Aims & Learning Objectives:
To present a series of topics of current active research interest in various areas of biomechanics and biomaterials. These will form a useful introduction to current research in these areas and will introduce more advanced concepts of measurement and analytical techniques. After taking this unit the student should be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and a detailed understanding of the principal components and structures of the musculo-skeletal and cardiovascular systems and the advanced engineering and materials techniques used to solve problems in these areas. Distinguish various classes of advanced biomaterials materials; interpret information on various types and classes of biomaterials; distinguish between the various classes of materials used in medicine and dentistry and their application, including the limits of use.
Content:
Medical Ethics: General introduction to medical ethics and the issues that may face them as Medical engineers. This will be followed by a specific case study of the use of bone graft and bone graft substitutes. this will cover the need for bone graft, the current sources - natural and synthatic - their relative advantages and disadvantages and the issues surrounding the use of bone retrieved from cadaveric and animal sources.
Degradation and failure in biomedical devices: This will be an introduction to degradation and failure in devices ranging from fatigue failure in the metallic component of heart valves, degradation of polymers through to failure of ceramic components.
Biomedical measurements on human subjects: Issues related to human as opposed to laboratory testing. Informed consent and the law. Quantification of forces and moments during human motion. Describe various systems used to measure forces and moments during walking, running, etc and the potential usefulness of these in both clinical and sports applications.
Analysis and consequences of failure. Critically examine failed medical devices and components and determine the reasons (both material and technical) for such failures. Suggest how such failures can be minimised both through design and through appropriate material selection.
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