What is Biomedical Engineering? Apply the idea of science (physics, chemistry and biology) and math to the improvement of the human health. Biomedical engineers invent, design, and build new technologies for diagnosis, treatment, and study of human disease. Usually, they work as a part of a team of engineers, scientists, and physicians It is the engineer who is responsible for converting new knowledge into a useful form. A picture tells more than words – Try to understand what biomedical engineering is all about

Chest x-rays are used to screen for lung disease such as tuberculosis

Heart–lung machine that permits heart transplantation and surgery.

An electro- cardiogram measures the electrical activity of the heart through electrodes attached at defined locations on the body surface.

Jet airplanes are used for rapid transport of a preserved organ to a distant operating room. NA microarrays can be used to measure the expression of genes in cells and tissues

What is engineering? – Engineering is the art of making practical application of the knowledge of pure science. Engineering is a creative discipline but the end result is often intended to be durable, useful, abundant, and safe. – Engineering art is not produced for museums, but intended to infiltrate the world. What do the engineers do? What is the difference between engineers and the scientists?

Outcome of Medical enhancement

Major causes of death How to improve the life expectancy? -Cure of Cancer -Cure of Carido-vascular diseases What was the major causes of death few centuries back, e.g., around 17 th century? -Infectious diseases How biomedical engineers contribute to proliferation of antibiotic, penicillin, erythromycin, and vaccine?

Process of biomedical engineering enhancement

Process for BME development German glassblower F. E. Muller. developed the contact lenses for the eyes These early lenses were difficult to make (and therefore expensive), and they were not well tolerated by the eye Study of the response of the eye to the presence of these materials revealed new aspects of eye physiology, – the eye’s nonspherical geometry and the circulation pathway for tears. – New materials were developed especially for lenses; plastics were particularly valuable. – Long wear contact lenses required an understanding of the cornea’s need for oxygen. Contact lenses are Manufactured from synthetic oxygen-permeable materials using computer-aided techniques; the manufacturing process is inexpensive and reliable enough to render the lenses disposable.

Example demonstrates This example also demonstrates the kinds of science that a biomedical engineer must master: – physics (e.g., light refraction and mechanics); anatomy; – physiology (e.g., tear production and circulation) – materials science; – immunology (e.g., the body’s response to foreign materials); – mathematics (e.g., evaluation of oxygen diffusion).

Sub-Discipline System Biology and bioinformatics Physiological modeling Biomechanics Biomedical instrumentation and sensors Biomedical imaging Biomolecular engineering and biotechnology Artificial Organs Reading Assignment: Chapter (Section , Saltzman)