How Engineers Save Lives - An Insight into Medical Devices

What do you think of when you hear the word "engineer"? Is it someone in a hard hat?

Okay, maybe that's a bit too stereotypical, but many people, myself included, often associate engineers with fields like robotics or construction. While engineers certainly contribute to these areas, their influence extends far beyond. As we start to understand the impact of engineering, let's begin by examining how engineers save lives, particularly through their contributions to revolutionary medical devices. In this post, we'll explore two groundbreaking devices—the pacemaker and the face mask.

The Pacemaker

According to Veterans Affairs, in 1958, Dr. William Chardack had a goal—to implant what is now known as a pacemaker into the human body. But he couldn't do it alone—he teamed up with Wilson Greatbatch, an engineer. Together, they implanted an electrode into a dog. Fortunately, the dog responded well, and for two years they refined the design until implanting the device into a human. This led to the establishment of the first commercial pacemaker system in the US.

The pacemaker is a small yet powerful device that sits right in your heart. It keeps an eye on your heartbeat with the help of electrodes and sends out electrical pulses from a generator whenever it detects an irregular rhythm. It's crucial for patients with bradycardia (a heartbeat that is too slow) or tachycardia (a heartbeat that is too fast) since both conditions can cause heart failure or strokes, proving to be dangerous.

To create this remarkable device, having an engineer on board was crucial. Their expertise was key in selecting the right materials for the job. Since it’s a device that needs to be rechargeable, they opted for lithium iodide for the battery, which provides a lightweight and long-lasting power source. Throughout the development process, engineers made sure that every component of the pacemaker was compatible with the human body. Doctors played a vital role as well, testing the device and offering suggestions for improvements based on medical needs. This collaboration between engineers and doctors formed a strong team—doctors identified the challenges, while engineers designed the solutions.

The Face Mask

This innovation has become an essential tool in clinical practices and hospital settings, and it was something both you and I relied on during the recent pandemic. But what’s the reason for this seemingly simple piece of cloth to be highlighted in an engineering blog? As Rancho from 3 Idiots pointed out, a machine is anything that makes our lives easier.

The primary purpose of wearing a face mask is to prevent particle droplets from reaching others. While its origins date back centuries, it has been designed for practical use in modern times.

Engineers certainly contributed to the creation of masks such as the N95, which required materials designed for filtration. Equally important was the need to design them to enable easy breathing.

But it's just a face mask, it can't be that deep, right? Maybe it isn't, but behind its development, there was a team of doctors and engineers. Just like with the pacemaker, collaboration was the culprit of success.

Career Insight: Biomedical Engineering

These two innovations both fall under the field of biomedical engineering. This fascinating field is all about applying engineering to medicine to make a difference. Biomedical engineers work on devices like pacemakers and prosthetics; help improve general hospital equipment; and develop biotech tools. It is a discipline that combines biology, medicine, and engineering. It is great for an analytical mind that is passionate about making an impact. There are also many paths you can take, from becoming a biomaterials engineer, to going to medical school. Be sure to look more into this field if you are interested!

Final Thoughts

Engineers play a crucial role in saving lives, from pacemakers to face masks. Whether large or small, these innovations can truly transform our world. If there's one takeaway from this, it's that collaboration is essential for success. Whether at home or in the workplace, working together enhances efficiency. Ultimately, it's the collective effort of engineers that makes a difference in saving lives.

Sources:

History of the Pacemaker: The invention of the cardiac pacemaker