Medical technology has come a long way in the past few decades. One of the most important parts of this advancement is the electronic design and engineering that goes into creating new medical devices.
Without these skilled professionals, our hospitals would be filled with outdated machines and treatments.
Here we will take a close look at electronic design, engineering and how it has helped improve our medical system!
Why is Electronic Design and Engineering Important?
Electronic design and engineering are important because they allow us to create new medical devices to improve patient care. With the help of these skilled professionals, we can create smaller, more portable, and more user-friendly devices.
In addition, electronic design and engineering help us create more accurate and reliable devices. This is extremely important in medicine, where even a small error can have serious consequences.
Medical Devices In The Past
Before electronic design and engineering, medical devices were often large and bulky. They were also difficult to use and often required a lot of training to operate correctly. This made it difficult for many patients to receive the care they needed, and even put their lives at risk.
Thankfully, with the help of electronic design and engineering, we’ve created smaller, more user-friendly medical devices.
What kinds of Medical Devices Are Created With Electronic Design and Engineering?
Some of the most common medical devices that are created with electronic design and engineering include:
Cardiac pacing device
The most common type of cardiac pacing device known as pacemaker is the single-chamber pacemaker. This type of pacemaker has one lead, or wire, that goes to the heart’s right ventricle. There are also dual-chamber pacemakers, which have two leads — one that goes to the right atrium and one to the right ventricle.
Pacemakers are used to treat bradycardia, which is a heart rate that’s too slow. A normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. But if you have bradycardia, your heart rate can be less than 60 beats per minute.
Pacemakers work by using electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate. Electronic circuits generate these electrical pulses. The first pacemakers were large external devices that were powered by batteries. Now, most pacemakers are small and can be implanted under the skin.
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators are devices that are similar to pacemakers, they are used to treat arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms. Arrhythmias can be life-threatening because they can cause the heart to stop beating.
ICDs work by sending electrical shocks to the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. Most ICDs are implanted under the skin. Some ICDs are combined with pacemakers; these devices are called biventricular pacemakers or cardioverter defibrillators (CRT-Ds).
Electronic engineers develop and test new circuits, miniaturize electronic components, and find ways to power the devices for long periods. They also work on the algorithms that control how ICDs deliver electrical shocks to the heart. These algorithms are based on extensive research and must be constantly updated as new scientific knowledge is gained.
Deaf aids
Deaf aid known as hearing aids are another medical device that has benefited from advances in electronic engineering. Modern hearing aids are much smaller and more powerful than just a few years ago. They use digital signal processing to amplify sound and reduce background noise. This allows people with hearing loss to hear sounds that they would otherwise be unable to hear.
The first digital hearing aid was developed in the early 1990s. Since then, technology has constantly been improving. Today, hearing aids are small, comfortable, and effective.
Blood pressure monitors
In the past, blood pressure monitors were large, bulky, and difficult to use. Today, they are small, portable, and easy to use.
Digital blood pressure monitors can take accurate readings quickly and easily. This is important because it can help people with high blood pressure monitor their condition and make necessary lifestyle changes.
Electronic engineers have made blood pressure monitors more accurate by redesigning the sensors and improving the algorithms used to interpret the data. The result is a blood pressure monitor that is more accurate and reliable. They have also made the device smaller and more portable. This is important because it allows people to take their blood pressure monitor with them when they travel.
Infusion pumps
Infusion pumps deliver medication to patients through a needle or catheter. In the past, infusion pumps were large and bulky. They were also difficult to use and had many moving parts that could break down.
However, electronic engineers have redesigned infusion pumps so that they are smaller and more reliable. They have also made them easier to use so that more people can benefit from them.
Electronic engineers started by redesigning the control system of infusion pumps. They replaced the mechanical parts with electronic components. This made the pumps smaller and more lightweight.
They also redesigned the pump’s software so that it was more user-friendly. As a result, infusion pumps are now much easier to use. T They have also made the pumps more durable and resistant to vibration.
X-ray machines
They were first developed in the late 1800s. This machine uses electromagnetic radiation to create images of the inside of the body. Today’s X-ray machines are much more powerful and precise than before.
This is thanks, in part, to the work of electronic engineers. Developing better sensors and more powerful computers has helped make X-ray machines more accurate than ever before.
CT scanners
CT scanners use X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the body. CT scanners were first developed in the 1970s. At that time, they were large, expensive machines that could only be found in hospitals.
Nowadays, CT scanners are smaller and more affordable. This is thanks to the work of electronic engineers. By miniaturizing the components and making them more efficient, they have helped make CT scanners more accessible to everyone.
One of the biggest challenges for electronic engineers is to miniaturize the components of CT scanners. This is because CT scanners use a lot of power. To make them more efficient, engineers must find ways to reduce the size of the components without compromising on quality.
The work of electronic engineers has also helped improve the quality of images produced by CT scanners. Developing new algorithms has reduced the amount of noise in the images. This has made it possible to produce clearer and more accurate images.
Conclusion
In conclusion, recent medical advancement is due to electronic design and engineering. This has helped improve diagnostic tools’ accuracy, make medical procedures more affordable, and improve the quality of patient care. Thanks to their efforts, we can enjoy better health and a higher standard of living. Electronic engineers have made a difference in the world of medicine.