Biomedical Engineering is a part of the wider Bioengineering strategic research theme. It brings together engineers and clinicians with the aim of improving clinical tools by the application of engineering research, techniques and innovation to the field of clinical medicine. It was previously known as Engineering for Clinical Practice.
As an example of past collaboration, this image is from a 3D ultrasound system developed at the Engineering Department and used by clinicians to investigate the anatomy of the Brachial Plexus, important in ultrasound-guided regional anaesthetic block. This study revealed that many patients' anatomy deviated from that in a standard anatomical textbook, with important consequences for the ideal needle placement in this technique.
