The Future of Bioinstrumentation in Biomedical Engineering

Bioinstrumentation is the application of engineering principles in medicine. The term often refers to the development of technology and electronic devices for diagnosing and treating biological systems. It is an interdisciplinary field of engineering that uses electronics, mechanics and biology to create medical tools.¹

Biomedical engineering innovations aim to revolutionize the healthcare industry. Wearable medical devices with nanotechnology and flexible electronics, AI-powered diagnostics and treatment plans and robotics are shaping the bioinstrumentation field to improve the accuracy and efficiency of modern healthcare. These developments can help healthcare professionals make accurate diagnoses, complete administrative tasks, monitor patients, conduct complex procedures and much more.²

From AI-powered diagnostics to microscopic biosensors, the innovations detailed below are defining the next generation of healthcare—and the careers that will drive it forward.

The Evolution of Bioinstrumentation in Engineering

The field of bioinstrumentation emerged in the 1800s, marked by the introduction of X-rays and electrocardiograms (ECGs). In the 1900s, devices such as pacemakers and anesthesia bioinstrumentation were developed.³

Over the years, bioinstrumentation has changed significantly. It began with the creation of external medical devices such as stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs. Now, it includes small, wearable devices, such as biosensors, that can work inside the human body. As the field continues to adapt to the rapidly changing healthcare industry, its developments increasingly embrace modern technology. Surgery systems use robotics, nanotechnology makes devices more compact and sensitive and AI models assist with patient diagnosis, treatment plan development and patient data analysis.⁴ This technology is making healthcare more efficient through new devices that benefit patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Key Trends Shaping the Future of Bioinstrumentation

With the aforementioned technological and biomedical instrumentation advancements, these trends are shaping the field and creating opportunities for biomedical engineering professionals:

1. Using AI to power diagnostic imaging for accuracy and speed: AI models assist with diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, by collecting data and analyzing patients’ vital signs to find diagnoses and treatment plans.⁵ As AI models continue to develop, they'll only improve in accuracy and speed, influencing future biomedical engineering careers as engineers work with these models.
2. Developing interactive wearable devices for data collection: Wearable biomedical devices can monitor patients by collecting data on their health, such as their heart rate, sleep cycles and levels of physical activity.⁶ Since patients can wear these devices as they go about their daily lives, the data collection allows their doctors to view patterns over an extended period of time rather than solely within the setting of medical appointments.
3. Employing robotic systems to improve prosthetics and exoskeletons: Robotic technology is being used to make prosthetics and exoskeletons more efficient by implementing sensory feedback to adjust grip strength and using sensors to monitor patients’ posture. As the technology monitors users' reactions to prosthetics and exoskeletons in real time, it can adjust as needed to ensure maximum comfort and mobility.⁷

The Rise of Wearable Medical Technology

Wearable medical technology is currently dominating advancements in bioinstrumentation. It personalizes and mobilizes much of healthcare, especially in monitoring data. Instead of visiting your doctor for a blood pressure check, for example, a wearable device can monitor your blood pressure throughout the day and send data to your doctor. Some wearable devices include:⁸

• Smart watches, rings and fitness trackers
• Baby smart socks
• Biosensor patches
• Continuous glucose monitors
• Wearable ECG monitors
• Wearable defibrillators

With wearable tech, healthcare professionals can take a more comprehensive look at patients’ day-to-day health, monitoring vitals and patterns to aid in diagnosis and treatment.

Advancements in Biomedical Sensors and Devices

Biomedical sensors and devices adeptly track biological signals, from an abnormal heart rate to a drop in glucose levels. Modern biosensors can be wearable and wireless thanks to advancements in nanotechnology, digital integration and microfabrication.⁹ These advancements allow biomedical engineers to create tiny devices that can track biological signals. For example, a pill-sized device could move through a patient’s intestinal tract to identify gut problems, like irritable bowel syndrome.¹⁰

Digital integration also connects biosensors to the Internet of Things (IoT). This allows doctors to track vitals in real time and patients to stay alert to potential health complications that may require an immediate doctor’s visit.

Emerging Specializations in Bioinstrumentation

With all these new trends, there are many careers in biomedical instrumentation and engineering. Emerging specializations include:¹¹

• Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• Bionics engineering
• Nanotechnology, flexible electronics and microfabrication
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning

These specializations lend themselves to a wide range of career paths in biomedical engineering, such as:¹²

• Biomedical researcher and developer
• Biomechanics and bioinstrumentation engineer
• Medical device designer
• Biomedical equipment technician
• Medical mechanics
• Genetic engineer
• Imaging specialist
• Artificial limb technician

As bioinstrumentation continues to advance, the biomedical engineering field will expand to include more specializations and career trajectories.

Lead the Transformation of Healthcare With a Biomedical Engineering Degree

With the online Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of this complex field and increase your earning potential. CWRU's program is established, renowned and well-equipped to prepare you for success in your future career.

The program gives you the tools you need to be part of the emerging healthcare transformation, with cutting-edge research programs, over $60 million in grant funding for new research endeavors and training programs to integrate into the industry. With three annual start dates and an 18-month completion timeline, you'll be ready to move up less than two years after classes begin. Explore tuition and financial aid options—including the $28,440 tuition reduction offer for all new online students—then take the next step. Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor who can answer your questions about the online MS in Biomedical Engineering curriculum, faculty expertise and career paths.