Book excerpt: THE HANDBOOK THAT BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES AND BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS The focus in the "Standard Handbook of Biomedical Engineering and Design" is on engineering design informed by description and analysis using engineering language and methodology. Over 40 experts from universities and medical centers throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and Israel have produced a practical reference for the biomedical professional who is seeking to solve a wide range of engineering and design problems, whether to enhance a diagnostic or therapeutic technique, reduce the cost of manufacturing a medical instrument or a prosthetic device, improve the daily life of a patient with a disability, or increase the effectiveness of a hospital department. Heavily illustrated with tables, charts, diagrams, and photographs, most of them original, and filled with equations and useful references, this handbook speaks directly to all practitioners involved in biomedical engineering, whatever their training and areas of specialization. Coverage includes not only fundamental principles, but also numerous recent advances in this fast moving discipline. Major sections include: * Biomedical Systems Analysis * Mechanics of the Human Body * Biomaterials * Bioelectricity * Design of Medical Devices and Diagnostic Instrumentation * Engineering Aspects of Surgery * Rehabilitation Engineering * Clinical Engineering The "Handbook" offers breadth and depth of biomedical engineering design coverage unmatched in any other general reference.