Bioinstrumentation (BMEN90033)

This subject involves the fundamental theory, design and operational principles of biomedical instrumentation and measurement systems applied to biomedical applications. This includes the design of sensors and electronics for measurement and analysis of physiological parameters of the body and organs.

The subject provides theory and practical exposure to understanding the basis of physiological signals and analysing biomedical signals, including hands-on experience in designing and building bioinstrumentation systems that can measure biological signals including electromyography (EMG), electrocardiography (ECG), electroencephalography (EEG), human motion, blood pressure and other measurements.

Topics include:

• Biomedical sensors and transducers: focus on the design, operation and function of a range of biomedical instruments, components and sensors such as biopotential measurement systems (EEG, EMG, ECG), human motion and force sensors (accelerometers, video motion analysis, strain gauges, load cells, force platforms), blood pressure measurements, cardiac and respiratory measurement and surgical instruments.
• Circuits: Operational amplifier (op amp) circuit design and application, including instrumentation amplifiers, feedback amplifiers and stability.
• Electrical safety and systems: power supplies, alternating and direct current circuits, industrial/medical electrical safety, signal grounding, ground loops, electrical isolation, sources of internal and external noise, interference and shielding, signal-to-noise ratio.
• Signal processing: single/multi-channel acquisition systems, filtering, signal conditioning, signal processing, data conversion and data presentation.

These topics will be complemented by exposure to software tools for electronic circuit simulation and further development of laboratory skills through workshops