Undergraduate - UnitECE4081 - Medical instrumentation

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Synopsis

This unit shows how engineering principles are used in the design and construction of biomedical instrumentation. This includes application of electrochemistry to biological membranes, application of cable theory to nerve axons, application of electronic design principles to the recording of biological electrical signals, application of quantitative optics to spectrometry and fluoroscopy. In addition, the operating principles of a wide range of medical and laboratory instruments will be explored, ranging from pH meters to gene sequencers, pressure transducers to anaesthetic machines.

Outcomes

To understand the generation of electrical signals in the body.
To apply engineering principles to recording and analysis of electrical signals in the body.
To apply basic chemistry to sensors
To understand the principles and operation of optical instrumentation.
To become familiar with a range of hospital equipment.

Assessment

Laboratory and assignment work: 30%
Examination (3 hours): 70%.
Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component (assignments, tests, mid-semester exams, laboratory reports) and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jamie Evans

Contact hours

3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory/practice classes and 6 hours private study per week

Prerequisites

ECE2061, PHY2011

Prohibitions

ECE3801, ECE5081, ECE5801