Biomedical Diagnostics
What is Biomedical Diagnostics?
Biomedical diagnostics refers to the science and technology
which aids in the screening, detection, diagnosis and
monitoring of human diseases.
A simple example of a biomedical diagnostic device is a
thermometer. One of the first signs of an infection in the
human body is a raised temperature. Therefore, you can use a
thermometer to detect an infection.
Other diagnostic devices can also be used to detect diseases, such as, heart disease,
lung disease, infectious diseases, diabetes and cancers. Many of these devices work
using antibodies.
Antibodies
Antibodies are large Y-shaped proteins used by the
immune system to identify and neutralise foreign
objects like bacteria and viruses.
Each antibody recognises a specific antigen unique to
its target. This is because at the two tips of its "Y", it
has structures that act like locks. As with every lock it
has only one type of key. The antigen is the key and
when the key is inserted into the lock, the antibody
activates, killing its target.
Biomedical diagnostic devices
These are small, hand-held devices that can be used by you at
home or by your G.P. They are simple to use and give a clear,
rapid result. A bodily fluid, such as, saliva, blood or urine are
used on the device. In hospitals these devices can be wireless and
radio-controlled, so that, the results of the test can be relayed to a
computer or another diagnostic instrument.
The picture on the right is a ‘medical telesensor’ chip on a
fingertip. It can measure and transmit body temperature. One day a
chip on your fingertip or in your coat might measure and transmit
data on your body temperature. Your coat would then know when
you were cold and heaters in the coat could warm you up. A more
complicated coat could contain lots of these chips which could
measure blood pressure, oxygen level, and pulse rate.
Biomedical Sensors
A biosensor is a probe that uses a biological component, such as, a whole bacterium or a
biological product (e.g. an enzyme or antibody) with an electronic component to yield a
measurable signal. One of the most common biomedical devices are
glucose sensors. These are small, hand-held devices that are used by
diabetics to monitor their blood-sugar levels. However, other such
devices also exist that can test for heart disease, lung disease,
cancers and infectious illnesses.