MEDICAL IMPLANTS AND BIOMATERIAL APPLICATIONS - 2026/7
Module code: ENGM261
Module Overview
This module covers the principles of design, manufacturing and clinical application of medical implants, dental implants and orthopaedic implants related to prosthetic technology in particular, and biomaterials such as metals, shape memory alloys, ceramics, polymers and composites with specific reference to biomaterial applications and relevant tissue engineering content.
Module provider
School of Engineering
Module Leader
XU Wei (Sch of Eng)
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: 92
Lecture Hours: 24
Tutorial Hours: 6
Guided Learning: 4
Captured Content: 24
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A
Module content
Introduction to medical implants
- Introduction to the total hip replacement, stents, pacemaker, heart valves, contact lens, drug delivery apparatus, etc.
- Introduction to trans-femoral osseointegration and dental implant
- Engineering solutions to the issues of mechanical implant design and manufacturing
Design and manufacturing of mechanical implants
- Discussion of implants¿ mechanical properties and testing in the product development
- The attachment methods stress concentration and stress shielding effects of medical implants from a biomechanics viewpoint.
- The heat treatment, surface treatment and cold working in mechanical implants manufacturing
- Basic skills of stress analysis for the design of a mechanical implant and selection of materials for hip, knee, dental and percutaneous trans-femoral osseointegration implants
Materials for medical applications
- Medical applications of major groups of biomaterials, current clinical use and their clinical potential in medical implants
- Mechanical and physical properties of shape memory alloys, metallic, ceramics, polymers and composite materials
- Introduction to human tissue properties - viscoelastic materials
Biological techniques and tissue engineering
- Introduction to biocompatibility and bioinert
- Overview of considerations of the body's response to implants
- Immediate, early and continuing, longer-term responses and methods for assessing the body's responses to medical implants
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 20 |
| Examination | 2 hours examination | 80 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of scientific principles and methodologies, analysis methods, a particular implant system and device, and interpret and resolve problems in medical implant development and biomaterial applications. The assessment strategy of the examination will cover presenting solutions clearly and accurately in a 2-hour in-person exam with notes. The coursework assessment strategy will cover content relevant to human body responses to a medical implant in terms of biological techniques and tissue engineering.The summative assessment for this module consists of:
- 20% Weighting coursework [ Learning outcomes 1, 4, 5 ]
- 80% Weighting 2 hours in-person examination with notes on 2 sides of an A4 paper [ Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 ]
- In-class feedback is given to students to solve/answer tutorial questions
- In-class feedback is given to students in the week 12 revision Q&A session before the exam
Module aims
- An up-to-date knowledge base on the biomechanical and clinical requirements relevant to mechanical implants and on the associated surgical procedures.
- An understanding of biocompatibility, physiology and biological responses of human tissue to biomaterials.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Demonstrate a systemic understanding of current methods for medical implants including advanced biomaterials and tissue engineering techniques for implant technology. | K | M1 |
| 002 | Critically evaluate current approaches of implementing engineering solutions, with particular reference to the development of mechanical implants. | KCP | M2, M3 |
| 003 | Continue to independently advance their knowledge in the field of medical implants and relevant areas in the clinic. | T | M4, M5 |
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:Introduce implant design and development technologies, classification of medical devices and clinical practice.Deliver knowledge and skills in medical implant design and manufacturing methods in terms of clinical practice and biomaterial applications, principally through lectures and tutorial classes.The learning and teaching methods include a mix of lectures, tutorials and clinical workshop.Indicated lecture hours are approximate. The arrangement of the clinical workshop will usually be finalised after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester (subject to availability at the time)
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: ENGM261
Other information
The School of Mechanical Engineering Sciences is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas;
Employability: This module provides students with knowledge about the fundamental processes that occur during a variety of medical implant design and application of bio-materials. The module builds on this to develop the student¿s understanding of the interrelationship between patients and product developers. Students will become familiar with open discussion methods and supportive collaborative environments.
Digital capabilities: Students will learn how computer simulation is used to support the medical implant design and product development.
Global and Cultural Capabilities: A sustainability analysis requires students to demonstrate an appreciation of the societal impacts of the whole cradle-to-grave lifecycle of the medical implant and biomaterial productions. By its very nature this will require students to demonstrate global culture awareness due to the global nature of any engineered product.
Sustainability: The ultimate learning outcome of this module is for the students to demonstrate their ability to complete a sustainability assessment for a medical implant product making use of an industry-standard assessment framework.
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 2026/7 academic year.