- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues


ME40061: Biomechanics

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: ME40061 Mandatory Extra Work (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites:
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
To introduce the student to applications of mechanics in a biological and clinical context.
To provide an insight into the forces and motions in human joints, and the mechanical properties of a variety of hard and soft tissues.
To give an appreciation of the functional requirements of replacement joints and fracture fixation systems.
To impart an awareness of the materials and manufacturing technology associated with the design of replacement joints and fracture fixture systems.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Apply the concepts and principles of mechanics to biological tissues, the major load bearing joints and to the management of fractures.
* Systematically and critically understand the range of technology used in the medical device industry and the problems associated with the performance of artificial joints and fracture fixation systems in the aggressive environment of the human body.

Skills:
Problem solving; numeracy; working independently.

Content:
BIOMECHANICS OF NATURAL JOINTS: Introduction to musculo-skeletal system, connective tissues, anatomical structures of synovial joints, biomechanics of articular cartilage, biomechanics of bone
KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS OF SYNOVIAL JOINTS: Hip joint, knee joint, ankle and foot, elbow and shoulder, wrist and hand, spine.
TRIBOLOGY: Lubrication and wear of natural and artificial joints
ARTIFICIAL JOINTS: Joint disorders, history of joint replacement, methods of fixation, functional adaptation of prosthesis/bone composite structure.
BIOMECHANICS OF FRACTURE FIXATION: Biomechanics of fracture, healing, methods of fracture fixation and stabilisation
ENGINEERING STUDIES IN BIOMECHANICS: Engineering techniques in biomechanical testing, in vivo and in vitro testing of implants, future perspectives.
Topics for self study that could be examined.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ME40061 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mathematical Sciences
  • TSMA-AFM08 : MSc Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 1
  • TSMA-AFL02 : PG Dip Modern Applications of Mathematics (Full-time) - Year 1
Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM01 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM01 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM02 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM02 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with French (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM03 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM03 : MEng (hons) Automotive Engineering with German (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM41 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM41 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM42 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM42 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and French (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM43 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM43 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design, Innovation and German (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM17 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM17 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with French (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM18 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM18 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with German (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM39 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and French (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM39 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and French (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UEME-AFM40 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and German (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UEME-AKM40 : MEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing, Management and German (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.