of interest and effort between them. For example, biomedical engineers engaged in the development of bio sensors may interact with those interested in prosthetic devices to develop a means to detect and use the same bioelectric signal to power a prosthetic device. Those engaged in automating the clinical chemistry laboratory may collaborate with those developing expert systems to assist clinicians in making clinical decisions based upon specific laboratory data. The possibilities are endless There are seven major career areas in biomedical engineering: (1)application of engineering system analysis and modeling(computer simulation) to biological problems;(2)measurement or monitoring of physiological signals;(3)diagnostic interpretation via signal processing techniques of bioelectric data;(4)therapeutic and rehabilitation procedures and devices; (5) prosthetic devices for replacement or augmentation of bodily func tions;(6)computer analysis of patient-related data; and(7)medical imaging, i.e., the graphic display of anatomical detail or physiological function. Biomedical engineers, therefore, engage in the following pursuits Design of instrumentation for human physiology research nd maintenance of life in space Research in new materials for implanted artificial organs for blood analysis Computer modeling of the function of the human heart Writing software for analysis of medical research data Analysis of medical device hazards for the U.S. government Monitoring the physiological functions of animals Design of telemetry systems for patient monitoring Design of biomedical sensors for measurement of human physiological systems variables Research on artificial intelligence(AI)and development of expert systems for diagnosis of diseases Design of closed-loop control systems for drug administration Modeling of the physiological systems of the human bod Development of new dental materials Design of computers and communication aids for the handicapped Research in pulmonary fluid dynamics(biorheology) This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, for there are many other applications that utilize the talents and skills of the biomedical engineer. In fact, the list of activities of biomedical engineers depends upon the medical environment in which they work. This is especially true for the"clinical engineers, "i.e, biomedical engineers employed in hospitals or clinical settings. The utilization of biomedical engineers offers great potential benefit in the identification of problems and needs of our present health care delivery system that can be solved using existing engineering technology and stems methodology. Consequently, the field of biomedical engineering offers hope in the continuing battle to provide high-quality health care at reasonable cost. The purpose of this section, therefore, is to provide a broad overview of biomedical engineering topics of interest to electrical engineers c 2000 by CRC Press LLC© 2000 by CRC Press LLC of interest and effort between them. For example, biomedical engineers engaged in the development of bio￾sensors may interact with those interested in prosthetic devices to develop a means to detect and use the same bioelectric signal to power a prosthetic device. Those engaged in automating the clinical chemistry laboratory may collaborate with those developing expert systems to assist clinicians in making clinical decisions based upon specific laboratory data. The possibilities are endless. There are seven major career areas in biomedical engineering: (1) application of engineering system analysis and modeling (computer simulation) to biological problems; (2) measurement or monitoring of physiological signals; (3) diagnostic interpretation via signal processing techniques of bioelectric data; (4) therapeutic and rehabilitation procedures and devices; (5) prosthetic devices for replacement or augmentation of bodily func￾tions; (6) computer analysis of patient-related data; and (7) medical imaging, i.e., the graphic display of anatomical detail or physiological function. Biomedical engineers, therefore, engage in the following pursuits: • Design of instrumentation for human physiology research • Monitoring astronauts and maintenance of life in space • Research in new materials for implanted artificial organs • Development of new diagnostic instruments for blood analysis • Computer modeling of the function of the human heart • Writing software for analysis of medical research data • Analysis of medical device hazards for the U.S. government • Monitoring the physiological functions of animals • Development of new diagnostic imaging systems • Design of telemetry systems for patient monitoring • Design of biomedical sensors for measurement of human physiological systems variables • Research on artificial intelligence (AI) and development of expert systems for diagnosis of diseases • Design of closed-loop control systems for drug administration • Modeling of the physiological systems of the human body • Design of instrumentation for sports medicine • Development of new dental materials • Design of computers and communication aids for the handicapped • Research in pulmonary fluid dynamics (biorheology) • Study of the biomechanics of the human body This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, for there are many other applications that utilize the talents and skills of the biomedical engineer. In fact, the list of activities of biomedical engineers depends upon the medical environment in which they work. This is especially true for the “clinical engineers,” i.e., biomedical engineers employed in hospitals or clinical settings. The utilization of biomedical engineers offers great potential benefit in the identification of problems and needs of our present health care delivery system that can be solved using existing engineering technology and systems methodology. Consequently, the field of biomedical engineering offers hope in the continuing battle to provide high-quality health care at reasonable cost. The purpose of this section, therefore, is to provide a broad overview of biomedical engineering topics of interest to electrical engineers