Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2020 - 2021
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Description Bioelectronics is the application of the principles and technologies of electronic and computer systems, system modelling and electronic materials to biology and medicine, and the potential application of biological materials to solving information-processing problems. Its most immediate manifestation is in biomedical sensing and instrumentation, but a wide range of existing and potential application of electronics to biology and organic materials to information-processing problems are also part of this subject. It is a relatively new frontier for the attention of electronic and computer engineers, but its importance can only increase with the passage of time. This module includes practical lab-based, group-project-based and in-class-test-based activities, but remote students will be facilitated as far as possible to participate fully in these. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. Explain and perform quantitative analysis on the physiological quantities and associated transducer characteristics that allow the sensing of clinically and health-related variables such as those relating to vital signs, metabolism, physical condition, physical activity, and bodily environment. 2. Design and implement appropriate electronic instrumentation and software for biosignal conditioning, amplification and digitization, and biosignal extraction or event detection relevant to clinical interpretation of data and diagnosis. 3. Design and conduct experiments, as well as measure, analyse, interpret and present data from living systems. 4. Model and analyse biological systems using the techniques of electronic and control engineering. 5. Explain and perform quantitative analysis on the interface between biological materials and micro- and nanoelectronics materials and devices, including the use of organic electronic material for such interfacing. 6. Explain commercial, regulatory, ethical and practical hurdles in the development of medical device electronics. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and
Learning Activities Module IntroductionModule outline, learning outcomes, assessment and reference materials; introduction to the BIOPAC Student Lab.Action Potentials and Sources of Biopotentials - the Heart and the Nervous SystemThe human cell structure; cell membrane ion transport; the mechanisms of action potentials; bioelectric potentials at the skin surface; how the cardiovascular system gives rise to the electrocardiogram (ECG); the electrocardiogram waveform structure and interpretation. The neuron and the structure of the central nervous system; the role of and operation of synapses; the structure of the brain; the electroencephalogram (EEG) format and interpretation; muscle action and the electromyogram (EMG).Biopotential ElectrodesThe redox reaction, half-cell potential, electronegativity and polarisation; equivalent electric circuit for a biopotential electrode in an electrolyte; equivalent circuit for an electrode on skin; types of electrode; stimulating vs measurement electrodes.The Electrocardiograph (ECG)The electrical activity of the heart; the cardiac vector; ECG leads; Einthoven’s triangle, augmented leads and precordial leads.Biopotential AmplifiersCommon Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR); instrumentation amplifier; noise sources; driven right leg; transient protection and AC signal coupling; transformer, capacitive and optically-coupled isolation amplifiers; conditioning amplifiers; signal averaging for noise reduction; calculating system noise factors and noise figures.Blood Pressure MeasurementDirect (invasive) measures of blood pressure measurement such as catheter-connected pressure sensors; the Korotkoff method and the sphygmomanometer; the oscillometric method, including two-band instrumentation amplifiers; doppler (ultrasound) method; blood pressure finger gauge/photoplethysmogram (PPG); tonometry; pulse transit time.Measuring RespirationImpedance plethysmography; 2-electrode and 4-electrode systems; inductance plethysmography; ECG-derived respiration (EDR); EDR signal processing methods.Defibrillators & PacemakersTypes of heart arrhythmia; defibrillation; defibrillation waveforms; synchronized electrical cardioversion; pacing modes.Branches of BioelectronicsOrganic bioelectronics; Bioelectronic components; Biosensors; Fuel Cells; Biomimetic systems; Bionics; Brain–machine interfaces; Lab-on-a-chip.Organic Bioelectronic Materials and DevicesConducting organic polymers; the organic electrochemical transistor (OECT); organic field-effect transistors (OFETs); ion-sensitive OFETs (IS-OFETs); organic electronic ion pump (OEIP); conducting polymers as electrodes; ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET); immunologically sensitive field-effect transistor (IMFET); optical biochemical transducers; optical measurement of blood oxygen saturation.Grossberg Neural Models of the Human Visual SystemThe role of visual paradoxes and illusions in explaining our perception of form and colour; the boundary contour and feature contour systems; possible neural mechanisms.Commercial, regulatory, ethical and practical hurdles in the development of medical devicesElectrical safety; patient safety; ethical issues; regulatory issues; data protection issues; the changing relationship between the patient and the medic.Further TopicsThese may vary from year to year but presently include: How birds sense the Earth’s Magnetic field; Insect Communication by Infrared Radiation; Information storage in DNA; Bio computers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources 31521, Website, Institute for Systems Biology, 0, What is Systems Biology?, Institute for Systems Biology, https://www.systemsbiology.org/about/what-is-systems-biology/, 31522, Website, Stephen Grossberg, 0, Stephen Grossberg Academic Homepage, http://cns.bu.edu/Profiles/Grossberg/, 31523, Website, Nelson Vaz, 0, Francisco Varela and the Immunological Self, http://www.academia.edu/4740894/Francisco_Varela_and_the_Immunological_Self, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme or List of Programmes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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