BME Exam 2 – Biomedical Engineering Study Guide (Practice Questions, Key
Concepts & Answers)
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: implantable cardiac pacemakers - ANS ✔✔1950s Medtronic, helps control
abnormal rhythms, uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: cochlear implants - ANS ✔✔1960s hearing; mimics the hairs in the cochlea,
tells the person what sounds are at what frequency, two parts: one behind ear, other under
skin, replaces the normal acoustic process with electrical signal
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: Holter Monitors - ANS ✔✔1960s wearable ECG; battery operated ECG that
records continuously, the actual device would hang from a person's neck and is the size of a
small camera, and had electrodes connecting to skin
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: Wearable CGM systems - ANS ✔✔2010 continuously take readings of blood
glucose levels and detect when more insulin or glucose is needed, getting closer to a closed loop
system, filament/wire in the interstitial fluid under the skin
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: FitBiT - ANS ✔✔2010 track daily exercise, heart rate, pulse rate, etc. at all
times of the day. Raises overall health awareness, earlier detection of problems, can send this
info the healthcare professionals
Define the notion of 'autonomy' for wearable medical devices. - ANS ✔✔Autonomy: MOST
important device characteristic, operates on its own as an independent system, closed loop
system so the patient never has to think about it
, Explain the role of a wearable system in the context of chronic disease management. - ANS
✔✔For diseases like heart disease, diabetes, asthma, etc. wearable systems make it easier to
check vitals and take a lot less time. Patients can constantly be sending information to their
doctor and then if there is a problem found they would go in rather than check-ups every so
often.
Note what is novel about the SensoScan clip. - ANS ✔✔SensoScan: finger clip/ring with 17
functions, can take all vials from home and transfer to phone
Note what is novel about the AliveCor Kardia band. - ANS ✔✔AliveCor: record, store, and
transfer single channel ECG rhythms, compatible with IOS and Android
From a broader perspective, what change in care paradigm do these devices promote? - ANS
✔✔Care Paradigm: patients are realizing that the best access point for physician care is once
again at home. Devices such as these are becoming increasingly popular to allow for as little
time possible to be spent in the actual health care facilities.
In terms of wearable device design considerations, explain by example what is meant by data
handling - ANS ✔✔Data Handling: data acquisition and storage
In terms of wearable device design considerations, explain by example what is meant by signal
processing - ANS ✔✔Signal Processing: A/D conversion, noise filtering, parameter extraction,
signal distortion correction
In terms of wearable device design considerations, explain by example what is meant by
feedback - ANS ✔✔Feedback: visual or auditory; pseudo-real-time
In terms of wearable device design considerations, explain by example what is meant by
telecommunications - ANS ✔✔Telecommunications: bluetooth, wi-fi
Concepts & Answers)
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: implantable cardiac pacemakers - ANS ✔✔1950s Medtronic, helps control
abnormal rhythms, uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: cochlear implants - ANS ✔✔1960s hearing; mimics the hairs in the cochlea,
tells the person what sounds are at what frequency, two parts: one behind ear, other under
skin, replaces the normal acoustic process with electrical signal
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: Holter Monitors - ANS ✔✔1960s wearable ECG; battery operated ECG that
records continuously, the actual device would hang from a person's neck and is the size of a
small camera, and had electrodes connecting to skin
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: Wearable CGM systems - ANS ✔✔2010 continuously take readings of blood
glucose levels and detect when more insulin or glucose is needed, getting closer to a closed loop
system, filament/wire in the interstitial fluid under the skin
State the purposes of these classes of devices and specify the time frame when each technology
started to emerge: FitBiT - ANS ✔✔2010 track daily exercise, heart rate, pulse rate, etc. at all
times of the day. Raises overall health awareness, earlier detection of problems, can send this
info the healthcare professionals
Define the notion of 'autonomy' for wearable medical devices. - ANS ✔✔Autonomy: MOST
important device characteristic, operates on its own as an independent system, closed loop
system so the patient never has to think about it
, Explain the role of a wearable system in the context of chronic disease management. - ANS
✔✔For diseases like heart disease, diabetes, asthma, etc. wearable systems make it easier to
check vitals and take a lot less time. Patients can constantly be sending information to their
doctor and then if there is a problem found they would go in rather than check-ups every so
often.
Note what is novel about the SensoScan clip. - ANS ✔✔SensoScan: finger clip/ring with 17
functions, can take all vials from home and transfer to phone
Note what is novel about the AliveCor Kardia band. - ANS ✔✔AliveCor: record, store, and
transfer single channel ECG rhythms, compatible with IOS and Android
From a broader perspective, what change in care paradigm do these devices promote? - ANS
✔✔Care Paradigm: patients are realizing that the best access point for physician care is once
again at home. Devices such as these are becoming increasingly popular to allow for as little
time possible to be spent in the actual health care facilities.
In terms of wearable device design considerations, explain by example what is meant by data
handling - ANS ✔✔Data Handling: data acquisition and storage
In terms of wearable device design considerations, explain by example what is meant by signal
processing - ANS ✔✔Signal Processing: A/D conversion, noise filtering, parameter extraction,
signal distortion correction
In terms of wearable device design considerations, explain by example what is meant by
feedback - ANS ✔✔Feedback: visual or auditory; pseudo-real-time
In terms of wearable device design considerations, explain by example what is meant by
telecommunications - ANS ✔✔Telecommunications: bluetooth, wi-fi
