Biomedical Engineering Basics

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering is the application of engineering principles and techniques to medical and biological systems.

Subfields

• Biomechanics: application of mechanical principles to medical and biological systems
• Biomaterials: development and application of materials for medical devices and implants
• Biomedical imaging: development and application of imaging technologies for medical diagnosis and treatment
• Biomedical instrumentation: design and development of medical instruments and devices
• Tissue engineering: development of biological substitutes for repair or replacement of damaged tissues

Applications

• Medical devices: development of devices such as pacemakers, artificial joints, and implantable sensors
• Prosthetics: development of artificial limbs and organs
• Rehabilitation engineering: development of devices and systems to aid in patient rehabilitation
• Pharmaceuticals: development of new drugs and delivery systems
• Regenerative medicine: development of therapies to repair or replace damaged tissues

Key Concepts

• Biocompatibility: the ability of a material or device to interact with biological systems without causing harm
• Biomechanics: the study of the mechanical properties of living tissues
• Biosensors: devices that detect and measure biological signals
• Tissue engineering scaffolds: three-dimensional structures used to support tissue growth and development

Tools and Techniques

• Computational modeling: use of computer simulations to model and analyze biological systems
• Biomaterials synthesis: development of new materials for biomedical applications
• Microfabrication: development of micro-scale devices and systems
• Imaging techniques: use of imaging technologies such as MRI, CT, and PET scans to diagnose and treat diseases

Biomedical Engineering

• Biomedical engineering applies engineering principles and techniques to medical and biological systems.

Subfields

• Biomechanics applies mechanical principles to medical and biological systems.
• Biomaterials involves developing and applying materials for medical devices and implants.
• Biomedical imaging develops and applies imaging technologies for medical diagnosis and treatment.
• Biomedical instrumentation designs and develops medical instruments and devices.
• Tissue engineering develops biological substitutes for repairing or replacing damaged tissues.

Applications

• Medical devices include pacemakers, artificial joints, and implantable sensors.
• Prosthetics involves developing artificial limbs and organs.
• Rehabilitation engineering develops devices and systems to aid in patient rehabilitation.
• Pharmaceuticals involves developing new drugs and delivery systems.
• Regenerative medicine develops therapies to repair or replace damaged tissues.

Key Concepts

• Biocompatibility refers to a material or device's ability to interact with biological systems without causing harm.
• Biomechanics studies the mechanical properties of living tissues.
• Biosensors detect and measure biological signals.
• Tissue engineering scaffolds are three-dimensional structures that support tissue growth and development.

Tools and Techniques

• Computational modeling uses computer simulations to model and analyze biological systems.
• Biomaterials synthesis develops new materials for biomedical applications.
• Microfabrication develops micro-scale devices and systems.
• Imaging techniques use technologies like MRI, CT, and PET scans to diagnose and treat diseases.