Medical technology and research: an engineer's view

Abstract

Medical Technology and Research are discussed here from the particular viewpoint of a university engineering department active in a specific area of biomedical engineering research (biomechanics and rehabilitation engineering) and in charge of a postgraduate programme in Biomedical and Clinical Engineering. Hence the focus of this paper is on medical technology. Medical technology is discussed within two distinct – but interrelated – contexts: health care practice on the one hand (1) and medical research on the other hand (2). European cooperation in Biomedical Engineering research is reviewed, together with the relevant EC programmes (3). Finally, our own conclusions are added to those of the EC-IRDAC report (4).