Biomedical signals are observations of biological activities of organisms, ranging

from gene and protein sequences, to neural and cardiac pulses, to tissue and
organ images. Biomedical signal processing aims at extracting significant
information from physiological signals. These signals can then be analyzed
in order to provide information to physicians about what is going on in the
body and allows them to make a diagnosis if any sort of abnormality is
detected.

Examples of Biomedical Signals and Signal Processing

Electrical Biosignals: The electrical signals produced by the body that are extremely
useful in diagnostics includes:

 Electroencephalogram (EEG) - Monitoring method to record electrical activity

of the brain. It is most often used to diagnose epilepsy but can be used to
diagnose other conditions such as: sleep disorders, tumors, stroke, coma,
encephalopathies, brain death, etc.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) - Monitoring method to record electrical activity of

the heart. Indications for performing ECG includes: suspected myocardial
infarction, suspected pulmonary embolism, seizures, fainting, cardiac murmur,
etc.

 Electromyogram (EMG) - Monitoring method to record electrical activity of the

muscle. EMG is used as a diagnostic tool for identifying neuromuscular diseases
(Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's, etc) or as a research tool.

All three signals listed above require filtering of background noise (power source, other
biosignals, etc.) and often require conversion from continuous time (CT) to discrete time (DT)
for analysis.

Biosensors: A biosensor is defined as a piece of hardware that can interact with

either a biological or physiological system to acquire a signal for diagnostic or
therapeutic purposes. They are analytical devices that convert a biological response
into an electric signal. Biosensor technology incorporates a wide range of devices,
which includes:

 Stethoscope
 Thermometer
 Blood Pressure Cuff
 Blood Glucose Device
 Pregnancy Test
  Pulse Oximetry

To learn more about biosensors, click here

Imaging: Biomedical imaging concentrates on the capture of images for both
diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Snapshots of in-vivo physiology and physiologic
processes can be collected through advances sensors and computer technology.
Biomedical imaging technologies include:

 X-ray
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
 Ultrasonography
 Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
 Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)
 Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
 Computed Tomography (CT)

Biomedical imaging processing is very similar in concept to biomedical signal

processing due to them both including enhancement, analysis, and display of results.
To learn more about imaging, click here
Wearable and Implantable Technologies: Both wearable and implantable
technologies sense parameters of various conditions (diseases, disorders, etc.) and
can either transfer the data to a remote center (hospital, physicians office, etc.),
direct the patient to take specific action, or automatically perform a function based
on what the sensors are reading. Examples of these include:

 Blood glucose - If blood glucose is running high, insulin could be automatically

administered from the device
 Cardiac Monitoring - Pacemaker is placed just under the skin to help control
abnormal heart rhythms
 Parkinson's - Deep brain simulation sends electrical signals to brain areas
responsible for body movement
 Smart Tattoos - Flat, flexible, stretchable electronic sensor placed on the skin
to measure various electric signals produced by the heart, brain, and muscles

Image references
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/x-rays