Scope

The subject matter covered by the TC BMS includes the applications of modelling, systems, informatics and control concepts, methods and techniques in medicine, biology and cognate subjects. As such it draws on, and brings together, disciplines of engineering, information science and technology, medicine and the clinical and biological sciences. Medicine benefits through the application of modelling and control in the solving of clinical problems. By such applications in a challenging environment, limitations of modelling and control methods can be highlighted, thereby identifying opportunities for methodological research.

The scope of the TC BMS is as follows: Application of systems, modelling, informatics and control concepts, methodology and techniques to medicine, biology and health care. Physiological modelling, simulation, identification, experimental design, control and knowledge-based methods. Modelling and control of structure and function in cellular, neuromuscular, neurosensory, metabolic, endocrine and physiological organ systems, both in healthy and diseased states. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug delivery for optimal therapy, control of physiological and clinical variables in intensive care and in the management of chronic disease, rehabilitation engineering, health care delivery and human-machine interactions.

The scope of biomedical applications of modelling and control continues to expand and includes much of what is now regarded as mainstream medical/health informatics (and eHealth), as well as Modelling and control approaches in relation to health care knowledge management. Examples of recent developments include: the provision of decision support systems for adoption within a telematic health care framework; the application of a wider range of advanced knowledge-based and statistically-based methods for the interpretation of biomedical signals (again with the prospect of their adoption within an information management and decision support context); and the use of modern multimedia information technologies, such as biomedical functional imaging, to facilitate modelling, simulation, visualisation and control of complex biomedical systems. Modern biotechnology and bioinformatics involving modelling and control issues are also emerging.

The TC BMS will ensure that the scope of activities continues to reflect such application.