Unbreak My Heart:

Bioengineering

Copyright © 2009 Youth Take Heart

 What is Engineering?

• The major goal of engineers is to improve our

quality of life.
– Take known technologies and improve them
OR
– Create new technologies
 Bioengineering is…
• Application of engineering principles to biology and
medicine
• Pictured here: Artificial Knee
 What is Bioengineering?
Chemistry
Biology

Bioengineering Medicine
Materials
Science

Engineering
Computation
 Some Specialty Areas
• Lab on a chip
• Tissue scaffolds
• Artificial limbs
• Imaging
• Appearance
Who are Bioengineers?
 Example: Ultrasound
• Imaging technique that detects an object based on how well it
“echoes” sound waves
• Used to detect heart defects, age of fetus, position in uterus,
twins
• Can determine sex of baby by week 18 or 20 of pregnancy
• Also used to thermally apply medications to injuries
How Ultrasound Works:
Forming the Image

Producing
Receiving aa
Sound Wave
Sound Wave
 Strengths/Weaknesses
• Strengths • Weaknesses

– Easily detects soft – Cannot penetrate

tissue and muscle bone
– Renders “live” – Doctor dependent
images interpretation
– Detects structures of – Possible dangers
organs • Heat generation
• Bubble formation
 Quick Question:
• What is a “Biomaterial”?
• Do you have a biomaterial in you?
• Do you know of a family member that has a
biomaterial?
What are biomaterials made of?

Metal Glass

Pyrolytic carbon

Ceramic and Metal Plastic

Early Medical Devices
 Early Dental Devices

Tooth Extractor

Root canal tools

Drill for cavities

Early Medical Devices

Artificial Hand

Stethoscope
Early Medical Devices

Civil War Amputation Kit

Arrow Extractor
 What bio-materials
can you see?

What problem do you

think they are
solving?
Common problems with biomaterials:

Body breaks Calcification

implant down (bone forms on valve)
Blood clots on
the surface
 Back to the Beginning:
• Looking back at your definitions of “bio” and
“engineering”, is there anything that you
would change or add?
• How would you change the model of your
solution after viewing this presentation?
– Take some time with your group and compare
ideas.
 How do I become a Bioengineer?

Bachelor’s Degree (College) PhD (Graduate School)

o 4 Years o 4-6 Years
o Prepare for company o Research in a
job, graduate school, or specific area of interest
medical school
o Master’s or PhD
o Apply last year of
high school o Can be a professor
 What to expect…

Physics
 Start Preparing Now!
• Core Subjects: Math and Science
– Take 4 years of both math and science in HS
• Geometry, Algebra, Statistics, Calculus
• Biology, Chemistry, Physics
• PSAT and SAT
– Can take the PSAT and SAT in middle school
– Prepare by studying and working with a tutor
• Join Math and Science Clubs or Extra Activities