January/February 2021

Disrupting the Normal Routine

Author(s)3: Art Johnson
Disrupting the Normal Routine 150 150 IEEE Pulse
My secretary at the University of Maryland labeled it Working Away From the Office (WAFO). It was my routine to stay home on Wednesdays and write papers, author books, make teaching plans, or grade papers and reports. I would be in my office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, but everyone in our department soon got used to my absence on Wednesday. read more

Venom-Inspired Medicine: Ancient Chemicals Offer Novel Solutions

Author(s)3: Mary Bates
Venom-Inspired Medicine: Ancient Chemicals Offer Novel Solutions IEEE Pulse
There are an estimated 150,000 animal species that have evolved venom. Some are familiar, such as snakes, bees, scorpions, and spiders. But there are also venomous lizards, sea anemones, cone snails, and even a few mammals, like the duck-billed platypus with its venom-bearing ankle spurs. read more

A New Vision

Author(s)3: Metin Akay
A New Vision 150 150 IEEE Pulse
I am honored and humbled to serve as the President of the world’s largest international society of biomedical engineers and scientists. Our 10,000+ IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) members reside in nearly 100 countries worldwide. EMBS provides its members with access to the people, practices, information, ideas, and opinions that are shaping one of the fastest-growing fields in science and engineering. As we continue to face unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, our members have contributed to life-saving scientific advances, published groundbreaking journal articles, and engaged in pioneering technical activities. Despite the significant financial and social challenges, EMBS activities continue to thrive. read more

Control Theory in Biomedical Engineering: Applications in Physiology and Medical Robotics

Author(s)3: Paul King
Control Theory in Biomedical Engineering: Applications in Physiology and Medical Robotics 150 150 IEEE Pulse
Some quick data regarding this text, to set the stage for the review: This text consists of 12 chapters overviewing “Control theory in biomedical engineering”; these comprise six chapters highlighting “Applications in physiology” and six chapters sampling “Applications in medical robotics.” Forty contributors to the text are named, and these individuals hail from ten different countries. The purported audience for the text from the publishers’ website consists of “Researchers and graduate students in both control engineering and biomedical engineering fields. Medical students and practitioners who want to enhance their understanding of physiological processes and medical robotics. Professionals in medical industries including those of industry of medical robotics, of artificial devices, of artificial organs, and rehabilitation devices.” read more

Introduction to Clinical Engineering, 1st ed.

Author(s)3: Paul King
Introduction to Clinical Engineering, 1st ed. 150 150 IEEE Pulse
This text, in seven chapters (167 pages), gives an overview of the field of clinical engineering as generated by two practitioners in the field. Five reprints, each with a “questions to consider” section, comprise an additional 91 pages and serve to give a modicum of historical information regarding the field. An overview of the body of the text follows. read more

Racism and Me

Author(s)3: Art Johnson
Racism and Me 150 150 IEEE Pulse
Racism is wrong! But, my reason for saying so is probably at least somewhat different from those other people might give. You see, racists are ruining my country, and keeping it from all of its promise. Let me explain. read more

Versatile Graphene Underlies New COVID-Zapping Air Filter

Author(s)3: Leslie Mertz
Versatile Graphene Underlies New COVID-Zapping Air Filter 2000 1500 IEEE Pulse
Researchers have developed new ways to use the extremely versatile material graphene, and a company is now building on that work to manufacture an air-filtration device that kills bacteria and viruses—including the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)—on contact. read more

Solving Unmet Needs With Innovative Pediatric Medical Devices

Author(s)3: Cynthia Weber
Solving Unmet Needs With Innovative Pediatric Medical Devices 2121 1414 IEEE Pulse
In the last decade, only 24% of class III life-saving devices approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were for pediatric use—and most of those were for children over 12. Of these, less than 4% were labeled for pediatric patients ages 0–2 years old and the number of approved devices is even lower for neonatal patients. For these young patients, adult medical devices are often manipulated by pediatric specialists in order to provide stop-gap solutions. However, these repurposed devices are not always able to fulfill the unique needs of children’s biology and growth patterns. read more

Understanding the Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19 in Survivors

Author(s)3: Wudan Yan
Understanding the Long-Term Impacts of COVID-19 in Survivors 2077 1443 IEEE Pulse
In mid-March 2020, as the novel coronavirus started making its way through the United States, Fiona Lowenstein (they/their) became ill. At that point, there was not yet any public health guidance on social distancing and wearing masks, and certainly no routine or readily accessible testing for COVID-19. Lowenstein was still interacting with others in person, and even led a yoga class. But when they became sick and were hospitalized, they were tested for SARS-CoV2 and received a positive diagnosis. read more
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