The Future of Biomedical Imaging

Biomedical imaging is essential to modern healthcare. From X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) to computed tomography (CT) scans and nuclear medicine, the technologies developed in this field help clinicians diagnose a wide range of diseases and treat them with greater precision.

While some bioimaging technologies have been established for some time, others are on the leading edge of healthcare innovation. Professionals in this rapidly evolving subdiscipline of biomedical engineering are finding new ways to deliver less invasive imaging to patients and improving patient health outcomes in the process. This article will explore the leading biomedical imaging techniques and technologies, the role they play in healthcare processes, and what the future holds for the field.

Biomedical Imaging Techniques

Also known simply as bioimaging, biomedical imaging is a healthcare subdiscipline that employs a variety of methods to take pictures of the inside of the body.¹ Its purpose is to analyze bones, organs and tissues, and it improves clinicians’ abilities to diagnose patient conditions and create appropriate treatment plans.¹

The field of biomedical imaging combines commonplace and highly innovative technologies. While others exist as well, some of the most well-known bioimaging procedures include:

• X-ray, which is used to assess broken bones or obstructions²
• MRI, which is used to detect tumors or aneurysms³
• CT, which is used to analyze defects or damage in soft tissue⁴
• Ultrasound, which is used to monitor the health of a fetus and for imaging of internal organs⁵
  

One key feature of nearly all biomedical imaging techniques is that they can be performed outside the body. Unlike other diagnostic methods such as blood tests, biomedical imaging is largely non-invasive. Requiring no penetration with medical sensors or instruments, such non-invasive imaging offers the diagnostic precision that clinicians need while minimizing patient discomfort.¹

Emerging Imaging Modalities

While the above diagnostic imaging solutions are standard for many healthcare processes, recent advances in biomedical diagnostics have facilitated the emergence of new technologies. Some of these include:

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT): Often used to diagnose conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes-related eye diseases, OCT is a non-invasive imaging method that’s commonly used by ophthalmologists. It works by taking cross-sectional pictures of the retina, which helps clinicians to assess how each layer functions⁶
• Functional MRI (fMRI): Unlike conventional MRI, fMRI works by tracking blood flow throughout the brain. Since areas of the brain with the most blood flow are the most active, clinicians can then map out a patient’s brain activity and identify which parts need the most treatment. Common applications include brain surgery, radiation therapy and post-treatment scans⁷
• Photoacoustic imaging (PAI): By bombarding the given body part with a pulsating laser and detecting the sound wave that’s emitted back in the form of heat, PAI employs a phenomenon known as the photoacoustic effect.⁸ The result is a clearer picture of bodily systems at a much faster speed than other medical imaging technologies can provide. Common applications include temperature mapping, determining oxygen levels and earlier detection of cancer⁹

These medical diagnostic tools represent just a few advancements in imaging innovation. They give clinicians a better understanding of their patients’ bodily processes and offer better insights into how best to treat them.

Medical Imaging Technologies

Technological advancements have driven further innovation in biomedical imaging, with researchers using them to design better imaging tools.

Hardware Advancements

Recent hardware innovations have made biomedical imaging technologies more efficient, accurate and convenient than ever. For example, high-field and ultra-high-field MRI machines (UHF MRI) provide vastly superior image contrast than conventional MRIs and are useful for studying the central nervous system, fat saturation and vascular conditions.¹⁰

Portable imaging devices also enable clinicians to use their technologies in places that would otherwise be inaccessible, including hospital departments and low-to-middle-income communities (LMIC). The result is faster biomedical imaging services for those who need it and a higher quality of care for underserved communities.¹¹

Software and Artificial Intelligence Integration

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing many aspects of the healthcare industry, including biomedical imaging. Researchers can integrate AI’s advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms into their medical imaging software, providing feedback to clinicians in their image analysis and improving their diagnostic accuracy.¹²

AI can also process data much faster than humans and detect patterns that would otherwise be overlooked. This makes AI useful for researching medical data to gain a better understanding of disease processes and how they respond to certain treatments.¹²

Other Trends in Medical Imaging

Other imaging technology trends are improving the clarity and availability that these crucial procedures provide. For example, real-time MRI (RT-MRI) captures the complex changes that occur within dynamic bodily processes, such as the beating of a heart or the movement of a joint. This gives clinicians greater knowledge of their patients’ conditions.¹³

Telemedicine integration also works hand-in-hand with bioimaging trends, as it allows patients with limited accessibility to healthcare services to connect with clinicians who can interpret the bioimaging scans they’ve received. This reduces the need for patients with limited mobility or compromised immune systems to visit healthcare facilities, reducing their risk of medical complications.¹⁴

Imaging in Healthcare

With so many applications, biomedical imaging has become an essential part of many healthcare processes. Biomedical imaging techniques affect healthcare operations in many ways, including these:

• Better patient care: Imaging technologies improve patient care by empowering clinicians to give more precise medical diagnoses. This reduces the need for invasive procedures and guides both clinicians and patients as they make more informed treatment decisions
• Integration: Whether clinicians use them to diagnose conditions early on or to assess a patient’s response to the treatment plan they’ve created, biomedical imaging technologies can be found across each component of a provider’s clinical workflows
• Accessibility: From portable imaging devices to teleradiation, many biomedical imaging techniques and technologies help improve access to these critical services, especially in underserved areas

Prepare to Lead the Future of Biomedical Imaging

Use your scientific and healthcare expertise to help clinicians save human lives. The Online MS in Biomedical Engineering program from the Case School of Engineering can equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to play an essential role in the healthcare industry. In this flexible online program, you can learn at your own pace, from the convenience of your own home.

While you'll learn online, you won't be alone. Small class sizes make it easy to connect with your peers and faculty. Build your professional network by working with some of the most prestigious authorities in the industry. Our faculty are subject matter experts and are readily available when you need help. What's more, elective courses in various specialties allow you to tailor your degree to suit your interests.

Schedule an appointment with one of our admissions outreach advisors today to keep your career moving up.