The purpose of this module is to introduce the special considerations for electric/electronic instruments attached to patients for the purposes of diagnosis or therapy. The module will also introduce the medical device directive and the regulatory environment for medical devices. As part of their studies the students will develop a working knowledge of the operation of some medical equipment, as well as being introduced to the scientific basis of the well known radiological equipment commonly in use in our hospitals and medical research institutes, and to provide a working knowledge of the operation of this equipment.

Introduction: Principles and applications of instrumentation in medicine, One Health Approach; System approach to anatomy and physiology in relation to circulatory, respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurovascular systems; Biomedical signals and detections through generalised instrumentation principles, medical instrument design criteria and constraints; Standards and Regulations; Regulatory laws, practices and jurisdictions in the European Union and the United States of America. Physiological Transducers: Physico-chemical principles of transduction, selection of transducer types; specific examples of principles and operations of physiological transducers: displacement transducers, LVDT and encoders, piezoelectric transducers, strain gauge, temperature measurement using resistors, thermistors and infrared thermometry. Interactions of ionising radiations with matter & dosimetry: Sources of ionising radiation and diagnostic radiology; X-ray instrumentations, characteristics, exposure and control, X-ray interactions with matter, Deterministic and Stochastic effects of exposure to ionising radiation, Radiation dosimetry and dosimeters, Kerma, absorbed, equivalent and effective dose; Radiation safety and regulations. Bioelectric potential: Bioelectricity and measurements; Electricity and biological building blocks; Cell potentials, Nernst and Goldman Equations, Electrical stimulation; bioelectric signals, Electrode/Tissue interface, Electrode/Skin interface. Biosensors and Non-electronic medical devices: definitions and principles of biosensors, critical care analytes and their sensing, principle and construction of a pH meter, oxygen and carbon di oxide sensors; types of medical devices, minimally invasive procedures and devices: guidewires, catheters, stents, knee and hip implants. Examples of medical instruments, operating principles, applications, regulatory framework and recent developments: ECG- Electro cardiogram; EEG- Electro encephalogram, Pulse Oximetry, X-ray Computed Tomography, Ultrasound imaging and therapy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging and theranostics, feedback controlled glucose sensor and insulin pump.

Upon successful completion of this modules students will be able to: 1) Explain the special considerations for electric/electronic instruments attached to patients for the purposes of diagnosis or therapy. 2) Discuss the medical device directive and the regulatory environment. 3) Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific basis of the well known radiological equipment commonly in use in our hospitals and medical research. demonstrate a working knowledge of the operation of medical equipment. 4) Derive relevant equations from basic laws and principles. 5) Solve numerical problems, from information provided, on the topics covered.

Upon successful completion of this modules students will be able to: 1) Appreciate the importance of physics-based instrumentation in the provision of health care. 2) Demonstrate an understanding of the application of medical physics in healthcare academic and research environments.

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The module will be taught via interactive lecture, experiential tutorial, problem-based private study, self directed learning, recommended reading, reflection on and application to physics-related research problems, enquiry based learning, observation, demonstration, skills acquisition and adaptation, mentorship and lab supervision. Students will learn basic concepts and learn how apply their knowledge to solve physical and numerical problems.