Biomedical Engineering
Engineers play an increasingly important role in developing healthcare solutions and biomedical systems. Biomedical engineering researchers at the University of Alberta adapt and develop engineering methods and technologies to improve the quality of life for people all over the world. By combining traditional medical knowledge with ground-breaking engineering, our researchers develop new ways to deliver medicine, monitor patients, perform remote and minimally invasive procedures and operations, and provide patients and clinicians with access to robot-assisted surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation. Much of the current research in biomedical engineering revolves around robotics, imaging, and nanotechnology and our researchers take advantage of the great resources offered by the U of A, affiliated hospitals (including Cross Cancer Institute and Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital), the Nanofabrication Facility, and the National Institute for Nanotechnology.
Current research:
Medical robotics technologies:
- surgical and therapeutic robots
- image guidance for surgery and therapy
- rehabilitation and tele-rehabilitation robotics
- assistive technologies for people with disabilities or injuries
- haptics and teleoperation systems
- visualization technologies for medicine
Biomedical imaging technologies:
- ultrasound imaging
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- image processing and analysis
- minimally-invasive microscopy of live patients for virtual biopsy
- development of new imaging technologies
Diagnostic testing and monitoring:
- improvement of laboratory methods
- lab-on-a-chip systems
- micro- and nano-mechanical systems
Technologies for therapy and intervention:
- microneedle arrays and implantable pumps for sustained and controlled systemic drug delivery
- mobility and recovery
- energy-triggered drug or gene delivery
Biomedical nanotechnology:
- nanoparticles as contrast agents for imaging or drug delivery vesicles for therapy
- miniaturized biomedical transducers