Medical Electronics, a Rapidly Expanding Field

Abstract

Of all medical specialists, the radiologist undoubtedly is most concerned with electronics. His interest developed originally because a special type of electron tube—the x-ray tube—formed the basic component of his specialty. The recent introduction of electronic x-ray control devices and image intensifiers has emphasized for him the importance of this field. A large number of electronic technics have not been applied to medical problems because the exchange of information between physicians and electronic engineers has been inadequate. Electronic engineers should be aware of the medical problems in which electronics can be of help and members of the medical profession should know where and how to present their problems to the engineers. There are in existence two engineering groups—the Committee on Electrical Techniques in Medicine and Biology and the Professional Group on Medical Electronics —whose raison d'être is to facilitate this doctor-engineer communication. It is the purpose of this editorial to present some information concerning these groups and their activities. About 1932 the American Institute of Electrical Engineers formally recognized the importance of using electrical technics in medicine by sponsoring a discussion on electromedical problems. The interest aroused by this discussion resulted in a national Annual Conference on Electrical Techniques in Medicine and Biology under the joint sponsorship of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the Institute of Radio Engineers, and the Instrument Society of America. E. Dale Trout has been Program Chairman of the Conference for several years. At the Seventh Annual Meeting, in 1954, an entire session was devoted to the subject of x-rays and instrumentation. Dr. J. W. J. Carpender, Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, was Chairman of this session, at which a paper was presented by Russell H. Morgan and Ralph Sturm on “The Electronic Fluoroscope of the Television Type.” Two other papers of interest to radiologists were read: “ Progress Report on Cinefluorography Using Image Brightness Intensification” and “Xerography.” The Eighth Annual Conference, to be held in Washington, D. C., in November 1955, will feature a session on instrumentation for angiocardiography. In 1952 the Professional Group on Medical Electronics was formed by the Institute of Radio Engineers, the national professional organization of electronic engineers. This group is one of the twentythree professional groups within the framework of the parent organization. Each group represents a field of special interest, somewhat analogous to a medical “specialty.” The Professional Group on Medical Electronics is concerned with the application of electronic technics to medical problems, and now has among its more than 1,500 members electronic engineers, physicians, biologists, and physicists.