This book serves readers who would like to explore medical equipment that is used in the clinical setting. It offers an overview of the fundamental information necessary for work in the field. The material is designed to provide a working vocabulary and elementary knowledge of the medical equipment involved in the treatment of patients. Readers are encouraged to become knowledgeable and effective members of the patient care team, building on the information in this book as a foundation for further study.

Readers should have a fundamental understanding of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology appropriate for their role in the health care field. Readers are assumed to have a fundamental knowledge of basic electronics concepts including voltage, current, resistance, impedance, analog and digital signals, and sensors. Readers without this background may have to explore terms and concepts referenced in the text.

There is a vital connection between technology and the care of patients. In many cases, health care workers depend on technology to administer care or treatment or to make a diagnosis. This book helps readers understand how technology is tightly woven into patient care. The role of technical support for the medical team is, therefore, essential in the delivery of effective medical care.

The section of each chapter entitled “For Further Exploration” encourages readers to use the Internet to obtain in-depth information about a topic. Questions are designed to push the reader to integrate concepts using external sources. Answers are not specifically available within the chapters.