The date of origin of the application of engineering methodology to the solution of medical problems is uncertain,but could probably be related to the words and works of Lester Goodman,Ph.D.,who defmed biomedical engineering in 1967.Early work in the field was directed at the solution of very specific problems brought by the physician to the engineer.In many cases,these were device oriented.Currently,the field has broadened to include work at the cellular and molecular level.Early research in the Chemical Engineering Department at Purdue University was concerned with problems in the area of neonatology,specifically,Hyaline Membrane Disease,now called the Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS),and its complications (Fig.1).The first major result of this research was the discovery of the etiology of microbubble formation in the pumping element of the pump being used to deliver intra-arterial fluids and medications to infants with this diseasel.This,in turn,led to the manufacturer's recognition of the problem and introduction of a filter to prevent these potentially fatal bubbles from reaching the infant.
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