Biosensors & Bioinstrumentation
Modern health care relies heavily on a large array of sophisticated medical instrumentation to diagnose health problems, to monitor patient condition and administer therapeutic treatments, most often in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner. During the past decade, computers have become an essential part of modern bioinstrumentation, from the microprocessor in a single-purpose instrument used to do a variety of small tasks to the desk-top microcomputer needed to process the large amount of clinical information acquired from patients.
A biomedical engineer is not simply a user of measurement technology, but an active participant in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Hence, the Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation track of our program focuses on training students to design, test, and use sensors and biomedical instrumentation in humans and animals to further enhance the quality of health care. Emphasis is placed both on understanding the physiological systems involved in the generation of the measured variable or affected by therapeutic equipment as well as the engineering principles of new sensors and advanced measurement devices. This track provides an excellent training experience that prepares students for careers in industry, higher education as well as medical school.
Examples of common biomedical sensors, devices, and instrumentation developed by biomedical engineers and used routinely in medicine include:
- Blood chemistry sensors (e.g. electrolytes, O2, CO2, pH, glucose)
- Specialized instrumentation for genetic testing
- Physical sensors (e.g. pressure, temperature, flow)
- Electrical sensors (electrodes)
- Electrocardiographs (a device that measures the electrical activity of the heart)
- Electroencephalograph (a device that measures the electrical activities of the brain)
- Electromyography (a device that measures the electrical activities of muscles)
- Mechanical respirator
- Cardiac pacemaker
- Defibrillators
- Artificial heart
- Pulse oximeters
- Ultrasonic equipment
- Imaging scanners (nuclear cameras, CAT, MRI)
- Drug infusion and insulin pumps
- Electrosurgical equipment
- Heart-lung machine
- Anesthesia machine
- Kidney dialysis machine
- Specialized equipment used by disabled people (e.g. hearing aids)
- Laser systems for eye surgery
More Information...
For undergraduate students: If you are interested in developing an undergraduate program of study in Biomedical Sensors and Instrumentation, you should consult both the general advising guidelines and the specific guidelines for biomedical sensors and instrumentation. You should also read about projects and research opportunities in biomedical sensors and instrumentation to learn more about the type of research being done at WPI and UMMS. If you require more general information about career and educational options, please read the general discussion about What is BME?. For a full description of the undergraduate program in BME, please see the section on undergraduate programs.
For graduate students: Graduate students should consult the graduate programs section and read about the individual faculty research being done in the area of Biomedical Sensors and Instrumentation here at WPI and at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS). Because the most important component of a graduate education is research, you should pay particular attention to the different research opportunities available to you in the area of biomedical sensors and instrumentation.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: August 21, 2008 14:00:04