Exploring the power of edible batteries

Image Source: telegraph.co.uk

As wearable medical technologies like smart watches and fitness trackers continue to dominate the consumer tech market, researchers in the medical field are now adopting to the trend by creating edible devices that might soon power biodegradable electronic medical devices.

Spearheaded by two researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), the development of the sodium-based battery is said to be safe and non-toxic. Like a pill, the battery can be swallowed and utilized to power biomedical sensors or other biodegradable medical gadgets.

Image Source: electric-vehiclenews.com

Christopher Bettinger, the lead researcher, explains: “Instead of lithium and toxic electrolytes that work really well but aren’t biocompatible, we chose simple materials of biological origin.”

According to Bettinger, the batteries, which were made from pigments found in cuttlefish ink, uses the melanin of the source for the anode and manganese oxide as the cathode. Furthermore, all the materials in the battery break down into nontoxic components in the body, rendering them safe for any type of medical procedures.

Image Source: digitaltrends.com

Doing further research on the study, the group is now working on making the edible electronics as digestible as pills. Though this, doctors will be able to deliver sensitive protein drugs, which are ordinarily destroyed in the stomach. The project also promises more bearable therapies for arthritis patients in the future.

Get more updates on biomedical technology by visiting this Riyesh R. Menon blog.

Directing research to create products for healthcare

Image Source: wonderfulengineering.com

Biomedical engineers are known for addressing interesting questions that potentially restructure industries in medicine and engineering.  Because of the nature of their work, biomedical engineers get involved in research geared towards creating new products that revolutionize treatments and therapies.

Image Source: wisegeek.com

One of the examples of the impact of engineering and technology in the field of medicine is the use of imaging in neurology.  Previously, the neurological methods were very limited, as tools for observing the brain and the internal workings of the nervous system were limited.  Engineering, however, contributed leaps and bounds to the science by introducing neural imaging. 

Modern applications now involve the use of a non-invasive brain computer interface to pick up the weak electrical signals generated by the neurons, decode the signal, and to use that signal to control a device.  Advancing research in this field offers promising results in allowing paralyzed individuals to interact and communicate.

There are many other practical applications for the research done by biomedical engineers.  Among the fields that have seen increased activity recently is wearable technology, which integrates sensors into garments.

Image Source: theblogstudio.com

Experts see a lot of potential in improving the healthcare system with the use of devices that can monitor a person’s vital signs regularly and upload data to the Cloud.  Doctors can then easily consult patient information online and gain better insights on a disease’s life cycle.  They can also alert patients to warning signs of dreaded conditions before they are needed to go to an emergency department because they already feel unwell. 


Riyesh R. Menon is a research and development engineer for a medical device company in New York. For more links to articles about biomedical engineering, visit this Google+ page.

Advances in artificial organ technology

Image Source: bls.gov

The application of biomedical engineering in the medical field has been studied for many years. The goal of this field is to help create systems that would help medical professionals diagnose illnesses faster, more efficiently, and with the least amount of inconvenience to patients. A proper diagnosis could then lead to better treatment. Biomedical engineering also studies the use of technology to innovate treatment options. Nevertheless, it is only until recently that scientists are starting to overcome the hurdles to this field of study. This may be due to the rapid growth of modern technology. For example, innovations meant for commercial applications such as high-definition cameras, scanners, and pumps have found their use in the study of artificial organ technology.

Image Source: imedicalapps.com

For example, scientists recently created an artificial lung for newborn infants that consisted of stackable single oxygenator units (SOUs) that help facilitate breathing. The engineering of the lung assist device (LAD) and the use of the SOUs are a classic example of how biomedical engineering is utilizing the development of technology to create devices that could be used to ease medical treatment.

Image Source: rt.com

Another example would be the development of 3-D printing to effectively and safely scan the body for possible illnesses. Recently in Boston, doctors were able to create the first synthetic blood vessels through the process of artificial vascularization aided by advances in 3-D printing and biomaterials. Doctors and scientists still agree that much research still needs to be made into these artificial organs so that they will function perfectly within the patient’s body. However, they remain optimistic and hopeful that these advances are milestones in creating a better and healthier society.

Riyesh Menon finished his master’s degree in biomedical engineering at Rutgers University and currently works for a medical device company. Like this Google+ page for the latest in biomedical engineering.

The future of biometrics: 3D-printed fingerprints

Image Source: economist.com

Biometric technologies have purposes beyond security infrastructure support. They make way for next-generation identification and verification solutions and prevention of identity theft and fraud, among others. Thus, biometrics is one of the critical components of a successful operation of an organization, establishment, and government agency. The most commonly implemented or studied biometrics are the following: face, iris, voice, signature, hand geometry, and fingerprint. Employee identification, electronic banking, law enforcement, and healthcare services are a few of the fields that have upgraded their operations through the integration of biometric technologies.

Image Source: biometrika.it

However, just like any technology, biometric systems have vulnerabilities. There are cases when their accuracy is compromised. It is then critical to have a reasonable evaluation of the performance of any biometric system in an operational setting before its deployment. A research partnership between Michigan State University and National Institute of Standards and Technology tested the accuracy of a fingerprint matching system by coming up with the first 3D-printed fingerprint. The researchers projected 2D images on a generic 3D finger surface, which then fabricates the 3D fingerprint in a commercial 3D printer.

Image Source: dailymail.co.uk

This system avoids the laborious task of running millions of fingerprint images through the biometric system's matching software, which can be inaccurate. 3D fingerprinting is helpful to both sensor manufacturers and algorithm developers to boost hardware and software fingerprint matching systems. Moreover, 3D fingerprinting will also contribute to the potential touchless fingerprint sensing solutions being developed.

 To read more news on biomedical studies, visit this Riyesh R. Menon blog.

Biomedical engineering as a discipline

Image Source: ep.jhu.edu

Biomedical engineering is one of the fastest growing fields of medical technology. From laboratory instrumentation to the computer analysis of the human genome, it is considered one of the fields that have achieved astounding achievements over the past few years.

In the United States, it is estimated that there are now around 15,000 biomedical engineers in various companies, particularly in the healthcare industry. Riyesh Menon of Greater New York, is one of these young practitioners who have high hopes for the field. Mr. Menon has a master’s degree in biomedical engineer from Rutgers University. He has worked as a product development engineer at The Dow Chemical Company, where was involved in the research and development of new healthcare products such as shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, body washes, and soaps containing proprietary chemicals. He has also helped the company develop and analyze innovative, cost-effective, and superior formulation methodologies for healthcare products.

Image Source: nicolsoneng.com

Today, Mr. Menon works as a product development engineer in New York by helping a medical technology company that is dedicated on providing the best patient care and innovative solutions in orthopedic extremity surgery, neurosurgery, spine surgery, and reconstructive and general surgery. Among the projects that he has handled include the development mechanisms and systems of neuro-critical care products such as external drainage devices, shunts and catheters.

Like Mr. Menon, more and more people are now pursuing a career in biomedical engineering. From manufacturing companies and hospitals to research facilities and universities, biomedical engineers have play a vital role in developing solutions to problems in biology and medicine.

Image Source: bu.edu

More discussions on the critical role of biomedical engineers in improving the healthcare system are featured on this Riyesh Menon blog.