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  • Textbook
  • © 2016

Physiology for Engineers

Applying Engineering Methods to Physiological Systems

  • Provides a set of thoroughly classroom-tested exercises and worked examples for student readers
  • Offers an accessible introduction to physiology for physical sciences and engineering students, building on concepts with which they are already familiar
  • Focuses on engineering methods and their application to a range of physiological systems
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Biosystems & Biorobotics (BIOSYSROB, volume 13)

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
  2. Cell Structure and Biochemical Reactions

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 1-18
  3. Cellular Homeostasis and Membrane Potential

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 19-32
  4. The Action Potential

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 33-41
  5. Cellular Transport and Communication

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 43-54
  6. Pharmacokinetics

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 55-66
  7. Tissue Mechanics

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 67-80
  8. Cardiovascular System I: The Heart

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 81-95
  9. Cardiovascular System II: The Vasculature

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 97-116
  10. The Respiratory System

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 117-128
  11. The Central Nervous System

    • Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne
    Pages 129-139
  12. Back Matter

    Pages 141-167

About this book

This book provides an introduction to qualitative and quantitative aspects of human physiology. It looks at biological and physiological processes and phenomena, including a selection of mathematical models, showing how physiological problems can be mathematically formulated and studied. It also illustrates how a wide range of engineering and physics topics, including electronics, fluid dynamics, solid mechanics and control theory can be used to describe and understand physiological processes and systems. Throughout the text there are introductions to measuring and quantifying physiological processes using both signal and imaging technologies. Physiology for Engineers describes the basic structure and models of cellular systems, the structure and function of the cardiovascular system, the electrical and mechanical activity of the heart and provides an overview of the structure and function of the respiratory and nervous systems. It also includes an introduction to the basic concepts and applications of reaction kinetics, pharmacokinetic modelling and tracer kinetics. It is of interest to final year biomedical engineering undergraduates and graduate students alike, as well as to practising engineers new to the fields of bioengineering or medical physics.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

    Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne

About the authors

Prof. Chappell came to biomedical engineering by accident having done a general engineering degree before
biomedical engineering was a separate option. Having spent some time modelling bubbles in the bloodstream
and using imaging to measure perfusion and pH in the brain he has found that engineering is a great
foundation for taking a quantitative view of physiology and thus contributing to medical research as a
biomedical engineer.
Dr Payne has worked in physiological modelling for over 10 years, with particular interests in blood flow in
the brain and heat treatment of cancer. Having entered the field of biomedical engineering before it was
available even as an undergraduate option course, he has seen first-hand how difficult it can be to learn about
physiology in a way that makes it amenable to mathematical treatment, such as mathematical modelling,
without good introductory guides.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Physiology for Engineers

  • Book Subtitle: Applying Engineering Methods to Physiological Systems

  • Authors: Michael Chappell, Stephen Payne

  • Series Title: Biosystems & Biorobotics

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26197-3

  • Publisher: Springer Cham

  • eBook Packages: Engineering, Engineering (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2016

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-26197-3Published: 27 November 2015

  • Series ISSN: 2195-3562

  • Series E-ISSN: 2195-3570

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIV, 167

  • Number of Illustrations: 44 b/w illustrations, 27 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering, Human Physiology, Systems Biology, Cell Physiology, Systems Biology

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access