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Basic Transport Phenomena in Biomedical Engineering
Journal of Controlled Release 67 (2000) 417–419 www.elsevier.com / locate / jconrel
Book reviews
Basic Transport Phenomena in Biomedical Engineering, R.L. Fournier, editor, Taylor & Francis, Philadelphia, PA, 1999, 312 pages. This is a textbook that maybe of peripheral interest to most of readers of this journal. Yet, this is a most welcome addition to the academics who work in the broader field of biomedical engineering. At last, a textbook for biomedical engineers that does not cut corners, a book that addresses important questions of mathematical modeling of mass transfer in biological systems or fluid flow in elastic conduits (as arteries are), or a textbook that presents an exact pharmacokinetic analysis with a plethora of examples! In the past 25 years there have been only two other texts that have offered a satisfactory approach to such problems. The text ‘Biomedical Engineering Principles’ (Dekker, 1976, by David Cooney, whom we lost so suddenly last year at the age of 59) was the standard text of all transport-oriented biomedical engineers. Ed Lightfoot’s ‘Transport Phenomena and Living Systems’ (Wiley, 1974) nurtured us in the more advanced aspects of the field. Unfortunately, since 1994 both books have been out of print. Fournier’s new textbook has been written in a level and a style that will be particularly appreciated by first year graduate students. It is clear, accurate and has plenty of references and problems. After a short introduction to the physicochemical properties of physiological fluids and cells (Guyton’s ‘Physiology’ will continue being a standard supplementary text for all converted biomedical scientists), the textbook addresses solute transport in biological systems, blood rhelogy, gas transport in biological systems, pharmacokinetics, extracorporeal devices,
tissue engineering and bioartificial organs. My graduate students found it a very helpful text and a good source of initial reading before they go to more specialized references. If engineering aspects and design of biomedical systems or devices are parts of your work or research, do not fail to buy this book. It will become a constant reference in your work. Nicholas A. Peppas School of Chemical Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA PII: S0168-3659( 00 )00218-2
Pharmaceutical Excipients – Characterization by IR, Raman, and NMR Spectroscopy, David E. Bugay and W. Paul Findlay, editors, Marcel Dekker, Basel, ISBN: 0-8247-9373-0. Volume 94 of the series: Drugs and the pharmaceutical sciences, 669 pp, hard cover. Over the past ten years, molecular spectroscopy has become an invaluable tool for the physical characterization of pharmaceutical solids, including bulk drug substances, bulk excipients, physical blends, and final solid dosage forms. The use of spectral libraries in the field of vibrational spectroscopy is very common. They can be used for the identification of compounds, investigative studies, and problem solving activities. This is the first book to
0168-3659 / 00 / $ – see front matter 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Book reviews
Basic Transport Phenomena in Biomedical Engineering, R.L. Fournier, editor, Taylor & Francis, Philadelphia, PA, 1999, 312 pages. This is a textbook that maybe of peripheral interest to most of readers of this journal. Yet, this is a most welcome addition to the academics who work in the broader field of biomedical engineering. At last, a textbook for biomedical engineers that does not cut corners, a book that addresses important questions of mathematical modeling of mass transfer in biological systems or fluid flow in elastic conduits (as arteries are), or a textbook that presents an exact pharmacokinetic analysis with a plethora of examples! In the past 25 years there have been only two other texts that have offered a satisfactory approach to such problems. The text ‘Biomedical Engineering Principles’ (Dekker, 1976, by David Cooney, whom we lost so suddenly last year at the age of 59) was the standard text of all transport-oriented biomedical engineers. Ed Lightfoot’s ‘Transport Phenomena and Living Systems’ (Wiley, 1974) nurtured us in the more advanced aspects of the field. Unfortunately, since 1994 both books have been out of print. Fournier’s new textbook has been written in a level and a style that will be particularly appreciated by first year graduate students. It is clear, accurate and has plenty of references and problems. After a short introduction to the physicochemical properties of physiological fluids and cells (Guyton’s ‘Physiology’ will continue being a standard supplementary text for all converted biomedical scientists), the textbook addresses solute transport in biological systems, blood rhelogy, gas transport in biological systems, pharmacokinetics, extracorporeal devices,
tissue engineering and bioartificial organs. My graduate students found it a very helpful text and a good source of initial reading before they go to more specialized references. If engineering aspects and design of biomedical systems or devices are parts of your work or research, do not fail to buy this book. It will become a constant reference in your work. Nicholas A. Peppas School of Chemical Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA PII: S0168-3659( 00 )00218-2
Pharmaceutical Excipients – Characterization by IR, Raman, and NMR Spectroscopy, David E. Bugay and W. Paul Findlay, editors, Marcel Dekker, Basel, ISBN: 0-8247-9373-0. Volume 94 of the series: Drugs and the pharmaceutical sciences, 669 pp, hard cover. Over the past ten years, molecular spectroscopy has become an invaluable tool for the physical characterization of pharmaceutical solids, including bulk drug substances, bulk excipients, physical blends, and final solid dosage forms. The use of spectral libraries in the field of vibrational spectroscopy is very common. They can be used for the identification of compounds, investigative studies, and problem solving activities. This is the first book to
0168-3659 / 00 / $ – see front matter 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.