Extending the horizon of biomedical engineering to help other species

Abstract

It is important for engineers to become aware of how we affect the ecological environment around us. Therefore, we must understand how engineering can be not only at the service of humans but of other animal species as well. Prosthetics, orthotics and similar devices are intended to replace or improve the functions of lost limbs and organs. Traditionally, they have been used only in humans, but in recent years there has been a growth in the development of these devices for animals. They are particularly important when they help to restore the locomotion abilities to their users, in which case they are called ambulation devices. For companion animals, this is important because it improves the welfare of the animal, avoiding the use of euthanasia, and improving also the psychological well-being of its owner. In this paper we discuss the generalities of veterinary ambulation devices, and present the idea that the maker movement can be a great aid to introduce this concept to new generations of biomedical engineers, helping to create a new research line on veterinary engineering. We illustrate the concept with an example of an activity of this type carried out at the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente.