Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An overview of the discipline of biomedical engineering, including its purpose and scope. Typical discussion topics: goals and limitations of biomedical engineering, the nature and relevant technologies of selected application areas, common aspects of biomedical practice, current trends and new directions in biomedical engineering. Students conduct extended investigations of biomedical practice, new biomedical techniques or possible new products, then prepare reports and present seminars.

COURSE DETAILS:

Abstract  

This course provides students with a general overview of Biomedical Engineering as a discipline, including its purpose and scope. The first two lectures are given by the course instructor and an invited BME expert from industry. All following lectures on the topics listed below are delivered by students participating in this course. At least six (most likely 11) field trips are carried out to local medical engineering companies or BME research organizations conducting research and/or manufacturing medical products. The list of proposed companies is placed below. After each field trip, students write essays describing and critiquing company activities. A group discussion follows each of these activities.  In addition to the above activities, the students work in groups of two on virtual projects based on designing a medical (e.g., diagnostic) or assistive device for a specific disease/disability. Very thorough research of the medical conditions requiring the development of the device precedes the design process. The results are presented in the form of a major report.  

Lecture Topics  

-Overview of BME
-Industrial and FDA standards related to medical devices
-The principles of medical diagnostic tools
-Assistive devices for physical disabilities
-Assistive devices for sensory disabilities
-Assistive devices for mental disabilities
-Life sustaining devices
      a) external (clinical)
      b) internal (implantable) or portable
-Drug delivery methods.

Tentative Field Trips (to be selected from):  

-Department of BMET at BCIT
-Medical Device Development Centre
-G. F. Strong Rehab Centre (computer assistive devices, assistive devices, prosthetics)
-Ultrasonix. Medical Corp
-Angiometrx
-Novadaq
-Mitroflow (heart valves), now Sorin Group
-Neil Squire Foundation
-VGH Biomedical Engineering Department
-Tetra Society
-Some labs in Kinesiology


Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students will understand the complex issues associated with design and research within the field of Biomedical Engineering. They will have sufficient understanding to critique and improve current assistive technology and propose new, unique solutions based on a thorough understanding of the special issues in Biomedical design. In addition, as a senior undergraduate course, individualized interests will be fostered to encourage further work in the field be it in industry or academia.

Grading

Materials

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