2025/26 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING EXAM 1
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
What is biomedical engineering? Answer - The application of principles of
engineering, math & physical science to problems in biology and medicine
Problems in BME? (2) Answer - - modeling of normal or abnormal physiology
- research and design of instrumentation and machines for medical diagnosis or
therapy
BME branches (5) Answer - - biomaterials
- biomechanics
- biomedical imaging
- biosensors and instrumentation
- tissue engineering
Biomaterials Answer - Development of devices which are used to enhance life
processes (ex: biological/artificial heart)
Biomechanics Answer - The use of engineering or physics principles to
understand the performance of an organism
Biomedical imaging Answer - The development and improvement of imaging
devices (ex: x-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, ultrasound
, Biosensors and instrumentation Answer - The development of sensors and
data collection systems to monitor and provide feedback on human body
processes (ex: contact lenses monitoring blood glucose levels for diabetes)
Tissue engineering Answer - development of mechanisms to regrow tissues,
mostly through provision of environments in which tissues may grow (ex:
through use of stem cells, 3D printing)
What was the first prosthetic to be used, where/when was it found and when is
it from? Answer - Around 1,000 B.C. in Thebes Egypt - in 2002 German
archaeologists uncovered 3000 yr old mummy with a wooden prosthetic tied to
foot to serve as big toe
(thought more for aesthetic reasons rather than functional, but found wear
marks on bottom showing use)
What was the first documented biomedical instrument, who developed it,
when and why? Answer - The stethoscope developed by Rene Laennec in 1816
because he didn't want to place his ear onto a young women's bare chest so he
used a rolled up newspaper --> inspired his invention
Who developed electrophysiology, when and what did they do? Answer - in
1848 Hermann von Helmholtz applied eng. principles to a problem in
physiology and determined resistance of muscle and nervous tissue to direct
current (before development of lightbulb) - later led to EMG
When and who were X-rays invented by? How? Answer - In 1895 Wilhelm
Roentgen discovered cathode-ray tube could make a paper coated in barium
platinocyanide glow, determined they were emitting penetrating rays - called x
rays for unknown - led to research into the x-rays and development for medical
imaging
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
What is biomedical engineering? Answer - The application of principles of
engineering, math & physical science to problems in biology and medicine
Problems in BME? (2) Answer - - modeling of normal or abnormal physiology
- research and design of instrumentation and machines for medical diagnosis or
therapy
BME branches (5) Answer - - biomaterials
- biomechanics
- biomedical imaging
- biosensors and instrumentation
- tissue engineering
Biomaterials Answer - Development of devices which are used to enhance life
processes (ex: biological/artificial heart)
Biomechanics Answer - The use of engineering or physics principles to
understand the performance of an organism
Biomedical imaging Answer - The development and improvement of imaging
devices (ex: x-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, ultrasound
, Biosensors and instrumentation Answer - The development of sensors and
data collection systems to monitor and provide feedback on human body
processes (ex: contact lenses monitoring blood glucose levels for diabetes)
Tissue engineering Answer - development of mechanisms to regrow tissues,
mostly through provision of environments in which tissues may grow (ex:
through use of stem cells, 3D printing)
What was the first prosthetic to be used, where/when was it found and when is
it from? Answer - Around 1,000 B.C. in Thebes Egypt - in 2002 German
archaeologists uncovered 3000 yr old mummy with a wooden prosthetic tied to
foot to serve as big toe
(thought more for aesthetic reasons rather than functional, but found wear
marks on bottom showing use)
What was the first documented biomedical instrument, who developed it,
when and why? Answer - The stethoscope developed by Rene Laennec in 1816
because he didn't want to place his ear onto a young women's bare chest so he
used a rolled up newspaper --> inspired his invention
Who developed electrophysiology, when and what did they do? Answer - in
1848 Hermann von Helmholtz applied eng. principles to a problem in
physiology and determined resistance of muscle and nervous tissue to direct
current (before development of lightbulb) - later led to EMG
When and who were X-rays invented by? How? Answer - In 1895 Wilhelm
Roentgen discovered cathode-ray tube could make a paper coated in barium
platinocyanide glow, determined they were emitting penetrating rays - called x
rays for unknown - led to research into the x-rays and development for medical
imaging
