Biological Materials and Biomedical Devices

Module overview

This module provides an introduction to the ways in which engineering methods are used in characterising and modelling the biophysical properties of tissues and organs, and applied to the design of biomedical implants and devices for the treatment of a wide range of human diseases and dysfunctions. In particular, you will learn about the design and function of prosthetic limbs, auditory implants, cardiovascular devices, and how regenerative medicine and tissue engineering are influencing the development of biomedical implants. The relevant background to anatomy, disease, injury, continuum biomechanics and the mechanical properties of biological materials will be covered such that engineering solutions can be presented with respect to the associated clinical needs. In addition to lectures, you will have hands-on lab-based tasks and talks by specialist clinicians.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

Cardiovascular implants and devices (including stents and heart valves);
Auditory implants (including cochlear implants);
Biophysical properties and behaviour of tissues and organs, and associated experimental characterisation techniques;
Human anatomy, physiology and pathology relevant to the implants studied herein;
Prosthetic limbs
The clinical needs for implants across a range of human diseases and dysfunctions;
How to apply and integrate knowledge, understanding and application of engineering methods from other disciplines in a multi-disciplinary arena (e.g., the use of CAD, FEA and CFD applied to the design of biomedical devices);
Stem cells in regenerative medicine;
The role of engineering in providing solutions to these particular clinical needs;
Theoretical foundations of non-linear continuum mechanics to develop mathematical and computational models of biological tissues interacting with devices;
A range of transferrable skills linked to different engineering disciplines but also across the boundaries between engineering and medicine;
How to calibrate material models for numerical simulation (e.g. Finite Element Analysis) from experimental data sets;

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

Lectures (3 per week)
Including guest talks from clinicians and researchers
Computing labs (2case studies)
Hands-on computing case studies related to the main implants and devices taught in the module. Assessed tasks will be set for each case study.
Visit to the Anatomical Sciences Laboratory at Southampton General Hospital
Online resources

Study time
Type	Hours
Wider reading or practice	18
Follow-up work	24
Preparation for scheduled sessions	12
Practical classes and workshops	8
Revision	20
External visits	2
Completion of assessment task	36
Lecture	28
Seminar	2
Total study time	150

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Two case studies will be presented in two double lab sessions followed by related assessed tasks of equal value (i.e. 25% each of the final module mark). A two hour exam will be taken as the final assessment and worth 50% of the module mark.

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Final Assessment	50%
Continuous Assessment	50%

Referral

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External