Biomedical Engineering Program Research Articles

Virtual instruments in undergraduate biomedical engineering laboratories.

It is anticipated that many undergraduate biomedical engineering (BME) students will seek jobs in industry following graduation. Therefore, it is imperative that BME programs establish a learning environment that exposes students to modem tools and equipment that best prepare them for an industrial setting. BME laboratory courses using PC-based virtual instruments can prepare students for real-world experience with minimal cost and risk. This article details various approaches for incorporating undergraduate BME laboratories in the curriculum and the use of virtual instruments. In particular, we discuss the motivations for and approaches to implementing virtual instruments and also describe a number of virtual instrument applications.

ERBIUM:YAG VERSUS HOLMIUM:YAG LITHOTRIPSY

We test the hypothesis that erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) lithotripsy is more efficient than holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) lithotripsy. Human calculi composed of greater than 97% calcium oxalate monohydrate and cystine were studied. Calculi were irradiated in water using Er:YAG or Ho:YAG lasers. Er:YAG lithotripsy was done with a 425 microm sapphire optical fiber at a pulse energy of 50 mJ at 10 Hz. Ho:YAG lithotripsy was performed with a 365 microm low hydroxy optical fiber at a pulse energy of 500 mJ at 10 Hz or a 425 microm sapphire optical fiber at a pulse energy of 50 mJ at 10 Hz. Fragmentation was defined as the initial stone mass minus the final dominant fragment mass and normalized for incident laser fluence (energy per unit area of fiber tip). Mean fragmentation plus or minus standard deviation for calcium oxalate monohydrate was 38 +/- 27 mg for Er:YAG and 22 +/- 6 for Ho:YAG (low hydroxy silica fiber) versus 5 +/- 1 for Ho:YAG (sapphire fiber, p = 0.001). When fragmentation was normalized for incident laser fluence given different optical fiber sizes, mean fragmentation efficiency was 53.6 +/- 38.7 g-microm2/J for Er:YAG lithotripsy compared with 22.6 +/- 6.4 for Ho:YAG (low hydroxy silica fiber) lithotripsy (p = 0.04). Mean cystine fragmentation was 15 +/- 3 mg for Er:YAG versus 9 +/- 1 for Ho:YAG (sapphire fiber, p = 0.0005). Er:YAG lithotripsy is more efficient than Ho:YAG lithotripsy.

The necessity for acoustics in the biomedical engineering program

Biomedical engineering constitutes the fastest growing segment of all engineering fields. In order to effectively deal with a wide variety of engineering problems, the biomedical engineer needs to be a ‘‘jack of all trades’’ insofar that he or she should be able to meet challenging problems in mechanics, electronics, thermal analyses, fluid mechanics, materials, manufacturing techniques, etc. In the medical field, acoustics (particularly ultrasound) is used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and new devices are continuously being developed to provide better diagnostic imaging or more effective therapy. As a part of the biomedical engineering program, undergraduate and graduate students need to gain better understanding of acoustical physics, the effects of sound and ultrasound on living organisms, the principles of measurements, imaging processes, and data analysis concepts. Laboratory experience is essential, and practical experience in a teaching medical hospital would definitely be salutary. The time constraint imposed by a four-year undergraduate program, which also needs to meet ABET criteria, effectively limits the expository scope, and it follows that additional, more intensive training may be better achieved through post-baccalaureate (master’s degree and doctoral levels) programs.

Focus on: ORBIS International Flying Eye Hospital, Department of Technical Services.

The ORBIS International Flying Eye Hospital is dedicated to restoring sight to the blind through medical education programs in developing countries. The modification of a DC-10 aircraft to house a teaching hospital for ophthalmic surgery involved a variety of engineering challenges to satisfy standards for both hospital and aircraft safety. The Technical Services Department maintains all medical equipment on the aircraft, encountering situations not found in traditional clinical engineering departments. Technical education is also an important part of the ORBIS biomedical engineering program. Future plans include expansion of existing technical training efforts, as well as using technology to improve the medical education program as a whole.

Profile of a BMET (biomedical equipment technician) in small hospitals.

A survey was done of biomedical engineering programs in hospitals of under 100 beds. A random sampling of 400 hospitals was selected from the American Hospital Association Guidebook. Questions were asked with regard to the size, educational background and experience of the biomedical engineering staff. The organizational location of the program was surveyed, and most programs were part of facility engineering. Programs are discussed as full-time, part-time and outside service contracts. An in-depth analysis of the educational and training background of BMETs has been done. This part of the study covered the type of training and what additional training they felt they required.

Biomedical engineering in China. A look at the growth of the BME Society, and advanced education

In 1978 the Chinese Institute of Electronics asked Dr Qin to organise the Chinese Biomedical Engineering Society. Looking back on 14 years of the Society's history, 13 conferences have been held, and more than 600 technical papers presented. Student paper competitions stimulated students and young investigators to attend the conference and join the Society. The authors also discuss formal BME education including accreditation and curricula. The universities which have BME programs can be mainly classified into two categories: (1) universities of science and engineering, (2) universities of medical science. The curricula can also be divided into: (1) engineering oriented, and (2) clinically oriented. Most engineering oriented curricula are based on electronic engineering around a central task of instrumentation design. Besides the engineering courses, basic anatomy and physiology are offered for the purpose of communication with physicians. Most clinical oriented curricula are executed in medical schools, they are based on the applications of medical instruments and computers, but the hospital internship is a special required subject. Todays typical BME faculty differs quite significantly from the faculties that began the BME effort in China. Members tend to be interdiciplinarians, capable of understanding a broad range of areas. A significant number are bearers of graduate degrees, both bachelors and masters, from both inside and outside of China. Nearly 300 students are presently enrolled in the country's biomedical engineering programs. >

Teaching of ethics in biomedical engineering.

The teaching of ethics in biomedical engineering is discussed with particular reference to the teaching of ethical principles in the B.S. Biomedical Engineering program at Louisiana Tech University. Consideration is given to such issues as organ transplantation and artificial organs, conducting research in new biomedical technology, the costs of health care, and developing and regulating new technology. >

An expert system in neurology: assisting the intern in the examination of the motor system : P.S. Aiex, S.I.J. Gieseler and A.F.C. Infantosi (Biomedical Engineering Program - COPPE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

An expert system in neurology: assisting the intern in the examination of the motor system : P.S. Aiex, S.I.J. Gieseler and A.F.C. Infantosi (Biomedical Engineering Program - COPPE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Source derivation of EEG digital signals: applying the finite difference method with a non-uniform grid : A.C.G. Almeida and A. F. C. Infantosi (Biomedical Engineering Program - COPPE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Source derivation of EEG digital signals: applying the finite difference method with a non-uniform grid : A.C.G. Almeida and A. F. C. Infantosi (Biomedical Engineering Program - COPPE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Quantitative EEG system with brain electrical activity mapping for a personal computer : A.S. Avila, R. Piedade, J. Nadal and A.F. Infantosi (Biomedical Engineering Program - COPPE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Quantitative EEG system with brain electrical activity mapping for a personal computer : A.S. Avila, R. Piedade, J. Nadal and A.F. Infantosi (Biomedical Engineering Program - COPPE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Biomedical engineering: Drexel University-pioneer in a formal MS degree training program for doctors

A description is given of the Drexel-Presbyterian Hospital Program, established in 1959 to provide the first MS program in biomedical engineering. The goal was to provide a program where life scientists could obtain a rigorous knowledge of physical sciences and engineers could similarly obtain a rigorous knowledge of medical science. Significant milestones in the history of the program are discussed.

Biomedical engineering management of Novacor left ventricular assist system (LVAS) patients.

As the number of cardiac transplant centres increases, there is an associated decrease in the availability of donor organs per centre. Subsequently, hospitals are utilizing cardiac assist systems (total artificial heart and ventricular assist devices) as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. Because of the engineering complexities related to the clinical implantation and follow up of these devices, a successful centre should have a well co-ordinated biomedical engineering programme. These engineers are responsible for the calibration, monitoring, and continued operation of these units. This paper is intended to serve as a guide to any centre interested in utilizing total artificial heart and ventricular assist systems, in particular the Novacor left ventricular assist system, and focuses on the management and function of the biomedical engineering component of our cardiac assist programme.

Should there be a formal mechanical-optic-electronic biomedical-engineering program?

To progress in the development of laser medicine and laser surgery, multidisciplinary efforts are required. One important phase in its development is the laser biomedical engineering program being offered following the basic laboratory research. Some of this type of programming is present today, but more development is needed for a formal program offering crossfertilization between engineering and medical uses. Therefore, a formal program is being proposed, which will be reviewed by mixed groups over a period of time. A final recommendation will indicate whether to go ahead with this revision of the program, to wait for further development of the program, or to maintain the status quo. The relationship of technical training for technicians in laser biomedical engineering is also reviewed.

The Universty of Texas at Austin Biomedical Engineering Program

The Universty of Texas at Austin Biomedical Engineering Program

Bioengineering education, 1986-Part II.

This paper presents an overview of the biomedical engineering programs located in the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Two-year, four-year, and graduate programs are described, including contact information, course requirements, and prerequisites. As Part II of the Journal's continuing series on education, the intent of the paper is not to evaluate each program, but to illustrate the breadth of biomedical and related engineering education programs available today and to serve as a useful reference to such programs.

Bioengineering education, 1986--Part I.

This paper, as Part I of a continuing series in Bioengineering Education, reviews eighteen various college level programs in the Western United States. Two-year, four-year, and graduate programs are discussed, but an evaluation or comparison is not made. Rather, the intent of this paper is to illustrate, by region, the variety and breadth of Bioengineering Education available today in the U.S. and Canada. Each school is listed separately; contact information and the types of degrees granted are included. The requirements of each school are also presented.

Recording Doppler blood flow signals on magnetic tape

A European multi-centre trial of blood flow measurement by ultrasound has been organised under the auspices of the biomedical engineering programme of the European Community (Beneken et al., J. Med., Eng. Tech., vol.9, p.61-8, 1985). The programme includes analysis of Doppler blood flow signals that have been recorded on cassette tapes using standard domestic tape recorders. A pilot study has shown that the standard of the data replayed from tape is very variable and this communication examines the reasons for this, and suggests a solution.

The European Concerted Research Project on identification and characterization of biological tissues by nuclear magnetic resonance.

Editors’ note: This is the first of a series of articles on the 17 projects in the European Community's biomedical engineering programme. Dr Podo is Project Leader for ‘Imaging techniques—nuclear magnetic resonance’; the project's objectives being ‘the identification and characterization of biological tissues by NMR. Methods of operation are the development of standardized methods for measuring NMR relaxation properties; the development of test objects; collection of NMR relaxation data and associated histopathological and biochemical information; and assessment of the safety of NMR in clinical use’. The Community's full programme, together with an explanation of the history and organisation of the EC, was described in our last issue (Vol. 9, No. 2, p. 61) by Jan E. W. Beneken, B. H. Brown and W. Skupinski.

Biomedical engineering programme of the European Community.

The objective of this article is to inform readers of the European Community's programme of work on medical engineering research. An outline of the history of the European Community and its research programme is given. More specific information is then included on the current programme of work and, finally, an Appendix is given naming the national delegates to whom comments can be addressed and from whom further information can be obtained.

The Development of Biomedical Engineering: Historical Comments and Personal Observations

The historical development of biomedical engineering and biophysics in the United States is summarized as experienced by the author, concentrating on the early decades until about 1970. Sections include: Early Developments and First Institutions; Early Initiatives and Committees of the IRE and AIEE Since 1947; Development of Biophysics in the USA; The IEEE Society for Engineering in Medicine and Biology and the Drive for a Bioengineering Society; The Development of the Biomedical Engineering Society; Some Other Biomedical Engineering Societies; The NIH Initiative for the Development of Biomedical Engineering; First Academic Programs in Biomedical Engineering in the USA; International Interdisciplinary Organizations; and Some Conclusions and Recommendations.