Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1.4 Summary
In this introductory chapter, the background has been set for the pioneer concepts
further introduced by this topic. A definition of fractional calculus and fractional sig-
nals has been given before proceeding in the quest for novel landmarks in biomed-
ical engineering applications. A brief history of fractional calculus and how these
abstract concepts became emerging tools in biology and medicine has been given,
providing also a motivation as to why these tools are now of great interest to the
research community. Two of the most common concepts used to characterize bio-
logical signals have been introduced, namely those of fractal structure and of fractal
dimension. With these basic concepts at hand, the reader is now ready for the quest
of this topic.
