Biomedical Engineering

Definition

Biomedical engineering, also known as bioengineering, is the application of engineering principles to the study of medical and biological problems. The goal of biomedical engineering is to use electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering principles to conduct studies and develop tools that can aid in the biomedical care of patients.

In 1997, the National Institutes of Health issued the following expansive definition of biomedical engineering/bioengineering: "Bioengineering integrates physical, chemical, or mathematical sciences and engineering principles for the study of biology, medicine, behavior, or health. It advances fundamental concepts, creates knowledge from the molecular to the organ systems levels, and develops innovative biologics, materials, implants, devices, and informatics approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, for patient rehabilitation, and for improving health."

Description

Biomedical engineering can trace its history to as far back as a hundred years ago, when the first x-ray machines and electrocardiographs dramatically illustrated how technology could be applied towards the diagnosis of disease. Today, the field of biomedical engineering is in full flower, propelled by the momentum of the post-World War II technology boom and the latest molecular, genetic, and computational developments. Having gone beyond its roots in imaging and instrumentation, biomedical engineering now encompasses at least 13 specialties, according to the 2000 edition of The Biomedical Engineering Handbook.

These specialties include

  • biomechanics
  • prosthetic devices and artificial organs
  • transport phenomena
  • biomaterials
  • biomedical instrumentation
  • biosensors
  • medical and biologic analysis
  • medical imaging
  • physiologic modeling, simulation, and control
  • biotechnology
  • rehabilitation engineering
  • clinical engineering
  • medical informatics

Biomechanics, prosthetic devices and artificial organs, and transport phenomena

Biomechanics is the application of classical mechanics (the study of how objects move in response to forces placed on them) to biomedical problems. Classical mechanics provides general principles for understanding (for example) how fluids move, how objects become deformed under various forces, and how levers and forces move objects. Biomechanics uses these principles to understand how blood moves throughout the body, how injuries affect the shape and mechanics of body parts, and the mechanics of body movement (e.g. how an arm is lifted, or how a person walks). Biomechanics has contributed to an understanding of the mechanical function of the bones, cartilage, and soft tissue in the musculoskeletal system, as well as an understanding of other major organ systems, such as the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Some of the technologies coming from biomechanics include artificial hearts and heart valves, and artificial joints such as prosthetic hip and knee replacements. These types of technologies have spawned another specialty in biomedical engineering, prosthetic devices and artificial organs. Another closely affiliated specialty is transport phenomena. This subfield concerns itself with the processes of fluid flow and heat transfer in biological systems.


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