▪ An overview of the history of Biomedical Engineering

History of Biomedical Engineering

The objective of this lecture is to provide:

▪ An overview of the history of Biomedical Engineering

▪ Some of the critical inventions/discoveries that has shaped the modern medicine

▪ The profession that Biomedical Engineering has

become today

S. Waldman CHEE 340

Chronology

Prior to the 1900’s:

▪

Medicine has little to offer the common individual

▪

At the turn of the 20^th century, advances in almost all areas of science enabled medical researchers to make giant strides forward

Early 1900’s:

▪

First advances in medical diagnostics and imaging

▪

In 1896 Roentgen developed X-ray imaging

» initially used for the diagnosis of bone fractures

» technology has evolved today to visual all organ systems (with the use of radio-opaque materials)

Roentgen’s X-Rays

Radiograph of the hand of Albert von Kolliker, made at the

conclusion of Roentgen's lecture and demonstration at the

Wurzburg Physical-Medical Society on 23 January 1896 Later, Roentgen went on to win the first Nobel Prize in 1901 for his invention

S. Waldman CHEE 340

Chronology

Early 1900’s:

▪

In 1906 Einthoven developed the electrocardiogram (ECG)

» pattern of electrical charges in the heart during contraction

» diagnostic tool that is still used today

Einthoven’s ECG

Later, Einthoven went on to win the Nobel Prize in 1924 for his invention

Familiar trace of the modern ECG used to diagnosis various heart problems and conditions Capillary galvanoscope used by Einthoven (slightly different

configuration). Mercury droplet in the horizontal tube moves under the influence of an electric field applied to the two electrodes

S. Waldman CHEE 340

Chronology

1920’s:

▪

Saw the development of refrigeration which lead to the process of storing blood

▪

In 1929 Drinkler invented the first mechanical respirator (a.k.a. “iron lung”)

Drinkler’s Respirator (“Iron Lung”)

First widely used mechanical device capable of artificial respiration to treat victims of respiratory paralysis. The

patient’s entire body, excluding the head, was placed in a sealed tank. Tank pressure was

increased and decreased to

move air into and out of the lungs to simulate normal respiration.

S. Waldman CHEE 340

Chronology

1930’s:

▪

Development of the heart-lung machine (Gibson circa 1935)

» artificial device for shunting blood flow outside of the patient by bypass the heart and lungs to allowing for more effective heart surgery (i.e. heart could be stopped)

▪

Development of the electron microscope (Ruska circa 1931)

» providing the first real ability to visualize sub-cellular structures

Chronology

1940’s and 1950’s:

▪

Saw major developments in cardiovascular medicine

▪

Development of angiography (Cournand 1941)

» First local visualization of arteries and veins using a catheter and radio-opaque dyes in a living subject

▪

First use of the artificial tissue replacements (DeBakey 1954)

» synthetic artery grafts (Dacron polyester)

▪

Invention of the pacemaker (Zoll 1955)

» implantable assist device to recreate the natural rhythm of the heart to initiate natural contractions

S. Waldman CHEE 340

What is Biomedical Engineering?

Many different titles have been used to for engineers working in the medical/biological industry:

▪

Biomedical Engineering

▪

Biological Engineering

▪

Clinical Engineering

▪

Bioengineering

Bioengineering

Broad research-related field spanning biotechnology and genetics related to all biological fields

▪

Food and Agriculture (Biological Engineering)

▪

Medical and diagnostic tests

▪

Development of vaccines, enzymes, antibody production

▪

Environmental (e.g. bioremediation)

▪

Basic sciences (e.g. protein interactions with surfaces)

S. Waldman CHEE 340

Biomedical Engineering

Application of engineering principles to understand, modify or control human biological systems

▪

Detection and monitoring of physiological signals

▪

Therapeutics and rehabilitation devices/procedures

▪

Devices for replacement/augmentation of bodily functions

▪

Medical imaging

When principles are applied in a hospital setting with

the direct application to patient care, this is referred as

to the profession of Clinical Engineering

Professional Status

Professional licensing (P.Eng.) of Biomedical

Engineers in Canada falls under the jurisdiction of the

Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB)

Similarly, in the States professional licensing for

Biomedical Engineers falls under the Accreditation

Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

S. Waldman CHEE 340

Biomedical Engineering Societies

Engineering and Medical Biological Society (EMBS)

▪

Offshoot of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineering (IEEE)

▪

International society with over 8,000 members world-wide

▪

Hold annual conferences

International Federation of Medical and Biomedical Engineering (IFMBS)

▪

International federation of various Biomedical Engineering societies with over 5,000 members world-wide

▪

Hold annual conferences and sponsor their own journal

▪

Official consultant to the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO)

Academic Research Societies

Numerous other academic research societies also include Biomedical Engineering:

▪

Society for Biomaterials

▪

Society for Biomechanics

▪

Orthopaedic Research Society

▪

Tissue Engineering Society International

▪

Heart and Stroke Foundation

▪

Arthritis Society

▪

International Cartilage Research Society

▪

and many, many, more…

S. Waldman CHEE 340

Summary

Biomedical Engineering is an inter-/multi-disciplinary field that applies engineering principles to medicine with the aim of providing better heath care

Biomedical Engineering has its own professional status

and is regulated a profession