Biomedical Engineering Glossary

The ability of a material to function in the body without provoking harmful immune or toxic responses.

A material capable of being decomposed by biological processes, often used for temporary implants and drug delivery carriers.

The application of computational tools to manage, analyze, and interpret biological data, particularly genomic and proteomic datasets.

The design of electronic and mechanical devices for measuring, recording, and processing biological signals.

Materials engineered to interact with biological systems for medical purposes, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.

The study of the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and systems, including forces ($F$), stress ($\sigma$), strain ($\epsilon$), motion, and structural properties.

An interdisciplinary field applying engineering, biology, and medicine to develop healthcare technologies and solutions.

A device that translates neural signals into commands for external hardware, bypassing normal neuromuscular pathways.

The management and maintenance of medical equipment within healthcare facilities to ensure safety and effectiveness.

A gene-editing technology enabling precise, targeted modifications to an organism's DNA sequence.

A neurosurgical treatment using implanted electrodes to deliver electrical pulses to targeted brain regions.

An engineered method for transporting and releasing pharmaceutical agents at targeted sites in the body.

A recording of the heart's electrical activity via electrodes on the skin surface.

A recording of the brain's electrical activity via electrodes placed on the scalp.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the agency responsible for regulating medical devices, drugs, and biologics.

A computational method that divides complex structures into small elements to simulate mechanical, thermal, or fluid behavior.

The systematic study of human walking patterns using motion capture, force plates, and EMG to assess musculoskeletal function.

A water-swollen polymer network used in wound dressings, contact lenses, drug delivery, and tissue engineering scaffolds.

Experiments or procedures performed outside a living organism, typically in a laboratory dish or test tube.

Experiments or procedures performed within a living organism, as opposed to a laboratory setting.

A particle ranging from $1$ to $100$ nm in size, used in targeted drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostics.

The direct bonding of living bone to the surface of an implant, critical for orthopedic and dental implant success.

An artificial device that replaces a missing body part, such as a limb, joint, heart valve, or eye lens.

A three-dimensional structure used in tissue engineering to support cell attachment, growth, and new tissue formation.

An undifferentiated cell capable of self-renewal and differentiation into specialized cell types for tissue repair and regeneration.