Choosing Your Niche: Specializations Within Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering blends engineering principles with biological and medical sciences, presenting a wealth of distinctive career paths. As you consider your next steps in this dynamic field, the decision to focus on a particular specialization is crucial and challenging: Choosing the right one is a strategic move in a career that has significant implications for the future of healthcare and patient outcomes.

From working with machinery to working with people, in a hospital, classroom or government agency, this post will explore several specialization options within biomedical engineering.

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

According to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), bioengineers in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine apply engineering principles to the understanding of basic stem cell biology and develop manufacturing processes for the translation of stem cell science. They work to replace, repair or regenerate tissues and organs to treat people who have sustained disease and/or severe injuries. They create skin substitutes and cartilage; development work continues to create a bioartificial pancreas, cardiovascular substitutes such as heart valves and small-diameter blood vessels for bypass surgery, treatment strategies for myocardial infarction and therapies for an array of neural injuries and disorders.¹

Biomedical Imaging

Biomedical imaging offers a window into the intricate workings of the human body. Professionals in this field are able to visualize internal structures noninvasively, which has revolutionized the approach to medical diagnostics and treatment.

From identifying anomalies to guiding complex surgeries, biomedical imaging enables clinicians to diagnose conditions with higher accuracy and monitor the effectiveness of treatments, which facilitates personalized care. The precision of this technology helps ensure that patients receive timely, appropriate medical intervention.

Biomedical imaging meets diverse diagnostic needs through various methods. The leading ones include:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), a non-invasive imaging technology that produces detailed, three-dimensional anatomical images; often used for disease detection, diagnosis and treatment monitoring² 
• Computed Tomography (CT) scan, in which a narrow beam of x-rays is aimed and quickly rotated around the body, yielding signals that are computer-processed to generate cross-sectional images; when “stacked” together, these create three-dimensional images that can help in identifying tumors or other abnormalities³
• Ultrasound, a noninvasive imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time pictures or video of internal organs or other soft tissues, such as blood vessels⁴

Each of these offers unique advantages in terms of detail, accessibility and suitability for various medical conditions.

Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning are paving the way for more detailed and faster image analysis, while techniques such as molecular imaging—"the visualization, characterization and measurement of biological processes at the molecular and cellular levels in humans and other living systems”⁵—are creating new possibilities for early detection and personalized treatment strategies.

Biomedical Devices

Biomedical device engineers apply their knowledge to design, enhance and implement a wide spectrum of medical devices, from the simplest diagnostic tools to advanced imaging systems and life-support equipment. Integral to the development lifecycle of medical technologies, they rigorously ensure that each device is not only innovative but also user-friendly, safe and in strict adherence to healthcare regulations. Their work supports the essential functions of healthcare delivery, bringing to market cutting-edge devices that improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

As the healthcare sector evolves and the demand for high-tech medical solutions accelerates, these engineers are constantly challenged to use their dual expertise in engineering and biological systems. Effectively balancing technical innovation with the complexities of the human body, biomedical device engineers play a pivotal role in advancing medical care.

Bionics Engineering

This discipline focuses on the design and creation of artificial organs, limbs, sensory aids and tissues—known as bionics—that seamlessly integrate with the human body and imitate or even outperform natural biological systems, significantly improving the quality of life for people with disabilities or injuries.

Through the combination of aspects of mechanics, electronics and biology, bionics engineers create biologically inspired solutions to address various sensory and neurological disorders. Many of these solutions are electromechanical—that is, they can move mechanically and their mechanical components are powered by a power source, such as a battery, and accompanying circuitry. These devices include myoelectric bionic hands and elbows, as well as bionic legs, eyes, fingers, ankles and knees. Bionics engineers also develop devices that are not electromechanical. The movements of these body-powered devices, or prostheses, depend on a system of cables and harnesses, and they have manual controls.⁶

Career Paths in Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineers can pursue a range of career opportunities across academic, industrial, clinical and governmental sectors.⁷ Each pathway offers the chance to make an important difference in medicine, technology and patient care.

Clinical Medicine

Some biomedical engineers hold medical degrees and work as doctors and surgeons in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings. They treat and advise patients in collaboration with other physicians, nurses, therapists and technicians, using their combined expertise in medicine and bioengineering to improve their patients’ health outcomes.

Industry

Biomedical engineers employed in industry work for medical equipment and supply manufacturers as well as medical device, pharmaceutical and biotech companies. They may have a diverse range of responsibilities, including designing instruments, devices, and software; gathering knowledge from disparate sources to develop new procedures; conducting research to solve clinical problems; and training health professionals in the use of new medical technologies. Some employers may focus on a particular field or disease, while others’ work will center on diagnostic testing or drug delivery models.

Government and Policy

Government labs and agencies at the local, state and federal levels employ biomedical engineers in a diverse array of positions. Over 80% of government jobs are located outside of the Washington, D.C., area, with the largest concentrations in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, and New York City and worldwide.⁷

You may choose to use your biomedical engineering expertise in the service of shaping policy—that is, judicial rulings, funding priorities, procedures, laws and other regulations. To that end, pursue a science policy career with a think tank, scientific society, charitable organization, international organization, lobby group or other non-governmental organization.

Academia: Research and Teaching

Some biomedical engineers work at colleges, universities and technical schools, mentoring students and teaching future scientists and engineers. They conduct independent research; many of them direct research labs that are supported by students. They make their research known through publication and presentation of it at conferences.

If you pursue an academic career as a bioengineer, your work life will likely include a fair amount of flexibility, the freedom to work independently, and the satisfaction that comes from helping students find and pursue their passions.

Give yourself the best career choices.

To have the richest opportunities, you need the strongest qualifications. Prepare for a successful career in mechanical engineering leadership. Deepen your expertise in the online MS in Biomedical Engineering program from the Case School of Engineering. Our acclaimed faculty leads this practice-oriented program. It accommodates your commitments to life at work and at home, so you can enjoy the flexibility to study any time, from anywhere.

Don’t wait to gain the experience and credentials that can advance your career. Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.