so
typically do not involve sufficient research training and that some have time to receive a kidney transplant;
experience). This can be either a Masters or Doctoral level (6) The electrosurgical unit makes tissue cutting easier to
degree; while in certain specialties a Ph.D. is notably more shorten surgical time and cauterizes tissue to prevent blood
common than in others, it is hardly ever the majority (except loss;
in academia). In fact, the perceived need for some kind of (7) The cardiac pacemaker stimulates the dysfunctional
graduate credential is so strong that some undergraduate heart and restores proper rhythm to many who otherwise
BME programs will actively discourage students from would be invalids or die;
majoring in BME without an expressed intention to also (8) The pulse oximeter noninvasively measures tissue
obtain a masters degree or apply to medical school oxygen saturation of anesthetized patients to ensure proper
afterwards. oxygenation and perfusion;
Graduate programs in BME, like in other scientific fields, (9) The ventilator permits operations on anesthetized
are highly varied, and particular programs may emphasize patients and breathes for patients who have pulmonary crises;
certain aspects within the field. They may also feature and
extensive collaborative efforts with programs in other fields (10) Artificial hips, knees and other joints restore
(such as the University's Medical School or other engineering movement to those with mobility problems.
divisions), owing again to the interdisciplinary nature of
BME. M.S. and Ph.D. programs will typically require 7. Conclusion
applicants to have an undergraduate degree in BME, or
another engineering discipline (plus certain life science The numbers of elderly and physical disabled in our
coursework), or life science (plus certain engineering communities are consequently growing at a rapid rate and
coursework). this is placing an ever increasing demand on society to
 American Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering 2015; 1(2): 20-24 24

provide engineering and technical solution to help overcome Program studyof Postgraduate course research work.
their physical limitations. [5] Lui Y. K., Parkaant J. B., and Clark C. R. Biomedical
Recognizing this important changing emphasis in society’s Properties of Bone Particle Impregnated PMMA Bone Cement
needs, the school, faculty or college of engineering in (material Area)
collaborations with other department in medicine to mount
[6] Magjarevic R, Lackovic I, Bliznakov Z and Pallikarakis N ;
and run BME as to offer a B. Eng, M. Eng to Ph. D level “Challenges of the biomedical engineering education in
course in biomedical engineering science, which will Europe”. Conf. Proc. IEEE Eng. Med Biol soc 2010;2959-62.
specializes in the application of engineering to rehabilitation
of the physically disabled – rehabilitation engineering. [7] Douglas TS; “Biomadical engineering education in
developing countries: research synthesis” Conf. Proc. IEEE
Eng. Med Biol. Soc. 2011; 3628-30.
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