Biomedical Instrumentation

Module nameBiomedical Instrumentation
Type of moduleSelectable mandatory module
Learning results,
competencies, qualification goals		The student is able to:
  • use the knowledge about biomedical instruments,
  • use the knowledge about block diagrams and about the basic use of these instruments,
  • resort to basic knowledge about the way to behave in the case of occurring problems (debugging),
  • know the most significant risks of this devices and is able to deal with them,
  • use advanced knowledge about the most modern techniques in the area of biomedical engineering.

Learning results with regard to the objectives of the course of study:
  • Gaining deeper insight into the mathematical and natural science areas
  • Gaining a deeper knowledge about the specific electrical fundamentals
  • Acquiring enhanced and applied subject-specific basics
  • Identifying and classifying complex electro-technical and interdisciplinary tasks
  • Being confident in the ability to apply and evaluate analytical methods
  • Being able to create and evaluate solving methods independently
  • Familiarising oneself with new areas of knowledge, running searches and assessing the results
  • Gaining important and profound experience in the area of practical technical skills and engineering activities
  • Working and researching in national and international contexts
Types of courses4 SWS (semester periods per week):       3 SWS lecture
                                                                 1 SWS exercise
Course contents

This course is going to introduce the basic concepts of biomedical devices. The course starts with a listing of the significance of engineers with biomedical knowledge for the industry and in hospitals. The various tasks that are involved in a biomedical technology will also be introduced (medical imaging devices, artificial members , prostheses, nanotechnology , biomaterials, ...) Afterwards, the medical imaging devices are briefly presented. Starting with the types of radiation (x-rays, α, β and γ) and the most important devices that are needed to use it: conventional x-ray images, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, PET scan... The third part deals with the electrophysiological devices. First of all the spread of ions in the human body is presented (volume conductor and electrical conductivity of the tissue) and after that the main devices are presented: EKG, EMG, EEG and EOG.

The fourth part provides an overview of the great number of instruments in the biomedical field:

  • defibrillators,
  • respirators,
  • dialyses machine,
  • blood pressure meters,
  • autoclaves.

Finally, the fifth part presents the telemedicine technology and its implied requirements (infrastructure, trained staff, ...) and robots in medicine (especially Da Vinci and Zeus )

Teaching and learning methods
(forms of teaching and learning)		Lecture, presentation, learning by teaching, self-regulated learning, problem-based learning
Frequency of the module offeringWinter term
Language English
Requirements for the
participation in the module		Prerequisites according to examination regulations
Student  workload180 h:   60 h attendance studies
             120 h personal studies
Academic performancesNone
Precondition for the
admission to the
examination performance		None
Examination performanceDepending on the number of participants: written exam 60 – 180 min. or oral exam 20 – 40 min. 
Number of credits
of the module		 6 credits and 1 credit of them applies to the integrated key competencies

In charge of the moduleProf. Dr. Josef Börcsök
Teacher of the moduleDr. Ali Hayek
Forms of mediaBlack board, slides, exercises
Literature referencesScript/slides are going to be handed out at the beginning of the lecture.

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