42 U.S.C. § 285r — Purpose of the Institute

(a) In general: The general purpose of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering is to conduct and support research, training, health-information dissemination, and other programs on biomedical imaging, biomedical engineering, and related technologies used in medicine — together called "biomedical imaging and bioengineering." (b) National Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Program: (1) The Director, advised by the Institute's advisory council, must set up a National Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Program. (2) The Program's activities, regarding biomedical imaging and bioengineering, must include: (A) research to develop new techniques and devices; (B) related research in physics, engineering, math, computer science, and other fields; (C) technology assessments and outcome studies that judge how well biologics, materials, processes, devices, procedures, and information systems work; (D) research on screening for diseases and disorders; (E) improving existing imaging and bioengineering tools, including imaging, biomaterials, and informatics; (F) developing agents that target specific things to sharpen images and help find and outline disease; (G) developing advanced engineering and imaging technology for research ranging from the molecular and genetic level up to whole organs and bodies; and (H) developing new techniques and devices for more effective procedures during medical interventions, such as image-guided procedures. (3)(A) The Director must write a plan for the Program and send it to the Secretary and the Director of NIH — a plan to start, grow, strengthen, and coordinate the Institute's work on biomedical imaging and bioengineering, including whatever comments and recommendations the Director thinks appropriate. The Director must regularly review and update this plan and send any updates to the Secretary and the Director of NIH. (B) This plan must include the Director's recommendations on (i) where it makes sense to combine NIH programs, to better support basic research on biomedical imaging and bioengineering, and (ii) how to coordinate the Institute's work with related work at other NIH agencies and other federal agencies. (c) Membership: The advisory council set up under section 284a must follow these rules: (1) The Secretary appoints 12 members. (2) Of those, (A) six must be scientists, engineers, physicians, or other health professionals representing biomedical imaging and bioengineering fields, and who are not federal officers or employees; and (B) six must be scientists, engineers, physicians, or other health professionals from other fields who know about how biomedical imaging and bioengineering are used in medicine, and who are also not federal officers or employees. (3) Besides the ex officio members already required under section 284a(b)(2), the council's ex officio members also include the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (or their designees).