BIOMEDICAL SENSORS AND SIGNALS - 2021/2

Module code: ENGM262

Module Overview

This module describes the use of equipment (such as electroencephalography, electrocardiography, and imaging methods among others) to measure important information about the physiological state of a patient. The module also provide the student with an up-to-date knowledge base on the theory and professional practice of engineering applied to the rehabilitation of people with sensory and neurological disability.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

ABASOLO Daniel (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 108

Tutorial Hours: 2

Captured Content: 40

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Basic Principles


  • Principles of physiological measurement. 

  • Physiological transduction.

  • Electrical Properties of tissues and electrode design and function. 

  • Detection of Physiological signals.



Physiological Measurement

Cardiovascular Instrumentation and Clinical Applications 


  • Blood flow measurement: Doppler, electromagnetic, cardiac output, regional flows.

  • Electrocardiography. Defibrillators.



Respiratory System


  • Respiratory gas flow: lung volumes, airways resistance, forced expiration, ventilation.



Neurological Measurement


  • Peripheral nerve signal measurement.

  • Measurement of conduction velocity.

  • Evoked responses - visual/ auditory.

  • Diagnostic methods using electroencephalography.



Clinical Practice


  • Practical implementation of management procedures in intensive care and routine hospital practice.



Clinical Engineering and Medical Physics interface


  • Overview of imaging techniques and nuclear medicine techniques.                        

  •  Diagnostic Ultrasound, CAT and MRI technologies.



Biosignals for Rehabilitation


  • Functional Electrical Stimulation.

  • Implanted stimulators and sensors.

  • Electrically Assistive Technology and alternative communication methods.


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Examination ONLINE (OPEN BOOK) EXAM WITHIN 24HR WINDOW 100

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of scientific principles, methodologies and mathematics methods as well as the ability to describe particular systems and processes in the final examination. The mini-project tests research skills and report writing as well as their ability to record a simple experiment and comment critically on accuracy and methods employed.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

·         Mini-project                [ Learning outcome 5 ]                        (12 hours)        {40%}

·         Examination               [ Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 ]          (2 hours)          {60%} 

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative verbal feedback sessions will be scheduled in week 11. 

Module aims

  • Specialist knowledge about the use of apparatus and procedures in order to measure the physiological state of a subject, and the associated procedures in order to ensure the safety of that subject in a healthcare setting.  
  • An up-to-date knowledge base on the theory and professional practice of engineering applied to the rehabilitation of people with sensory, neurological or communication disability.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
1 Identify and review the appropriate methods of clinical measurement to use in a given dynamic situation showing a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the problems faced in clinical measurement. SM1m, SM2m, SM3m, SM4m, SM6m KCP
2 Explain and understand the placement and use of surface electrodes for measurement of bioelectric signals, nerve conduction measurement, and methods for flow measurements of body fluids, being aware of their limitations. SM1m, SM4m KCP
3 Integrate multiple information sources to synthesise an evaluation of the physiological state. SM1m, SM2m, SM3m, SM6m, EA3m, EA4m, EA5m
4 Evaluate critically clinical monitoring techniques, evaluating the advantages and/or disadvantages of different approaches. EA1m, EA4m, EA5m, P2m, P11m, EL3m, EL5m PT
5 Apply critical approaches to implementing rehabilitation solutions, with particular reference to communication devices, environmental controls, and neurological implants. D1, D2, D3m, D7m, EL2, EL5m, EL6m, P5, P6, SM4m KCP

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

The principal teaching approach is through the delivery of formal lectures (35 hrs), demonstrations and visits to clinical facilities for demonstrations of physiological measurement in practice (10 hrs). 105 hours of independent study including the time dedicated to coursework. The module is taught intensively over a two week period.

The learning and teaching methods include:


  • 38 hours of lectures delivered over a 2-week period

  • Mini project (10 hours)



 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM262

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Biomedical Engineering MEng 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.