OVERVIEW

The recent development in the Biomedical Diagnostic Instrumentation, therapy and rehabilitation and its diffusion in many areas of clinical practice, pose a significant challenge to bioengineering teachers called to prepare figures professionals able to operate effectively in development, design, production and technical management of biomedical equipment. The multiplicity and variety of arguments do not allow being treated with the necessary deepening in a single course. For this reason, during the course, we will address the main biomedical instrumentation systems for the acquisition of some physiological signals and for diagnosis by images.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will examine some types of instrumentation for the acquisition of biomedical signals with particular reference to imaging diagnostic equipment and the processing of biomedical data. Describes operational principles, design issues, state of the art, and future prospects for further development, taking into account the problems of interaction with the human body and patient safety.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to examine some types of instrumentation for the acquisition of biomedical signals with particular reference to diagnostic instrumentation for bioimaging, and the treatment and processing of the acquired data. The principles of operation, design issues, state of the art and future prospects of development are described, always taking into account the issues of interaction with the human body and patient safety. Specifically, the training objectives are as follows:

• Understand the physical principle on which the main imaging devices are based.
• Analysing the signal acquisition chain, from generation to digitisation.
• Examine design issues related to safety, biological compatibility and interaction with the human body.
• Assess state-of-the-art technologies and development prospects in the biomedical field.

The course aims to provide students with the necessary skills to:

• Understand the operation and physical basis of the main technologies used for imaging and measuring biomedical signals.
• Analyse the instrumental architectures used in biomedical signal acquisition and transmission.
• Critically evaluate the performance of diagnostic technologies in terms of resolution, accuracy, reliability and patient safety.
• Apply signal processing and treatment methodologies to improve the interpretation of biomedical data.
• Develop awareness of the interaction between devices and the human body, with attention to electrical, biological and magnetic safety.
• Recognize the design constraints and engineering challenges in the realization of biomedical devices. Identify emerging trends in the field of medical imaging and clinical sensors.

PREREQUISITES

Recommended basic knowledge

• Physics

1. Electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves and magnetic fields
2. Principles of attenuation and reflection
3. Lambert-Beer law, nuclear magnetic resonance

• Mathematics

1. Linear algebra (matrices, eigenvalues)
2. Analysis (functions, derivatives, integrals)
3. Transforms (Fourier, Laplace) for signal processing

• Electronics and Instrumentation

1. Basic components (amplifiers, filters, ADCs)
2. Sensors and transducers

• Computer science and Programming

1. Basic concepts of data acquisition and management
2. Fundamentals of numerical processing and image visualization (e.g. MATLAB, Python)

• Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology

1. Elementary notions of human body structure

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists in traditional lectures (48 hours),

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Architecture and performance of a biomedical measurements system. Characteristics of the main biomedical signals. Ultrasonic instrumentation: A-mode/ B-mode/ M-mode ultrasound, Doppler flow meters. Optical microscopy, fluorescence and confocal microscopy. Biomedical instrumentation: system radiography (X-ray, CT scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)). 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during lessons and other teaching materials will be available on aula@web. The books listed below are strongly suggested as supporting texts to complete the student's preparation, but students can also use other university level texts as long as they are published in the last 5 years.

1. J.G. Webster. Medical Instrumentation - Application and Design 4th Edition. Wiley.
2. Zhi - Pei Liang, Paul C. Lauterbur - Principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
3. Scott A. Huettel, Allen W. Song - Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
4. Nadine Barrie Smith and Andrew Webb - Introduction to biomedical imaging

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/8713/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be in written form and will consist of open-ended questions.

The objective is to verify:

• the understanding of the physical and engineering principles underlying the instrumentation for bioimaging and biomedical signals;
• the ability to critically analyze the technologies covered;
• the mastery of concepts related to patient safety, body-device interaction and signal processing;
• the clarity of exposition and the ability to connect theory and clinical applications.

The questions may concern:

• the functioning of CT, MR, ultrasound, radiography and microscopy;
• the design and analysis of acquisition chains for physiological signals;
• the problems related to data processing and the safe use of biomedical equipment.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The test will be evaluated on the basis of:

• completeness and technical correctness of the answers;
• appropriate use of scientific terminology;
• ability to synthesise and argue; autonomous application of knowledge.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule