Department of Biomedical Engineering

• Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • FACULTY
    • Primary Appointments
    • Secondary Appointments
    • Adjunct Appointments
  • UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
    • Biomedical Engineering Specialty Electives
    • Minor in Biomedical Engineering
  • GRADUATE PROGRAMS
  • RESEARCH AREAS
    • Applied Neural Control/Rehabilitation Engineering
    • Biomaterials/Tissue Engineering
    • Biomedical Image Processing and Analysis
    • Biomedical & Biochemical Sensors
    • Cardio Bioelectricity
    • Transport & Metabolic Systems Engineering
  • FACILITIES
  • UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
  • GRADUATE COURSES
  • BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING DEGREE MAJOR IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING a
  • Common BME Specialty Sequences
    • Biomedical Computing & Imaging
    • Biomedical Systems & Control
    • Clinical Engineering

Department of Biomedical Engineering

504 Wickenden Building (7207)
phone 368-4063; fax 368-4969
Gerald Saidel; e-mail: gms3@po.cwru.edu

Biomedical engineering (BME) uniquely integrates engineering, physical and mathematical sciences, technology, biomedical sciences and clinical applications. Biomedical engineers contribute to better health care (a) by developing devices and procedures for diagnosis and therapy, (b) by research that quantifies biomedical systems and processes, and (c) by effective management of medical technology.

A formal Department of Biomedical Engineering was established at CWRU in 1967 as one of the pioneer programs in the world. It has been a leader in the field and ranks among the largest and most prestigious. As an independent department in both the Case School of Engineering and the School of Medicine, BME at CWRU offers students exceptional opportunities to interact with faculty.

A central educational objective of our programs is to ensure that students develop the depth and breadth in engineering necessary to solve biomedical problems. Training in biomedical engineering leads to employment in industry, hospitals, research centers, and universities. Biomedical engineering can also provide the basis for careers in medicine and other professions.

FACULTY

Primary Appointments

Gerald M. Saidel, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins University)

Ravi V. Bellamkonda (Brown University)

Patrick E. Crago, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Dominique Durand, Ph.D. (University of Toronto, Canada)

Janie M. Fouke, Ph.D. (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)

Miklos Gratzl, Ph.D. (Technical University of Budapest, Hungary)

J. Lawrence Katz, Ph.D. (Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn)

Roger Marchant, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

J. Thomas Mortimer, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

P. Hunter Peckham, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Yoram Rudy, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Cecil W. Thomas, Ph.D. (University of Texas, Austin)

W. Sanford Topham, Ph.D. (University of Utah)

David L. Wilson, Ph.D. (Rice University)

Secondary Appointments

James M. Anderson, Ph.D.(Oregon State University), M.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Ronald L. Cechner, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Howard J. Chizeck, Sc.D. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

David Dean, Ph.D. (City University of New York)

Louis F. Dell'Osso, Ph.D. (University of Wyoming)

Pedro J. Diaz, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Jeffrey L. Duerk, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

David George, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania)

Joseph Izatt, Ph.D. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Michael W. Keith, M.D. (Ohio State University)

R. John Leigh, M.D. (University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, U.K.)

Jerome Liebman, M.D. (Harvard University)

E. Byron Marsolais, M.D., Ph.D. (University of Iowa)

Paul J. Martin, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Raymond F. Muzic, Jr., Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Dennis A. Nelson, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Michael R. Neuman, Ph.D., M.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

David S. Rosenbaum, M.D. (University of Illinois, Chicago)

Mark S. Rzeszotarski, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Ronald J. Triolo, Ph.D. (Drexel University)

Clayton L. Van Doren, Ph.D. (Syracuse University)

Albert L. Waldo, M.D. (State University of New York)

Nicholas P. Ziats, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Adjunct Appointments

Guy M. Chisolm III, Ph.D. (University of Virginia)

Brian Davis, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University)

Mark. D. Grabiner, Ph.D. (University of Illinois)

Hiroaki Harasaki, Ph.D., M.D. (Kyushu University, Japan)

Vincent J. Hetherington, D.P.M. (Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine)

Kevin L. Kilgore, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Robert Kirsch, Ph.D. (Northwestern Univeristy)

Kandice Kottke-Marchant, Ph.D., M.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Jean A. Tkach, Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University)

Maciej Zborowski, Ph.D. (Polish Academy of Science)

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

The CWRU undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biomedical Engineering (BME) was established in 1972. The B.S. program in BME is fully accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology. In this program, students obtain depth in some engineering specialty as well as breadth in engineering applied to biomedical problems. Because our department faculty is large and the Case School of Engineering has many areas of strength, students can choose from a variety of specialty areas.

B.S. graduates are prepared for careers in industry and medical centers as well as for continued studies in biomedical engineering and other fields. Students with engineering ability and an interest in medicine may consider the undergraduate biomedical engineering program as a challenging alternative to conventional premedical programs.

Undergraduates with a strong academic record may apply in their junior year for admission to the integrated B.S./M.S. program, which enables the student to obtain the M.S. in a shorter time than usual.

The undergraduate program has four major components: (1) Case Core, (2) Engineering Core, (3) BME Core, and (4) BME Specialty Sequence. The Case and Engineering cores provide a broad background in mathematics, sciences, and engineering. A typical program of study is shown in the table. The BME Core gives students an opportunity to apply engineering to biomedical problems. Hands-on experience in BME is developed through the undergraduate laboratory and project courses. In addition, by choosing a BME specialty sequence, the student can learn in depth about a specific engineering area. This integrated program is designed to ensure that BME graduates are competent engineers. Students may select open electives for educational breadth or depth or to meet entrance requirements of medical school or other professional career choices. BME faculty serve as student advisors to guide students in choosing the program of study most appropriate for individual needs and interests.

Biomedical Engineering Specialty Electives

Common engineering specialties are biomedical computing & imaging, biomaterials (metals & ceramics), biomaterials (polymers), biomechanical prosthetic systems, biomechanics (tissues & implants), biomedical instrumentation (devices & sensors), biomedical systems & control, and clinical engineering. Courses for these specialties are presented in the table. Complete descriptions and suggested schedules for approved specialties are available from the department. These specialties provide the student with a solid background in a well-defined area of biomedical engineering. To meet specific educational needs, students may choose alternatives from among the suggested electives or design unique specialties subject to departmental guidelines and faculty approval.

Minor in Biomedical Engineering

A minor in Biomedical Engineering is offered to students who have taken the Case Core requirements. The minor consists of 15 credit hours based on two required courses, EMBE 201/EBME 202 and three electives chosen from among EBME 303, EMBE 306, EMBE 309, EMBE 310, and EBME 312.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The M.S. program in Biomedical Engineering provides breadth in biomedical engineering and biomedical sciences with depth in an engineering specialty. In addition, students are expected to develop the ability to work independently on a biomedical research or design project. A graduate with an M.S. in Clinical Engineering is prepared to take technical and administrative responsibility for medical devices, computer systems, and related facilties in hospitals.

For those students with primary interest in research, the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering provides additional depth and breadth in engineering and the biomedical sciences. Under faculty guidance, students are expected to undertake original research motivated by a biomedical problem. Research possibilities include the development of new theory, devices, or methods for diagnostic or therapeutic applications as well as for measurement and evaluation of basic biological mechanisms. The department also jointly sponsors Ph.D. programs in biophysics-bioengineering (with the Department of Physiology and Biophysics) and in beuroscience-bioengineering (with the Department of Neurosciences.)

A small number of students with outstanding qualifications are admitted to the Ph.D./M.D. program, which requires approximately seven years of intensive work after a B.S.

RESEARCH AREAS

Applied Neural Control/Rehabilitation Engineering

Implanted neural prostheses for motor control of hand, finger, leg, and foot movements. Electrical and magnetic stimulation of the nervous system. Neural control of spine, bladder, and diaphragm. Neural engineering applied to brain lesions such as epilepsy.

Biomaterials/Tissue Engineering

Polymeric, metallic, and composite materials for implantation in the human body. Neural and cardiovascular tissue engineering. Polymeric surface coatings on implants and sensors. Cardiovascular biomaterials. Structure-property relations in bone.

Biomedical Image Processing and Analysis

X-ray imaging in bone. Cardiac electrical potential mapping. Magnetic resonance imaging including applications to the cardiovascular system and brain tumors. Human visual perception. Positron emission tomography of the brain.

Biomedical & Biochemical Sensors

Electrochemical and chemical fiber-optic sensors. Measurement of ions, enzymes, neurotransmitters, etc. in normal and pathological cells and tissues. Acute and chronic clinical monitoring of body fluids.

Cardio Bioelectricity

Cardiac electrophysiology. Models of cellular activity and cardiac excitation. Mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias. Optical imaging of electrical propagation in the heart. Electrical potential modeling and mapping of the heart.

Transport & Metabolic Systems Engineering

Tissue responses to acute and chronic heating for tumor therapy and implanted artificial heart. Cellular metabolic modeling to analyze physiological responses during exercise and alternative pathways.

FACILITIES

The central offices of the Department of Biomedical Engineering located in the Wickenden Building, which contains laboratories for Biomedical Image Processing, Electrochemical Biosensors, Fiber-optic Biosensors, Biopolymers & Biomaterials Interfaces, Cardiac Electrophysiological Simulation, and Optical Electrocardiographic Imaging. The department has an educational computer laboratory with a variety of high-performance computers with network connections.

Primary BME faculty are also directors of laboratories in other locations. The Applied Neural Control Laboratory is a major facility for basic research and animal experimentation in the development of neural prostheses. The Functional Electrical Stimulation Laboratory produces implantable prostheses for control of movement. The Rehabilation Engineering Laboratory provides clinical testing of neural processes.

The department faculty and students have access to the facilities and major laboratories of the Case School of Engineering and of the School of Medicine. Faculty have numerous collaborations at University Hospitals, MetroHealth Medical Center, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, VA Medical Center, and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. These provide extensive research resources in a clinical environment for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Biomedical Engineering (EBME)

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

EBME 105, Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, 3

Biomedical engineering fields of activity. Research, development, and design for biomedical problems, diagnosis of disease, and therapeutic applications.

EBME 201, Physiology-biophysics I, 3

Cell physiology. Electrophysiology of nerve and muscle. Motor system. Central nervous system. Sensory systems. Autonomic nervous system.

EBME 202, Physiology-biophysics II, 3

Biological control systems. Cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, and immune systems.

EBME 303, Structure of Biologic Materials, 3

Structure of proteins, nucleic acids, connective tissue and bone from molecular to microscopic levels. Principles and applications of instruments for imaging, identification, and measurement of biological materials.

Prerequisite: EBME 201

EBME 306, Introduction to Biomedical Materials, 3

Applications of biomaterials in different tissue and organ systems. Relationship between physical and chemical structure of materials and biological system response. Choosing, fabricating and modifying materials for specific biomedical applications.

Prerequisite: EBME 201, EBME 202

EBME 309, Modeling of Biomedical Systems, 3

Mathematical modeling and computer simulation with biomedical applications. Neuromuscular control of skeletal movement. Mass transport processes in blood dialysis. Theoretical bioelectricity and cardiac electrical activity. Biomechanics of bone.

Prerequisite: EBME 201, EBME 202, EEAP 245, EEAP 246

EBME 310, Principles of Biomedical Instrumentation, 3

Physical, chemical and biological principles for biomedical measurements. Modular blocks and system integration. Sensors for displacement, force, pressure, flow, temperature, biopotentials, chemical composition of body fluids and biomaterial characterization. Patient safety.

Prerequisite: EEAP 246

EBME 312, Processing of Signals and Images, 3

Digital signals processing. Complex and random signals. Fourier series and transforms. Linear filters. Image acquisition techniques. Image filtering and enhancement. Morphological processing. Feature extraction. Biomedical applications.

Prerequisite: EEAP 246

EBME 313, Biomedical Engineering Laboratory I, 2

Experiments for measurement, assist, replacement, or control of various biomedical systems.

Prerequisite: EBME 201 and EBME 202, EEAP 245

EBME 320, Medical Imaging Fundamentals

Physical principles of medical imaging. Imaging devices for x-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance, etc. Image quality descriptions. Patient Risk.

Prerequisite: ESYS 212 and Fourier Methods (EBME 322 or equivalent).

EBME 324, Laboratory Computing in BME, 3

Hardware and software systems for use in biomedical engineering, particularly in laboratories. Digital and analog interfaces, sampling requirements, real-time program control of laboratory equipment and data collection, communications and networks. Applications in biology and medicine. Hands-on experience obtained by laboratory exercises.

Prerequisites: ECMP 131, EEAP 240, ESCI 212

EBME 332, Hospital Management for Clinical Engineers, 1

Basic management processes and their application in a hospital setting. Role of the clinical engineer as a manager within a hospital organization.

EBME 341, Clinical Engineering Laboratory, 2

Use of medical equipment and modern technology in the hospital environment.

EBME 394, Senior Projects for Clinical Engineering, 3

Projects coordinated with a hospital internship.

EBME 396, Special Topics in Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering I, 1-36

Credit as arranged.

EBME 397, Special Topics in Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering II, 3

EBME 398, Senior Projects Laboratory I, 3

EBME 399, Senior Project Laboratory II, 3

GRADUATE COURSES

EBME 403, Biomedical Transducers, 3

Analysis and design of transducers: optical, photo-electric, electrochemical, electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, and thermoelectric. Applications to biomedical systems.

Prerequisite: EBME 310

EBME 405, Materials for Prosthetics and Orthotics, 3

Fundamental concepts of metallic and ceramic materials. Wear, corrosion, and failure of implants. Properties of hard tissues and joints. Characterization of biomaterials. Biocompatibility of materials. Orthopaedic and dental applications.

EBME 406, Polymers in Medicine, 3

Plastic implants in the body. Chemical and physical characteristics of biomedical polymers. Implant requirements, host-implant reactions. Physiological and biomechanical basis for soft-tissue implants. Design of modified biomaterials.

EBME 407, Applied Neural Control, 3

Fundamental concepts related to electrical stimulation of the nervous system. Cable equation, currents in volume conductors, electrical models of axons, interaction between axons and electrical fields, tissue damage of electrical stimulation, electrochemistry of electrical stimulation, electrodes for electrical stimulation, applications to neuromuscular, sensory, and other physiological systems.

Prerequisite: EBME 451

EBME 409, Systems and Signals in Biomedical Engineering, 4

Analysis of continuous and discrete systems and signals. Transform methods. System modeling and control. Computer simulation. Application to biomedical problems.

Prerequisite: MATH 224

EBME 410, Medical Imaging Fundamentals, 3

Physical principles of medical imaging. Imaging devices for x-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance, etc. Image quality descriptions. Patient risk.

Prerequisite: EBME 409

EBME 411, Artificial Organs, 3

Engineering for replacement or augmentation of tissues (e.g., nerve or vascular) and organs (e.g., kidney and heart). Chemical, electrical, mechanical, materials, pathological and surgical aspects.

Prerequisite: EBME 451 and EBME 452

EBME 412, Biomedical Signal Processing, 3

Application of digital processing techniques to biomedical signals. Spectra and digital filters. Processing evoked responses. Electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, and other applications.

Prerequisite: EBME 409

EBME 414, Laboratory Computing in BME, 3

Hardware and software systems for use in biomedical engineering, particularly in laboratories. Digital and analog interfaces, sampling requirements, real-time program control of laboratory equipment and data collection, communications and networks. Applications in biology and medicine. Hands-on experience obtained by laboratory exercises. Prerequisites: Experience in computer programming through an introductory course or self instruction. A high level graphical programming language (Lab VIEW 3) will be used in the laboratory. Basic electrical circuit theory, systems, and signals are required.

Prerequisite: ECMP 131, EEAP 240 and ESCI 212 or equivalents

EBME 418, Electronics for Biomedical Engineering, 3

Review of electronic circuits. Analog design for biomedical electronics. Low noise, precision amplification, shielding, grounding, interfacing, and electrical safety.

Prerequisite: EEAP 246

EBME 431, Physics of Imaging, 3

Magnetic resonance imaging in the context of Fourier transform theory. Physics content includes: Bloch equations, T1 and T2 relaxation times, chemical shifts, rf penetration, and sequence development for optimal image contrast and speed in data acquisition. Reconstruction techniques covered are: two-dimensional inverse Fourier and matrix transforms with a brief introduction to constrained reconstruction. Applications to problems in industry and medicine are discussed. Cross-listed with PHYS 431.

Prerequisite: EEAP 246

EBME 432, Hospital Management for Clinical Engineers, 1

Basic management processes and their application in a hospital setting. Role of the clinical engineer as a manager within a hospital organization.

EBME 441, Clinical Engineering Laboratory, 2

Clinical diagnostic techniques and equipment (e.g. pulmonary function and exercise stress testing). Clinical chemistry instrumentation. Patient monitoring and support during operations and in critical care. X-ray and radioactive tracer methods. Troubleshooting and maintenance. Electrical safety. Ethics.

EBME 451, Physiological Process I, 3

Cell and molecular biology. Nerve and muscle function. Motor systems and feedback control. Autonomic system mechanisms. Brain and sensory systems.

EBME 452, Physiological Processes 11, 3

Heart and vascular system. Respiratory, renal, and regulatory systems. Gastro-intestinal system and metabolism.

EBME 460, NMR Spectroscopy and Imaging, 3

Fundamental and advanced topics in understanding and application of NMR imaging and spectroscopy. Theoretical description and specific examples of spin Hamiltonians, pulse sequences, and basic instrumentation.

EBME 465, Responsible Conduct in Scientific Research, 1

EBME 478, Computational Neuroscience, 3

(Also listed as BIOL 478). Computational properties of nervous systems. Modeling and simulation of neurobiological systems. Cable theory. Passive and active compartmental modeling. Numerical integration methods. Simulation tools. Models of neuronal development, plasticity, and learning. Models of small neural circuits. Neuronal dynamics. Models of brain systems. Relationship to simplified neural networks.

EBME 501, Bioelectric Phenomena, 3

Models of excitable cells and membranes. Cardiac action potentials and propagation of excitation. Bioelectric sources, volume conductor fields, and inverse problems.

Prerequisite: EBME 451

EBME 502, Cardiac Excitation, Rhythm and Control, 3

Cardiac excitation: sub-cellular and cellular. Inter-cellular communication. Propagation of the cardiac electrical potential. Arrhythmias. Neural control of the heart. Vagal nerve stimulation. Neurotransmitters and neuropeptides.

Prerequisite: EBME 501

EBME 504, Transport Processes of Biomedical Systems, 3

Mass and heat transport processes. Metabolic processes. Spatially lumped and distributed models of organs, tissues and cells. Numerical methods for computer simulation. Applications to cells, tissues, and organs.

EBME 507, Motor System Neuroprostheses, 3

Design and implementation of neuroprostheses. Transformation of muscle action into limb movement. Musculoskeletal modeling and simulation. Control of the musculoskeletal system by neural stimulation.

EBME 512, Biomedical Image Processing and Analysis, 3

Filtering for image enhancement. Image segmentation and morphological processing. 3-D processing and display. Biomedical applications from x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, and other sources.

Prerequisite: EBME 412

EBME 515, Material Properties of Hard Tissue, 3

Normal histological and mechanical state of bone and tooth. Models for relating structure and properties. Criteria for selection of hard-tissue replacement materials and bonding.

Prerequisite: EBME 405

EBME 519, Parameter Estimation for Biomedical Systems, 3

Linear and nonlinear parameter estimation of static and dynamic models. Identifiability and parameter sensitivity analysis. Statistical and optimization methods. Design of optimal experiments. Applications to cells, tissues, and organs.

EBME 523, Biosensors, 3

Fundamental electrical, electrochemical, and optical measurement techniques. Sensitive and selective biological membranes based on ion, enzyme, and immuno-reactions. Sensor stability and response time.

Prerequisite: EBME 403

EBME 540, In-service Training for Clinical Engineers, 3

Training in hospitals for students in clinical engineering program.

EBME 541, Clinical Engineering Seminar I, 1

Problems analysis in clinical engineering.

EBME 542, Clinical Engineering Seminar II, 1

Continuation of EBME 541.

EBME 550, Clinical Engineering Project, 3-5

Engineering project during the hospital internship or special project in clinical engineering.

EBME 601, Research Projects, 1-36

EBME 602, Special Topics, 1-36

EBME 611, BME Departmental Seminar I, 0

EBME 612, BME Departmental Seminar II, 0

Continuation of EBME departmental seminar I (0 credits) already approved. Required of all first year graduate students in BME.

EBME 651, Thesis M.S., 1-36

EBME 701, Dissertation Ph.D., 1-36

Ph.D. candidates only.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING DEGREE MAJOR IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING a

a This is a typical program. Specific programs must be planned with a faculty adviser in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

b Optional and limited to freshmen.

c One or more courses are chosen depending on the BME Specialty Sequence. Guidelines and advice are provided by the BME department and faculty.

Common BME Specialty Sequences

Biomaterials (metals/cermanics & polymers)

Metals--CHEM 301, EMSE 202, EMSE 303, EMSE 411
Polymers--EMAC 171/172, EMAC 376, CHEM 223, EBME 406

Biomechanics (tissues & prosthetics)

All-ECIV 110, EMAE 181, EMAE 271, EMAE 415
Tissues- EMAE 370, ECIV 210
Prosthetics- ESCI 360, EBME 307

Biomedical Computing & Imaging

EEAP 282, ECMP 333, ECMP 337, CMPS 391, EBME 312, EBME 320
ECMP 338 or CMPS 341, EBME 324

Biomedical Instrumentation (devices & sensors)

All-EEAP 282, EEAP 344, EEAP 309, EBME 403, EBME 418
Devices-EEAP 280, EEAP 382
Sensors-CHEM 301, CHEM 302, ECHE 370, ECHE 381

Biomedical Systems & Control

ESCI 212, ESCI 313, ESCI 304, ESCI 322, ESCI 346, EBME 324, ESCI 352

Clinical Engineering

ECMP 280, EEAP 309, EBME 332, ORBH 250, EBME 341, EBME 418
EBME 324 or EBME 320

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