15-03-2017, 10:37 AM
Training programs and courses in biomedical instrumentation (sometimes called bioinstrumentation) cover the repair, maintenance and operation of electronic medical equipment. Although autonomous programs in this field are not common, biomedical instrumentation can also be studied within other related programs. For example, at the certificate level, potential students can find biomedical electronic technology certificates and biomedical electronics certificates.
Training in biomedical instrumentation can also be found within the associate degree programs in biomedical equipment technology or electronic technology. Courses within these programs often include hands-on training, and credits can be transferred to a bachelor's degree program. There are also some biomedical engineering degree programs that include a concentration or track in biomedical instrumentation for students who wish to learn more about the design and development of electronic medical equipment. Online programs are usually available at the partner level and above.
Certificates covering biomedical instrumentation
Training in biomedical instrumentation is often found as part of electronic engineering technology or biomedical electronic technology programs. Due to the practical nature of the repair field, distance learning is generally not available at the certificate level. Typically, these 1 to 2 semester certificate programs require that applicants have graduated from high school. Some certificate programs are designed to train associate degree holders who have some experience in the electrical field in medical terminology and the application of electrical knowledge to the biomedical field.
Prospective biomedical instrumentation technicians learn how the application of electronic equipment - such as monitoring devices - to the medical field affects health professionals and patient care. Learning to repair medical malfunctions may require training in:
• AC and DC circuits
• Digital signal processing
• Fundamentals of Robotics
• Structure of the human body
• Test equipment
Associate Degrees of Biomedical Instrumentation
Students in these associate science and associate science degree programs applied in biomedical equipment technology or biomedical instrumentation electronics learn to fix specialized electrical equipment. These two-year programs incorporate both practical training and theoretical instruction in class. Applicants are required to have graduated high school or earned the equivalent.
These students apply theoretical concepts of mathematics and physics to problems in the design and repair of electrical circuits in the biomedical field. The course in this discipline commonly includes:
• Alternating and direct currents
• Computer-aided writing
• Integrated circuits
• Physical
• Trigonometry