The CMBES Newsletter

C
A N A D I A N
MEDI
L A S
C A L A N D B I O L O G I C A L E N G I N E E R I N G S O C I E T Y ( C
O C I É T É C A N A D I E N N E D E G É N I E B I O M E D I C A L I N C
MBES)
.
I
N C
.
Spring 2010
Volume 43, Issue 1 rev1
ISSN: 1499-4089
The CMBES Newsletter
Message from the President of the CMBES,
Dr. Donald Russell
Inside this issue:
The executive has been
working hard over the
2
last year and, with the
help and support of
3-4
the Willow group
(thanks
Pamela!),
5
things have been moving steadily forward.
6-7
Our new and improved
web presence
8
is but one of the visible fruits of our work.
9
CMBEC33 Vancouver
Cross Canada Review
Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Week
CMBEC 32 Review
Society Awards 2009
Membership
2015 World Congress
10-12
CMBEC 34
CMBES Executive
President:
Dr. Donald Russell
Vice President:
Murat Firat
Past-President:
Dr. Bill Gentles
Executive Secretary:
Pamela Wilson
Treasurer:
Martin Poulin
Membership:
Dennis Len
Professional Affairs:
Mike Capuano
Awards
Jeremy Dann
Publications:
Dr. Gnahoua Zoabli
Newsletter Editors:
Dr. Gnahoua Zoabli
Pamela Wilson
13
CMBEC 33 in Vancouver
In a few weeks our society will be
holding its annual conference. This
year we a returning to Vancouver
after our successful conference last
year in Calgary. This year we have
a larger number of continuing education courses scheduled and we are expecting a good level of registrations in
these courses as well as at the overall
Conference.
The Reception and Banquet, scheduled
to be had at the Vancouver Aquarium,
promises to be the social highlight of
the conference and the perfect complement to the many interesting paper sessions on the program. Due to other
obligations I will not be able to be
there but I am sure it will be another
successful conference - I wish I could
come.
The Willow Group
The CMBES is continuing our contract with the
Willow group and, I
think, we are beginning to
see the benefits of working with them and benefiting from the knowledge
and experience.
2015 World Congress
Our efforts in planning for future
conferences are highlighted by being
named host for the 2015 World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering. There are
more details on this later in this
newsletter. This conference will
provide a number of unique and exciting opportunities. Many thanks
and congratulations to our hard
working bid team. As my term as
President draws to a close, I note
that
membership numbers have
been rising in the last few years and
participation is growing. We have
exciting plans for upcoming conferences and, with care and diligence,
I'm confident that we will be able to
manage the financial challenges that
face all small societies, including
ours, during these difficult financial
times
Page 2
The CMBES Newsletter
CMBEC33: Vancouver, British Columbia
Visit
www.cmbes.ca
for further
information and
updates on
CMBEC33
Mark your
calendars!!
CMBEC33,
Vancouver, BC
June 15-18, 2010
The 33rd Conference of the Canadian Medical and Biological
Engineering Society will be held June 15-18, 2010 at the Hyatt
Regency in Vancouver, BC. CMBEC is the premier event for
biomedical engineering professionals in Canada. It offers a national forum for information exchange among researchers and
practitioners working in the medical technology industry and biomedical engineering. To register for the Conference and/or a Continuing Education Course please click on the registration link in
the menu to the left.
Thank you to our sponsors
Vo l um e 43 , I s s u e 1
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Le génie biomédical au Québec
Biomedical Engineering Update in Quebec
Programme de baccalauréat en génie biomédical
Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering
En septembre 2008, l’École Polytechnique de Montréal a eu ses premiers
étudiant(e)s au programme de baccalauréat en génie biomédical (GBM);
une première au Québec. Dès lors, la profession connait une effervescence
et des réflexions sont en cours en vue de préparer ces futurs ingénieurs
biomédicaux à leurs futurs emplois.
In September 2008, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal started in
Quebec the first undergraduate program of the province in biomedical engineering (BIOMED). Therefore, the profession knows
effervescence and reflections are underway to prepare these
future biomedical engineers to their future jobs.
This youth in Biomedical Engineering will contribute to address
the actual need for biomedical engineers in the biomedical industry and the Health and Social Services Network of Quebec, including remote areas. Reflections continue for the clinical engineering program.
Cette jeunesse en génie biomédical permettra de combler l’effectif nécessaire d’ingénieurs biomédicaux pour l’industrie biomédicale et le Réseau de
la santé et des services sociaux du Québec, incluant les régions éloignées.
Des réflexions se poursuivent pour le programme de génie clinique.
Génie biomédical, une profession mixte
Si on s’en tient aux deux premières cohortes d’étudiant(e)s GBM de l’École
Polytechnique qui sont constituées de 60% puis 50% de femmes, le génie
biomédical est en voie de devenir au Québec une profession qui favorise
également les deux sexes en génie. Nous sommes d’ailleurs très fiers de
nos ingénieures œuvrant dans le Réseau de la santé au Québec, en particulier Mme Suzanne l’Espérance dont le leadership a contribué à la réussite exemplaire du projet de numérisation de l’imagerie médicale au Québec.
Premier affichage de poste d’ingénieur biomédical dans une Corporation d’achat
La profession évolue au Québec. L’Association des physiciens et ingénieurs biomédicaux du Québec (www.APIBQ.org) a récemment salué le
l’affichage du premier poste d’ingénieur biomédical dans une Corporation
d’achat au Québec. Ce geste dénote de l’implication bien appréciée des
ingénieurs biomédicaux dans les processus d’achats regroupés de ces
dernières années où le génie biomédical a fait preuve de leadership technologique. L’importance du génie en milieu de la santé n’est plus à démontrer.
Biomedical engineering, a joint profession
If we stick to the first two cohorts of Polytechnique BIOMED students which consist of 60% and 50% women, biomedical engineering is becoming a profession in Quebec which promotes both
sexes in engineering. We are also very proud of our female engineers working in the Quebec Health Network, especially Suzanne
l’Espérance whose leadership has contributed to the success of
the digitization project of medical imaging.
First biomedical engineer job posting in a purchasing corporation
The profession is evolving in Quebec. The Association of Physicists and Biomedical Engineers of Quebec (www.APIBQ.org)
recently welcomed the job posting of the first biomedical engineer
in a Quebec purchasing corporation. This gesture reflects that the
involvement of biomedical engineers is well appreciated. The
process of group purchasing in recent years in bioengineering
has demonstrated the leadership in BIOMED technology. The
importance of engineering in the health community is demonstrated.
ATGBM devient Association des technologues en génie biomédical du
Québec
ATGBM becomes Association of technologists in biomedical
engineering
Les techniciens biomédicaux du Québec ont modifié le nom de leur association qui devient l’Association des technologues en génie biomédical;
le terme technicien laissant sa place à technologue (www.atgbm.org). Le
terme technologue représente beaucoup mieux le niveau de formation et la
nature des actes posés par ses membres œuvrant dans le domaine biomédical. De plus, dans un contexte de professionnalisation du technologue en
génie biomédical, l'ATGBM recommande à ses membres d'adhérer à l’Ordre des technologues professionnels du Québec (www.otpq.qc.ca).
Quebec biomedical technicians have changed the acronym of
their association, which becomes the Association of Biomedical
Technologists; the term technician being replaced by technologist
(www.atgbm.org). The term technologist represents much better
the level of training and the nature of the acts of its members
working in the biomedical field. Moreover, in a context of professionalization of the technologist in biomedical engineering,
ATGBM recommends its members to join the Board of Professional Technicians of Quebec (www.otpq.qc.ca).
Beaucoup reste à faire
Le génie biomédical est très actif au Québec. Ce qui en soit est une excellente nouvelle. Mais, beaucoup reste encore à faire, notamment au niveau
du programme de maîtrise en génie clinique de l’Université de Montréal. La
création du baccalauréat en génie biomédical à l’École Polytechnique impose une révision en profondeur du curriculum de la maîtrise en génie clinique. Il y a aussi lieu de redéfinir les exigences requises pour pratiquer comme ingénieur biomédical en milieu clinique. Tout ceci pourrait avec raison,
susciter la création d’un nouveau titre d’emploi ‘Ingénieur clinique’ qui aurait
comme exigence un diplôme de second cycle universitaire en génie biomédical. Les discussions et réflexions se poursuivent.
Gnahoua Zoabli, ing., M.ing., PhD.
Chef du service du génie biomédical
CSSS du Lac-des-Deux-Montagnes
www.moncsss.com
Gnahoua.zoabli.hse@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Work in progress
Biomedical engineering is very active in Quebec. That in itself is
great news. But much remains to be done, especially at the master's program in clinical engineering from the University of Montreal. The creation of the Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering at
Ecole Polytechnique requires a major revision of the curriculum of
the Masters in clinical engineering. It is also necessary to redefine the requirements to practice as a biomedical engineer in the
clinical setting. All this might justly provoke the creation of a new
job title 'clinical engineer' for whom a graduate degree diploma in
biomedical engineering could be required. Discussion and debate
continue.
Gnahoua Zoabli, P. Eng., M.Eng, PhD.
Chief of biomedical engineering department
CSSS du Lac-des-Deux-Montagnes
www.moncsss.com
The CMBES Newsletter
Page 4
Évaluation clinique à l’aveugle d’appareils de résonance magnétique à aimant fermé de 1.5T
Clinical blind assessment of 1.5T magnetic resonance scanners
Gnahoua Zoabli, PhD1, Élisabeth Côté, MD1, Yves Patenaude, MD2 Nathalie Chartier, P.Eng.3
(1) CSSS du Lac-des-Deux-Montagnes
(2) Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke
Pour l’achat d’appareils de résonance magnétique, le Ministère de la santé et des
services sociaux du Québec a procédé en 2008 à un appel d’offres regroupé piloté
par la Corporation d’approvisionnement Laurentides-Lanaudière, sous la direction
de Mme Nathalie Chartier, ing.
Le Comité d’évaluation est formé de radiologistes, technologues, ingénieurs biomédicaux et
spécialistes des approvisionnements.
La qualité des images comptait à elle seule pour la moitié des points du critère Qualité, soit
25% de l’ensemble si le prix est pris en compte. Pour y
répondre objectivement, un protocole d’évaluation à
l’aveugle a été développé. Ce fut une première canadienne. En voici la démarche:
1.
2.
Objectif: Comparaison objective de la qualité
différentielle des images diagnostiques produites par les 4 équipements d'imagerie par résonnance magnétique soumis à l'appel d'offres.
(3) Corporation d’approvisionnement Laurentides-Lanaudière
For the purchase of magnetic resonance imaging scanners, the
Ministry of health and social services of Quebec proceeded in 2008
to a call for tender managed by Corporation d’approvionnement
Laurentides-Lanaudière, under the supervision of Mrs. Nathalie
Chartier, P.Eng.
The Evaluation Committee is composed of Radiologists, technologists, biomedical engineers and purchasing specialists.
The quality of the images were alone for half the
points of Quality, or 25% of all if the price is taken
into account. To answer this question objectively,
a blind assessment protocol has been developed.
It was a Canadian premiere. Here is the procedure:
1. Objective: Objective comparison of the differential quality of diagnostic images produced by
the 4 MRI equipments submitted to the tender.
Méthodologie
2. Methodology
3.
2.1– Trois sujets sains consentants, deux femmes et un homme. Sites anatomiques complémentaires: sujet 1 (tête, cervical), sujet 2
(abdominal, pelvien), sujet 3 (musculosquelettique, épaule et poignée de droite) et
excentricité.
2.1 Three consenting healthy subjects: two
women and one man. Complementary body parts
scanned: subject 1 (head, spine), subject 2
(abdominal, pelvic), subject 3 (musculoskeletal,
right shoulder and hand grip), eccentricity.
2.2– Comparabilité des séquences intra-sujet, indépendamment du modèle d’IRM en
évaluation
2.2– Intra-subject comparability of sequences, regardless of assessed MRI
model
2.3– Récupération des images sources pour l’évaluation indépendante de la qualité
d’origine
2.3– Source images’ backup for independent evaluation of the native quality
2.4- Images DICOM paramétrées pour anonymisation ultérieure
2.4- DICOM Images parameterized for further anonymization
2.5– Visualisation anonyme sur console à quatre écrans identiques pour l'évaluation
comparative de la qualité des images par trois radiologistes
2.5– Anonymous visualization on four screens for reading by three radiologists members of the Evaluation Committee
2.6– Consensus obligatoire entre les radiologistes pour chaque série d’images
2.6– Consensus is mandatory among radiologists for each set of images
2.7- Compilation des notes
2.7- Compilation of the marks
2.8– Quantification des évaluations par l'approche d'analyse multicritères Macbeth
2.8– Assessments quantified by a Macbeth multi-criterion analysis approach
Résultats de l’évaluation de la qualité
3. Results of image quality assessment
Les résultats de cette évaluation seront publiés
ultérieurement dans un article scientifique. En
voici les commentaires de radiologistes participants:
The results of this evaluation will be published
later in a scientific article. Here are the comments of participant radiologists:
Dre Élisabeth Côté: Je trouve le processus très
rigoureux scientifiquement. Je suis très satisfaite de l’expérience et assurée que la meilleure
machine a été choisie.
Dr Yves Patenaude: C’est un travail d’équipe,
qui se veut rigoureux et objectif, où l’expertise
de chacun(e) est mise a contribution!
Élisabeth Côté, MD: I found the process very
scientifically rigorous. I am very satisfied with the
experience and ensured that the best machine
was chosen.
Yves Patenaude, MD: This is a teamwork, expected to be rigorous and objective, where individual expertise is put to contribution!
Vo l um e 43 , I s s u e 1
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Biomedical/Clinical Engineering
Appreciation Week
by Mike Capuano CBET
CMBES Chair, Professional Affairs
National Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Appreciation Week is being celebrated May 23 to May 29th, 2010. The
week has been re-aligned to coincide
with AAMI-TMC event. We encourage
all organization departments to celebrate.
The practice of Biomedical/Clinical Engineering is key to the safety, well being, and effective care of all patients
across Canada. Today’s healthcare significantly depends on technology innovation and management. The Canadian Medical
and Biological Engineering Society (CMBES) along with their
U.S. counterparts have proclaimed this week to create
awareness of the related fields
and acknowledge the tremendous dedication these individuals have.
From engineers to technicians, students
to professors, and other healthcare
workers; their contribution is considered
to be invaluable. Biomedical Engineers
design and develop technologies for
healthcare usually in an academic or
manufacturing setting.
Disciplines
include
Electrical/
Electronics, Mechanical, Tissue, Com-
puter/Software Engineering, and information technology. Clinical Engineers work
in the field mostly in large hospitals solving medical device problems.
They are also involved in equipment planning, acquisition, and deployment. Biomedical Equipment or Engineering Technicians and Technologists are those who
primarily work on the front lines in healthcare facilities. They carry out the required
maintenance and repair of equipment and
technology found in large hospitals.
Most are hospital employees
hired by in-house Biomedical or
Medical Engineering/Technology
Departments. Those willing to
apply technical skills in a clinical
environment would find the field
extremely rewarding. The field
provides opportunities to work in
a professional or academic environment and to contribute to the health
and safety of our citizens.
Those who are interested in a rewarding
career involving Biomedical Engineering
should contact the Secretariat of the
CMBES at www.cmbes.ca or any large
healthcare facility in your area.
The CMBES Newsletter
Page 6
A great conference: CMBEC32 Calgary
John Leung
Adrian J.
Todd Cooper
CMBEC32
Presenters
Gord M.
Mike C.
The CMBES Newsletter
Page 7
More from CMBEC32 Calgary
Organizing Committee
A great
conference
!
Vo l um e 43 , I s s u e 1
Page 8
Message from the Awards Committee
Chairman - Jeremy Dann
2009 Awards
The nomination process for the 2010 awards and special memberships launched in the fall
of 2009. As you read this it has likely wrapped up for another year and the committee is
deliberating on the nominee’s eligibility. The committee has been soliciting nominations via
direct mailings to members and our monthly newsletter for the past three months.
Our society benefits from recognizing our members who are providing outstanding service.
We will be working harder in the coming year to raise the awareness of the award recipient’s work within there own organizations. This will have a spin off benefit of serving to promote the society and its goals.
Taking 30 minutes to nominate a co-worker can be, with our constant time pressures and
demands, a challenge. The committee asks that you make that small sacrifice to recognize
the achievements of others. Not only does it feel good to pass on that pat on the back but it
also can be a real career benefit to those who receive the recognition and to your organization as a whole whose profile will be raised.
I would be remiss in not recognizing the Awards Committee members who work quietly behind the
scenes on your behalf, the members. Many thanks go to:
Anthony Chan - BC
Ken Norwich - ON
Bob Gander - SK
Dennis Len - SK
Adrian Chan - ON
Don Russell presents the 2009 Outstanding Canadian
Biomedical Engineer award to Murat Firat
Don Russell presents a fellowship to Bill Gentles for his
outstanding contributions to the profession and the society
Ken George receives the Outstanding Canadian BMET on
behalf of Rick Stewart
Don Russell with Martin Forbes and Murat Firat who both
received certificates of appreciation for their work as peer
review surveyors
Society Awards – Special Membership Recognition/Honours
The CMBES Awards Committee is seeking nominations of members eligible and deserving of the societies awards.
For more information on the Awards or to nominate a deserving individual click here.
Vo l um e 43 , I s s u e 1
Page 9
CMBES membership update
General Membership Statistics - 2009
Total Membership
269
New Members
Renewals
48
161
209
Regular Members
Fellow
Emeritus
Honorary
Retired
Corporate and Institutions
209
5
8
4
New Members (Student)
Renewals (Student)
41
19
60
Student Members
Student Institutional
50
6
43
10
Vo l um e 43 , I s s u e 1
Page 10
Worldly Success for 2015, Canada took to the
podium in Munich
It was an exciting time for members of the Toronto 2015 World Congress bid committee. On Tuesday, September 8th, a team
of representatives for Canada took to the podium in Munich, Germany. They ended up walking away with the 2015 World
Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering; a monumental success for what is considered a boon for the city of
Toronto and a tremendous opportunity for biomedical and clinical engineers in North America.
The application required organizations associated with medical physics and biomedical engineering in Canada to come together. Eric Chou CMP, International Associations Sales Manager for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre coordinated the
initiative by calling upon the COMP (Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists) and the CMBES (Canadian Medical and
Biological Engineering Society) to jointly complete the application. CMBES President Donald Russell gave the green light to
move forward with the application. His counterpart, John Schella, Chair of COMP co-endorsed the proposal.
It almost didn’t happen. The application had to be at the IUPESM Secretary General’s office in Sweden by June 31, 2009. A
group of us scrambled to get the 50-plus-page document completed and submitted on time. Fortunately, the IUPESM Administrative Council accepted it allowing us to present at the 2009 World Congress General Assembly. 6 other countries presented;
Singapore, USA, Brazil, Czech Republic, India, and UAE.
The Toronto 2015 Bid Committee was comprised
of the following members: Representing COMP:
David A. Jaffray, PhD (Senior Scientist, Biophysics and Bioimaging), Princess Margaret Hospital;
Jean-Pierre Bissonette, PhD (Assistant Professor,
Radiation Oncology), Princess Margaret Hospital;
Marco Carlone, PhD (Assistant Professor, Radiation Medicine Program), Princess Margaret Hospital; Representing CMBES: Anthony Easty,
PhD, CCE (Director, Medical Engineering), University Health Network; Murat Firat, MS, P.Eng
Celebrating the win! Mike Capuano with wife Maria and Tony Easty.
(Manager, Medical Engineering), University
Health Network; and Mike Capuano, CBET
(Manager, Biomedical Technology), Hamilton Health Sciences; Representing both COMP and CMBES as Bid Chair: Eric
Chou CMP (International Associations Sales Manager), Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The Munich Contingent was comprised of the following members: David A. Jaffray, PhD, Princess Margaret Hospital; Anthony Easty, PhD, CCE, University Health Network; Eric Chou, CMP, Metro Toronto Convention Centre; and Mike Capuano,
CBET, Hamilton Health Sciences
Vo l um e 43 , I s s u e 1
Page 11
Images from Munich
Dr. David Jaffray, Lead Presenter for
Toronto 2015
Presenter for India
Barry J. Allen PhD, Vice President, IUPESM presides over the presentations
Eric Chou, Chair for Toronto 2015 bid
speaks on the benefits of a Toronto
2015 World Congress
Presenter
for USA
Vo l um e 43 , I s s u e 1
Page 12
Images from Munich
IUPESM Secretary General, Heikki Terio PhD
of Sweden and President Joachim Nagel PhD
of Germany chair the meeting of the General
Assembly
Presenter for Prague, Czech Republic
Tony Easty Introduces the Toronto bid
Presenter for United Arab Emirates
Vo l um e 43 , I s s u e 1
CMBEC34 Toronto, ON
CMBES will once again be participating in
the Festival of International Conference on
Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology
(FICCDAT) which will be held June 5 – 8,
2011 in Toronto, On. Visit www.cmbes.ca for
more details!
Interested in joining the Organizing
Committee,
apply at secretariat@cmbes.ca.
You are invited to send your best
pics of CMBEC33 at
secretariat@cmbes.ca
Page 13