Medical technology applies engineering to biology and medicine - for example, in the development of aids or replacements for defective or missing body parts. Bioengineering combines biological science with engineering.
One product of bioengineering is the artificial heart. This is made of metal and plastic. It is used to keep very sick patients alive who might die while waiting for a transplant of a natural heart. An artificial heart has an electric motor and pumping system with hydraulic valves. It has external and internal parts (hat is, outside and inside the body). Inside the body is a rechargeable battery which powers the pumping system. This internal battery is recharged by an external battery using a simple electrical coil, which induces a current. This current then recharges the internal battery. The whole system is controlled by a microprocessor (also called a controller) inside the body. Of cause, biological safety is very important, so the plastics in the artificial heart are very durable. There is also a heart pacemaker under the skin, which keeps the heart working at a regular pace.
Another product of medical technology is scanning equipment. This scans internal organs of the body, and produces images using technologies such as X-Rays and ultrasound. CAT scanners use special X-Ray equipment. (CAT is really CT, which stands for Computed Tomography). A computer processes the images to create a cross-section of the soft tissue and organs of the body. CT imaging is very useful because it can show the soft parts of the body very clearly.
Electronic Assistive Technology or EAT is an example of mechatronics in medical technology. Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering, electronics and IT. This kind of technology can provide equipment for very disabled people. In a disabled person’s house, for example, this equipment allows them to control doors, lights, television, computers, etc. with eye movements
Another example of EAT is the ultracane. Blind people often carry a cane when walking. The ultracane uses ultrasound (sound above the level of the human hearing) to help blind people detect object around them. Some people call it the ‘batcane’ because bats use ultrasound when they fly at night