Transcript 2010.09.27

An Overview of Biomedical
Engineering
(What I wish I knew when I was your age)
Jesse Yen
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What is biomedical
engineering?
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“BME is a discipline that advances
knowledge in engineering, biology, and
medicine, and improves human health
through cross-disciplinary activities that
integrate the engineering sciences with
the biomedical sciences and clinical
practice”
Whitaker Foundation
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What is biomedical
engineering?
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Engineering is still engineering.
Biomedical is just the adjective.
Engineering is the noun.
It is not that different from other
disciplines.
The application is different.
Greater impact?
biomedical
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What do biomedical engineers
do?
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Bioinstrumentation is the application of
electronics and measurement
techniques to develop devices used in
diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Computers are an essential part of
bioinstrumentation (microprocessor,
microcomputer).
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Bioinstrumentation
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What do biomedical engineers
do?
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Biomaterials include both living tissue and artificial
materials used for implantation.
Certain metal alloys, ceramics, polymers, and
composites have been used as implantable
materials. Nontoxic, non-carcinogenic, chemically
inert, stable, and mechanically strong enough to
withstand the repeated forces of a lifetime (alloys,
ceramics, polymers).
Newer biomaterials even incorporate living cells in
order to provide a true biological and mechanical
match for the living tissue.
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Biomaterials
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What do biomedical engineers
do?
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Cellular, Tissue, and Genetic Engineering
involve more recent attempts to attack
biomedical problems at the microscopic level.
Applies biochemistry, cell mechanics to
understand disease processes when the first
form.
Miniaturized drug delivery devices at precise
locations.
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Cellular, Tissue, Genetic
Engineering
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What do biomedical engineers
do?
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Medical Imaging combines knowledge of a
unique physical phenomenon (sound,
radiation, magnetism, etc.) with high speed
electronic data processing, analysis and
display to generate an image.
Often, these images can be obtained with
minimal or completely noninvasive
procedures, making them less painful and
more readily repeatable than invasive
techniques.
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Medical Imaging
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What do biomedical engineers
do?
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Orthopedic bioengineering is the specialty where
methods of engineering and computational
mechanics have been applied for the understanding
of the function of bones, joints and muscles, and for
the design of artificial joint replacements.
Analyze forces applied on the body.
Design biomaterials for replacement of bone,
tendons, cartilage.
Gait and motion analysis for sports.
Injury prevention
Rehabilitation.
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Orthopedics/Biomechanics
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What do biomedical engineers
do?
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Systems physiology is the term used to describe that
aspect of biomedical engineering in which
engineering strategies, techniques and tools are used
to gain an understanding of the function of living
organisms ranging from bacteria to humans.
Computer modeling (data analysis, mathematical
descriptions).
Predictor models (drug therapy).
Living systems have highly regulated feedback
control systems (metabolism, limb movements).
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Systems Physiology
and Computer Modeling
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Research at USC – Neural
Engineering
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Research at USC –
Imaging/Devices
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BME: Interdisciplinary
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The areas of research
mentioned above are
inter-related.
Pacemaker needs good
instrumentation (pacing
capability, sensing,
instrumentation).
Pacemaker is implanted
and therefore must be
biocompatible
(biomaterials).
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How do I know if BME is for
me?
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If you are interested in math and
science and have a particular interest in
biology and/or medicine, then BME may
be for you.
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What if I don’t major in BME?
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If you are still interested in BME but are
more interested in another discipline,
go ahead and major in the other
discipline.
BME needs good EEs, MEs, ChemEs,
etc.
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Typical BME Curriculum (Yrs.
1-2)
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Calculus (2)
Chemistry (2)
Intro to BME
Writing
Humanities
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Calculus
Physics
Computer
Programming
Physics (2)
Biology
Curriculum is quite similar to other
engineering majors.
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Typical BME Curriculum (Yrs.
3-4)
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Organic chemistry
Circuits
Medical Electronics
Statistics
Biomechanics
Electives
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Biology
Biomaterials
Physiological systems
Instrumentation
Electives
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING IS STILL
ENGINEERING AT ITS CORE.
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Careers for BMEs
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Sales, product test (Bachelor’s)
Research and Development ( Master’s
and Ph.D.)
The United States Department of Labor
reports that “the number of biomedical
engineering jobs will increase by 71
percent through 2018.”
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Careers for BME
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More variety than other disciplines.
http://bme.usc.edu/alumni/alumniinformation.htm
Lawyer
Doctor
Businessman/woman
Politician
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Sources
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www.bmes.org
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging
and Bioengineering (NIH- NIBIB)
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Summary
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BME is a fascinating field with a wide range of
activity. Brief overview is presented.
BMEs are involved with improving people’s
lives with better health care technology.
BME uses fundamental engineering concepts
to solve biomedical problems.
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