E-Paper
Healing tech
Biomedical engineering is the study and application of engineering principles and techniques to the medical field. It is concerned with the development and manufacture of prostheses, medical devices, diagnostic devices, drugs and other therapies.
The lowdown
Biomedical engineering is the study and application of engineering principles and techniques to the medical field. It is concerned with the development and manufacture of prostheses, medical devices, diagnostic devices, drugs and other therapies. This field encompasses bio-instrumentation, bio-materials, bio-mechanics, medical imaging, genetic engineering, cellular and tissue engineering. Biomedical engineers have to be experts in engineering, biological and medical sciences. They can also design and develop devices and systems ranging from cardiac monitors to clinical computers
Clockwork
9am: Report for work
9.30am: Check MRI scanner for glitches
10.30am: Call manufacturer to discuss the problem
11am: Hospital rounds
1pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Discuss MRI scanner problem with the technician sent by manufacturer
3.30pm: Meeting senior doctors to discuss new equipment
4pm: Visit factory on the city outskirts to check new equipment
8pm: Leave for home
The payoff
The salary structure depends on the designation, in general, a biomedical engineer’s annual income ranges from Rs2 lakh to Rs2.5 lakh a year. Promotions depend on your experience, skill and quality, and capability to manage assets
Skills/TRAITS
* Good diagnostic and analytical skills
* Patience and good public relations skills to cater to customer needs (both internal and external)
Getting there
After completing Class 12 in the science stream, couple it up with BE in biomedical engineering, or do a BE in any branch of engineering and do a PG course in biomedical engineering. Alternatively, one can go in for a PG course in medical technology, which is considered equivalent to a PG course in biomedical engineering. One could also take it up after an MBBS degree coupling it with a PG degree in biomedical engineering/ and medical technology
Institutes and URLs
* All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
* Jadavpur University, Kolkata
* Panjab University, Chandigarh
Pros and cons
* It is interesting to apply principles of engineering and medical sciences
* Works with path breaking technology
* Some health hazards attached
