431-468 Biomedical Engineering

431-221 Fundamentals of Signals and Systems, 431-326 Electronic System Design

On completion of this subject students should have an understanding of the specialist field of biomedical engineering, understand the interdisciplinary nature of the biomedical engineering field and have a knowledge of basic physiology and instrumentation associated with clinical measurements of physiological parameters (haemodynamics and pneumatics), appreciate the importance of electrical safety in a clinical environment and know the precautions necessary to ensure patient safety at all times.

This introduction to electro-physiology and associated bioelectricactivity covers clinical signal and systems such as electrocardiographs the bioelectric activity of the heart; electroencephalographs in neural networks, acoustics in the auditory process and myoelectrographs with biomechanics. Medical devices associated with these systems include bedside monitors, defibrillation, pacemakers and stimulators. Computer applications in medicine include computing in monitoring, medical imaging and closed loop control. Medical imaging examines endoscopy, ultrasound, X-Rays, computer-aided topography and magnetic resonance imaging.

One 3-hour end-of-semester written examination (70%); mid-semester test and/or project report not exceeding 20 pages including appendices, diagrams, tables, graphs and computer output (30%). The relative weighting of test and/or project report will be specified both in the first lecture and on the subject web page at the start of semester.