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The document provides an overview of the history and evolution of Biomedical Engineering, highlighting key inventions such as X-ray imaging, the electrocardiogram, and the artificial respirator. It discusses the development of various medical technologies and the establishment of professional societies that support the field. Biomedical Engineering is defined as the application of engineering principles to healthcare, with a focus on improving patient care and health outcomes.

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Taha Mahmoud
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6 views

history

The document provides an overview of the history and evolution of Biomedical Engineering, highlighting key inventions such as X-ray imaging, the electrocardiogram, and the artificial respirator. It discusses the development of various medical technologies and the establishment of professional societies that support the field. Biomedical Engineering is defined as the application of engineering principles to healthcare, with a focus on improving patient care and health outcomes.

Uploaded by

Taha Mahmoud
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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 20th 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)

S. Waldman CHEE 340


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

S. Waldman CHEE 340


Einthoven’s ECG
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

Familiar trace of the modern


ECG used to diagnosis various
heart problems and conditions

Later, Einthoven went on to win


the Nobel Prize in 1924 for his
invention

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”)

S. Waldman CHEE 340


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

S. Waldman CHEE 340


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

S. Waldman CHEE 340


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

S. Waldman CHEE 340


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)

S. Waldman CHEE 340


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

S. Waldman CHEE 340

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