University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 1 | Credits: 5

This module covers the principles of the design of biomedical instrumentation, starting with a discussion of top level design of an instrument. This will be followed by MEMs sensors fabrication techniques, sensor characteristics and selection. The design of signal conditioning including analogue filter design for a variety of sensor types will follow. The topics of instrument sensitivity and specificity will be discussed The student will be required to complete a design project where they will design an Arduino-based activity monitor from first principles.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand and apply the architecture of biomedical instruments using the generalised block diagram format.
  2. Understand the role of sensors in biomedical instrument design and be able to select an appropriate sensor for a health/medical application.
  3. Understand and identify key sensors characteristics from device datasheets in sensor selection.
  4. Design accelerometer based systems for human movement assessment and test & evaluate their performance using gold-standard testing.
  5. Design and analyse a range of signal conditioning circuitry for biomedical instrumentation.
  6. Design and analyse a range of analogue filter circuitry for biomedical instrument applications.
  7. Design a test protocol (which incorporates research ethics principles best practice) to evaluate a biomedical instrument and analyse & interpret the data resulting from the test.
Assessments
  • Written Assessment (50%)
  • Continuous Assessment (50%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Principles of Biomedical Instrumentation" by Andrew G. Webb
    ISBN: 9781107113138.
    Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  2. "Medical Instrumentation Application and Design" by John G. Webster
    ISBN: 0471676004.
    Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
The above information outlines module EE502: "Bioinstrumentation Design" and is valid from 2022 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.