October 2004, Issue #33

Cool Engineer of the Month

Biomedical engineering consists of adapting principles and methods of engineering with medicine and healthcare to understand and solve problems while improving the quality of life. The industry is quickly evolving with technological advancements in areas of research, clinical applications and medical devices. Bioengineers utilize engineering concepts and technology to develop products such as, medical instrumentation (i.e. blood glucose sensors), biomaterials (i.e. artificial skin), implantable devices (i.e. pacemakers) and artificial organs (i.e. heart). Devices used in hospitals and clinical settings for medical procedures were designed and developed through bioengineering research. Some specialties within biomedical engineering include bioelectrical, biomaterials, biomechanics, medical imaging, rehabilitation engineering, orthopedic engineering, systems engineering, and neural engineering.

Reflecting back at my years at Arizona State University (ASU), I realize that engineering is a major unlike any other. The amount of work, dedication and discipline required to succeed is truly a task in itself. My first taste of engineering experience came from working in two different bioengineering labs on campus. At the first, the Motor Control and Rehabilitation Laboratory, I assisted with clinical postural control and spinal cord injury research. We used spinal cord stimulation methods to assist paralyzed patients regain their ability to walk. The second, the Neurobotics and Neural Prosthetics Laboratory, I worked on a project to gain control of a robotic arm through brain stimulation and capturing neuron firing patterns. These projects were crucial in helping me bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and the real world.

Typically, doctors use devices that cost thousands of dollars one time and throw them away. Reprocessing allows those devices to be safely re-engineered and reused. My company, Alliance Medical Corporation, the country's leading medical device reprocessor, has introduced me to how engineering principles can be applied to help patients. Reprocessing is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated industry in which single use medical devices (SUD) are cleaned, tested for functionality (re-engineered), sterilized, repackaged and returned to the hospital at a fraction of the original cost. Reprocessing medical devices offers numerous benefits such as significant facility cost savings, medical waste reduction, OEM price reduction through a more competitive market and patient care improvement from savings. This industry is paving the way to providing improved health care by saving millions of dollars through reprocessing. Visit www.alliance-medical.com for more information.

More recently my career has transitioned to a product development role where I work to bring devices from the testing stages back out to the clinician. I am currently working on developing and validating test methods for intracardiac electrophysiology catheters (catheters inside the heart). This involves designing function tests and simulating device use under a worse case scenario that incorporates extreme testing conditions, such as temperatures and forces. Data acquisition typically involves running experiments and collecting data on different device parameters (force, temperature, mechanical and electrical performance etc). The job also requires knowledge about physiology and how the device will be used by the hospital. My favorite part about the job is understanding a project from all perspectives: the engineer, the doctor and the FDA. Reverse engineering medical devices teaches a lot about the function of the device and the science involved in the design. Also, since we reprocess hundreds of different devices, the diverse exposure allows me to never stop learning about keeping people healthy. I have more opportunities to advance my career than I ever imagined. Lastly, since we are a federally regulated industry, the constant interaction with the FDA is great experience for submitting documentation for market clearance (510(k), PMA).

Rafal Chudzik is the author of — "Engineering Education As A Lifestyle – A Student's Perspective" (Jan 2005). This new book is written from a unique viewpoint and is intended to connect with students on a personal level. It offers an inside look at the engineering education process and offers the reader a rare opportunity to learn hidden secrets and see what it really takes to succeed.

Preorder your copy of this new book by visiting the engineering IMPACT institute. The website is still under development and major changes and updates are on the way. Get connected and sign up for the IMPACT insider, a one of a kind, exciting newsletter with a unique approach to education. Purchase merchandise, participate in programs, share experiences, and much more!!!

Contact Rafal at asuengineering@yahoo.com