COURSE OUTLINE

Academic Year AY2019/20 Semester 1

Course Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Justin Dauwels
Course Code EE4904
Course Title Biomedical Instrumentation
Pre-requisites NIL
No of AUs 3
Contact Hours Lectures: 26 hours; Tutorials: 12 hours
Last Update 06 December 2019

Course Aims
The objective of this subject is to describe the principles, applications and the design of the medical
instruments most commonly used in hospitals. Fundamental principles of operation and quantitative
analysis and design of medical instrumentation systems for diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications
are taught.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

Upon the successful completion of this course, you shall be able to:
1. Discuss the fundamental concepts of biomedical instrumentation systems, covering design,
operation, and maintenance.
2. Design the biomedical instrumentation systems consisting of sensors, signal conditioners, signal
processors, amplifiers, measurement systems, and safety equipment, to solve engineering problems.

Course Content
Introduction to Biomedical Instrumentation. Biopotential Electrodes. Electrocardiography. Blood Pressure,
Heart Sounds and Blood Flow. Respiratory System Measurements. Instrumentation for Medical Imaging.
Therapeutic Devices. Electrical Safety in Hospitals.

Course Outline

S/N Topic Lecture Tutorial

Hours Hours

1 Introduction to Biomedical Instrumentation 3 2

Measurement constraints. Interfering inputs. Compensation techniques.
Performance characteristics. Design criteria. Instrument specifications.
Resistive, inductive, capacitive, piezoelectric, thermal and optical sensors.
Biomedical signal processing. Practical examples of biomedical
instrumentation systems.

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 2 Biopotential Electrodes: 2 2
Body surface potentials. Electrocardiogram. Electromyogram. Electrode-
electrolyte interface. Polarization. Electrode behaviour and circuit models.
Skin interface and motion artifact. Body-surface, internal and micro
electrodes. Stimulating electrodes.

3 Electrocardiography 2 2
Biopotential amplifiers. Standard ECG leads. Functional blocks of the
Electrocardiograph. Performance requirements. Operational problems.
Transient protection. Interference reduction. Cardiotachnometers.
Cardiac monitors.

4 Blood Pressure, Heart Sounds and Blood Flow 4 1

Blood pressure waveform. Direct blood pressure measurement. Harmonic
analysis and dynamic properties of Pressure measurement systems. Heart
sounds. Phonocardiography. Cardiac catheterization. Indirect blood
pressure measurement. Blood flow measurements. Indicator dilution
techniques. Electromagnetic flowmeters. Ultrasonic flowmeters. Cardiac
output.

5 Respiratory System Measurements 3 1

Respiratory system modelling. Measurement of pressure, gas flow rate,
pneumotachometers, lung volume. Spirometry. Functional residual
capacity. Pulmonary function testing.

6 Instrumentation for Medical Imaging 4 1

Medical images. Information content. Diagnostic Radiography.
Electromagnetic spectrum of X-rays. Generation and detection of X-Rays.
Interaction of X-ray with tissue. X-ray safety issues and dosimetry. X-ray
computed tomography. Ultrasound waves and transducers. Ultrasonic
scanning. Echo pulse techniques. Ultrasound instrumentation.

7 Therapeutic Devices 6 2
Cardiac pacemakers. Synchronous and rate-responsive pacemakers.
Defibrillators. Capacitive-discharge dc defibrillators. Implantable
automatic defibrillators. Cardiac assist devices. Ventilators. Electrosurgical
units. Incubations. Infusion pumps.

8 Electrical Safety in Hospitals 2 1

Physiological effects of electricity. Susceptibility parameters. Macroshock
and mircoshock hazards. Electrical safety analyzers.

Total hours 26 12

Assessment (includes both continuous and summative assessment)

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 Related Programme
Course Team/ Assessment
Component LO or Graduate Weighting
LO Tested Individual rubrics
Attributes
1. Final
1-2 EAB SLOs* a-d 60% Individual
Examination
2. Quizzes 1-2 EAB SLOs* a-b 20% Individual

3. Assignments 1-2 EAB SLOs* a-b 20% Individual

Total 100%
* Please refer to Appendix 2 on the EAB accreditation SLOs

Mapping of Course SLOs to EAB Graduate Attributes

Course Student EAB’s 12 Graduate Attributes

Cat
Learning Outcomes (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l)
EE4904 Biomedical
Major PE    ◐
Instrumentation

1. Discuss the fundamental concepts of biomedical instrumentation systems, covering

EAB SLOs* (a-c)
design, operation, and maintenance.

2. Design the biomedical instrumentation systems consisting of sensors, signal

conditioners, signal processors, amplifiers, measurement systems, and safety EAB SLOs* (a-d)
equipment, to solve engineering problems.
Legend:  Fully consistent (contributes to more than 75% of Student Learning Outcomes)
◐ Partially consistent (contributes to about 50% of Student Learning Outcomes)
 Weakly consistent (contributes to about 25% of Student Learning Outcomes)
Blank Not related to Student Learning Outcomes

Formative feedback
In order to provide formative feedback, students are expected to attend all tutorial classes. Marks will be
given for attendance and contributions to the tutorial classes. In addition, students will be asked to make
presentations of solutions of assigned questions during the tutorial classes and every student will have
one opportunity to make presentations and marks will be awarded.

Learning and Teaching approach

Approach How does this approach support students in achieving the learning outcomes?

Students will attend the lectures prior to attending the tutorials which will be
LECTURE
conducted in an interactive way.

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 Each tutorial will be conducted in an interactive manner where students are
TUTORIAL expected to interact with the tutor and other students, ask questions and
provide alternative solutions to tutorial questions.

Reading and References

Text Book
1. Webster John G and Clark John W, Medical Instrumentation: Application and Design, 4th Edition, John
Wiley, 2010. (R856.M489 2010)
2. Carr, Joseph J and Brown John M, Introduction to Biomedical Equipment Technology, 4th Edition,
Prentice Hall 2001. (R856.C311 2001)
References
1. Brown B H, Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Institute Of Physics, 1999. (R895.M489)
2. Bushberg Jerrold T, Seibert J A, Leidholdt E M and Boone J M, The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging,
2nd Edition, Lippincolt Williams & Wilkins, 2002. (RC78.7.D53E78)
3. Ganong William F, Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 24th Edition, McGraw-Hill Medical, 2012.
(QP1.G198)

Course Policies and Student Responsibilities

1. You are expected to attend the lectures and attempt the tutorial questions.
2. You are expected to participate in the tutorial sessions.
3. If you attend less than 50% of the classes without valid reasons, you will be barred from taking the
final examination.

Academic Integrity
Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of your work as a student
relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and to the NTU Honour Code, a set of values shared
by the whole university community. Truth, Trust and Justice are at the core of NTU’s shared values.
As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding and applying the
principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not knowing what is involved in maintaining
academic integrity does not excuse academic dishonesty. You need to actively equip yourself with
strategies to avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic fraud, collusion and
cheating. If you are uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you should go to the academic
integrity website for more information. Consult your instructor(s) if you need any clarification about the
requirements of academic integrity in the course.
Students who are caught copying solutions from others will be dealt with by the School Disciplinary
Committee.

Course Instructors

Instructor Office Location Phone Email

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 Assoc Prof Justin Dauwels S2.2-B2-15 6790 5410 JDAUWELS@ntu.edu.sg
Assoc Prof Liu Linbo S2.2-B2-23 6790 4361 liulinbo@ntu.edu.sg

Planned Weekly Schedule

Week Topic Course LO Readings/ Activities

1 (LL) Introduction to Biomedical Instrumentation 1-2 Tutorial 1

2 (LL) Respiratory System Measurements 1-2 Tutorial 2

3 (LL) Electrocardiography 1-2 Tutorial 3

4 (LL) Blood Pressure, Heart Sounds and Blood Flow 1-2 Tutorial 4

5 (LL) Blood Pressure, Heart Sounds and Blood Flow 1-2 Tutorial 5

6,7 (LL) Electrical Safety in Hospitals 1-2 Tutorial 6

7 (JD) Biopotentials 1-2 Tutorial 7

8 (JD) Biopotentials 1-2 Tutorial 8

9 (JD) Bioelectrodes 1-2 Tutorial 9

10 (JD) Bioelectrodes 1-2 Tutorial 10

11 (JD) Pressure, Force, Flow, Temperature Sensors 1-2 Tutorial 11

12 (JD) Pressure, Force, Flow, Temperature Sensors 1-2 Tutorial 12

13 (JD) Ultrasound 1-2 Tutorial 13

Appendix 2: The EAB (Engineering Accreditation Board) Accreditation SLOs (Student Learning Outcomes)
a) Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, natural science, engineering
fundamentals, and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex engineering problems
b) Problem Analysis: Identify, formulate, research literature, and analyze complex engineering problems
reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences, and
engineering sciences.
c) Design/development of Solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems and design
system components or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate consideration for
public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.
d) Investigation: Conduct investigations of complex problems using research-based knowledge and
research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of
the information to provide valid conclusions.
e) Modern Tool Usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern
engineering and IT tools including prediction and modelling to complex engineering activities with an
understanding of the limitations
f) The engineer and Society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess societal,
health, safety, legal, and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to the professional
engineering practice.

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g) Environment and Sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering solutions in
societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need for the sustainable
development.
h) Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of the
engineering practice.
i) Individual and Team Work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse
teams and in multidisciplinary settings.
j) Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering
community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and write effective reports and
design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.
k) Project Management and Finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the engineering and
management principles and economic decision-making, and apply these to one’s own work, as a
member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments.
l) Life-long Learning: Recognise the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in
independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change.

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