Embedded medical and biological application refers to the use of technology and computers for observing certain events or generating a response when certain events occur. ‘Embedded’ points to the fact that such devices are either small or very passive, or both, such that the subjects of the observations are not continuously aware of it.

Embedded Applications in Medicine

Many embedded applications were found for medical purposes, and more are on the way. Embedded medical applications were found to have been very effective in monitoring and observing patients using computers and communication protocols like the internet. This method of observation and monitoring offered many advantages to medical practitioners, such as the ability to remotely observe and monitor in real time and the ability to observe normal, everyday conditions. Embedded applications are designed to be as unobtrusive and inconspicuous as possible so they do not intrude even as they monitor and track patients’ health stats.

Embedded applications are now used quite heavily with patients who have psychological or mental conditions. These unobtrusive embedded applications allow doctors and medical practitioners to keep an eye on their patient even as they eliminate the need for the physical presence of either for observation and monitoring purposes. These embedded applications also allow medical practitioners to give feedback to their patient, such as touch or sounds, in order to stimulate a response.

Embedded Applications in Biology

Embedded applications are also heavily used in biology – particularly zoology – for the same reasons as the ones cited above. The technology used in embedded applications in biology are almost always miniaturized in order to make them compatible for use with small animals like birds and insects, as well as to pose as little a hindrance as possible to the animal’s regular activities. Embedded applications used in biology are also designed to use as little energy as possible, if at all, and are usually passive devices.

Developments in computing technology have helped miniaturize devices to such an extent that they are both small and energy efficient. Cameras and transponders are common components of embedded applications in biology.

Embedded applications have proven valuable in studying the behavior of animals because they provide a method for researchers to monitor their subjects remotely. The embedded applications leave the animal (or subject) unfettered while it provides valuable data to the researchers; such data collected by embedded electronics devices are then stored in the device’s internal memory or transmitted using a predetermined communication protocol.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 at 4:14 pm and is filed under Biomedical electronics, Embedded General, Misc Readings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.