Although its formative years began in the 1940s, a critical mass of therapeutic medical technologies has emerged over the past 25 years, and they set the foundation for a significant new industry. The impact of these technologies has been greatest in orthopedics, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. During this same period, imaging technologies have transformed diagnostics. Engineering education has also evolved dramatically, from the application of classical engineering disciplines to solve medical problems to a revolutionary biology-based engineering perspective that is emerging today. This expanding portfolio of engineering capabilities predicts an exciting possibilities for patients suffering from serious diseases as innovative new medical technologies are developed to moderate symptoms, restore function and, on the horizon, replace failing organs with living engineered ones.