Bionics, Bioncial and... Cybermen?

All things Bio... I'll be back

Biomedical Engineering

The term bionic was originally coined by an American. In 1958, Jack Steele – yes, all that time ago- with his qualifications in both engineering and the medical field, the term was later popularized by a fiction novel (inspired by Steel) called “Cyborg”. Due to its success, the novel was translated into film for the viewing pleasure of the public. Don’t be fooled. Dr Who’s “Cybermen” and Star War’s “Darth Vader” are not the subject of this article, though it may help with the visual imagery.

Bionics can be defined variously; but generally it refers to anatomical structures or physiological processes replaced or enhanced by electronic or mechanical (electromechanical) components. It is exciting prospect, watching as men attempts to recreate biology.

Working in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, Prof. Julian Vincent estimates that, "there is only a 12% overlap between biology and technology in terms of the mechanisms used". Stay tuned for updated statistics.

Two notable occurrences of bionics are South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, and American six year old Alex Pring. Completely different circumstances, though their common ground is met by man made limbs that have allowed them to pursue athletic dreams.

For most recipients of bionic limbs the process is more complex. Generally a person is exposed to a trauma; involving a vehicle or machinery, for example. An amputation is required, before the design and attachment of the bespoke limb. Thereafter the cortex in the brain, nerves, electrodes and motor/s controlling the bionic limb all need to be interacting adequately to achieve the required responses.

Two facts facilitate ‘bionic arm’ technology. The first relates to the motor cortex in the brain (the area that controls voluntary muscle movements) which still sends out control signals even if certain voluntary muscles are no longer available for control. The second relies on the doctors who perform the amputation; they need to ensure that working nerve stubs/endings remain intact so that the signals from the brain (which once sent information along these to the biological limb) can instead be transmitted to the bionic limb.

To sum up the result of these creative engineers and supportive communities… Well done, and keep up the incredible work.

For more information, including online courses and technical manuals, please visit the Engineering Institute of Technology website