Biomedical Engineering Design | ELEC1212 | University of Southampton

Module overview

This module teaches the applications of biomedical signal analysis and control systems for biomedicine. The module emphasises developing an understanding through lab-based system design exercises by applying theoretical knowledge taught in the module. The module is split in two parts: 50% control and 50% biomedical signals analysis.

The control topics include electrical/mechanical analogues, p notation, block diagrams, electromechanical systems: torque, inertia, motor model. Using this knowledge, you will follow the Stanford bio-design process to develop an Active Tremor Suppression Brace for Parkinsons

The biomedical signals analysis part will provide a theoretical understanding of the fundamentals of biomedical signal processing, including representation of signals, signal arithmetics, frequency analysis and time-frequency representation of a signal and the fundamentals of Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. You will design an automated algorithm for ECG analysis in the lab where you will write programmes to separate artefacts and identify individual ECG waves which are fundamental in clinical diagnosis of cardiac diseases.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: D1. Understand the links between mathematical concepts and be able to apply them to a range of engineering problems D2. Work in a small team to develop a practical solution to a biomedical problem D4. Understand the operations of the basic building blocks for remote monitoring of Elecrocardiogram (ECG) signal.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: A1. Understand the concepts of transfer functions, block diagrams, poles and zeros and simple feedback systems A2. Understand engineering design and manufacturing principles A3. The fundamental concepts of signal representation and its analysis methods applicable for information extraction from real-life biomedical signals.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: B1. Determine the transfer function and step response for a system of any order B2. Derive transfer functions for mechatronic and electromechanical systems B3. Apply methods of design analysis to biomedical problems B4. Design and evaluate control systems to meet practical specifications B5. Apply basic signal processing methods for analysing and extracting information content from a physiological signals.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: C1. Translate engineering problems into technical specifications C2. Understand the principles of defining problems in standard form to allow standard solutions C3. Real-life design of biomedical engineering systems

Syllabus

Theoretical foundations of biomedical signal processing (Lectures + coursework)

Signal representation and characteristics
Signal arithmetic
Sampling and digitisation
Time-domain signal analysis fundamentals
Frequency-domain signal analysis fundamentals
Introduction to “time-frequency” domain signal processing
Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal fundamentals and its time- and frequency-domain analysis

Control (Lectures + coursework)

Linear Time Invariant Systems and Ordinary Differential Equations
An alternative approach to time-based analysis
Transfer Functions, Poles, Zeroes and the Characteristic Equation
Block Diagram Notation
Standard Inputs and System Response

Biomedical design and manufacture (Lectures + online tutorials)

Problem analysis and the clinically driven approaches.
Designing, specifying and evaluating criteria.
Generating, classifying and structuring ideas.
Computer aided techniques
Design for Additive Manufacture

Design Project 1 (Group Labwork, demonstration and report): Active Tremor Suppression Brace for Parkinsonian Tremor

Background to tremor and existing solutions
Engineering design specification
Overview of project deliverables

Design Project 2 (Group Labwork, demonstration and report): Automated algorithm design for ECG delineation

ECG data capture using wearable sensor
ECG artefact removal
Automated detection of individual ECG waves
Convert algorithm into an automated software package and report writing

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be taught as a combination of conventional lectures, tutorials, self-study materials, coursework and labwork.

Study time
Type	Hours
Completion of assessment task	6
Lecture	8
Practical classes and workshops	10
Total study time	24

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Summative

Assessment method Contribution to final mark

Control coursework 25%

Biomedical signal analysis coursework 25%

Design project I 25%

Design project 2 25%

For resit students 50% control coursework and 50% biomedical signal analysis coursework

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
A lab report	50%
Assignment	50%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assignment	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assignment	100%