As a testament to the commercialization activity within the School of Biomedical Engineering, faculty and research staff are inventors on over 220 issued and active US patents. There are 45 partner medical device companies as current licensees, 19 are based in Indiana, forming part of the fourth largest industrial sector in the U.S. Cumulative licensing royalties to Purdue based on biomedical engineering technologies exceed $15M.

In 1960, Purdue's first documented biomedical engineering project involved studying electrical activity ("traffic") in the central nervous system of pigs. The course was taught by a local physician with no plans to expand.

In 1965, John C. Hancock became the Head of the School of Electrical Engineering. He befriended industrialists such as William A. Hillenbrand of Hill-Rom and Basil S. Turner, a Purdue Research Foundation director and CEO of CTS Corporation.

Turner desired a laboratory for the study of electroceramics within the Department of Electrical Engineering and was willing to fund it. Hillenbrand made a substantial gift to the department with the restriction that it be utilized to initiate a program related to medicine.

In 1972, Norm Weldon of CTS Microelectronics met Michel Mirowski, a physician-inventor working on an automatic implantable defibrillator. This connection played a critical role in Purdue's future biomedical engineering efforts.

The leading university programs on defibrillation were in the Netherlands and at Baylor University. Baylor’s research in defibrillation was led by Leslie A. Geddes and his team Willis A. Tacker, Joe D. Bourland and graduate student Charles Babbs, MD.

The Era of Geddes

In May 1974, Geddes and his team moved to Purdue to form the Biomedical Engineering Center. They initially faced challenges securing funding, writing multiple grant applications to NIH, NSF, the American Heart Association and various industries.

Geddes' Leadership and Contributions

Geddes was not only a researcher but also a mentor with notable wisdom, often expressed in what the BME family calls “Geddesisms,” such as:

• “Enhance your credibility by making your actions support your statements.”
• “The most successful and employable person is the one who has learned the art of applying theory to practice.”

His team's work in defibrillation faced difficulties, which led Geddes to encourage Tacker to create a venue to present his research. This resulted in Purdue hosting the first-ever Conference on Defibrillation and CPR.

Inventions and Innovations

The late 70s were a time of rapid growth for the BME program. For instance, the discovery of medical applications for a pressure transducer led to a famously quirky question by Geddes: “Will it work if I urinate on it?” He was probing the robustness of the sensor under unusual conditions, a hallmark of his inquisitive approach.

In 1981, Geddes and Bourland developed the first automated miniature defibrillator, leading to over 36 U.S. patents. This device later combined with pacemakers to form a standard treatment for heart disease.

The Biomedical Engineering Center was formally named the William A. Hillenbrand Biomedical Engineering Center in 1985, further expanding its research, including working with the U.S. Army on a battlefield casualty-identification system.

Expanding Research and Legacy

In the late 80s, the team discovered that small-intestine submucosa (SIS) could act as a vascular graft material. This groundbreaking discovery allowed damaged tissues to regenerate with minimal scarring and had a significant impact on medical treatments.

Geddes retired as Center Director in 1991 but remained an influential figure, becoming the Showalter Distinguished Professor Emeritus. His contributions continued even in retirement. Notably, in 2009, he discovered a new method of performing CPR. Geddes passed away later that year, leaving a legacy of innovations in biomedical engineering.

Key Milestones in the Development of BME at Purdue

• 1996: The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program was approved, officially forming the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
• 2001: Purdue introduced a bachelor’s degree in BME, with the first undergraduate class graduating in 2007. This same year, a joint MD/PhD program with the IU School of Medicine was created.
• 2003: Groundbreaking on the new $25M biomedical engineering building in Discovery Park occurred, further expanding research facilities.
• 2004: The department was elevated to the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, with the Martin Jischke Hall becoming its new home in 2006.

Today’s Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Currently, the Weldon School boasts impressive stats:

• 220+ U.S. patents, with more than half licensed to company partners
• $35M+ in licensing royalties
• 33+ companies started
• 35+ core faculty members (25% female)
• Over 500 undergraduate students, 225+ graduate students, and 1500+ alumni
• More than 10 million patients have been impacted by BME research.

Leslie A. Geddes’ Enduring Influence

In 2007, Geddes received the National Medal of Technology from President George W. Bush. His legacy is captured not only in his work but also in his mentorship. A commemorative mural in the Martin Jischke Hall honors his contributions to defibrillation, cardiac pacing, and tissue engineering, but most importantly, it emphasizes his passion for teaching and mentoring students.

Geddes left behind a wealth of wisdom, one of his favorite lessons being, “Always give the student a problem he/she can solve.”

Conclusion

The 50-year history of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue is one of innovation, collaboration, and lasting impact. Pioneers like Leslie Geddes, supported by key industrial partnerships and visionary leadership, laid the groundwork for what is now a globally recognized program. Today, the Weldon School continues to push the boundaries of biomedical engineering, helping millions worldwide.