Programme Content
Fundamentals of Electronics. Electronics components and their principle of operation with respect to medical equipment. Operational amplifiers and their use in biomedical instrumentation. Electronic interfacing of analogue circuits with a computer. LabVIEW-based virtual instrumentation. Electronic signal conditioning.
Learning Outcome: Basics and hands-on learning on mechatronics and their application in the development of healthcare products.
2. Course 2: Basic Biology and Physiology (1 Credit)Basics of biology: Biomacromolecules, cells, biological membranes, enzymes and enzyme catalysis, cellular metabolic pathways, cell cycle, cell division, molecular biology of the cell, gene expression, DNA and its role in hereditary, cell signalling and communication. Microbiology- bacteria, fungi and prokaryotes, their cytological features and genetics. Human anatomy, organs and systems, hormones, nervous and sensory systems, nutrition, innate and adaptive immunity
Learning Outcome: In-depth knowledge of the normal human body for understanding deviations due to pathologies, and measurement and analysis of related data.
3. Course 3: Mechanics of Biomaterials (1 Credit)Forces and moments. Free body diagrams. Elastic, plastic, visco-elastic, visco-plastic. Bending, torsional and shear strength. Stress-strain relationships of linear and non-linear solids. Fatigue loading with and without corrosion. Fluid mechanics - shear thinning and shear thickening fluids.
Learning Outcome: Detailed understanding of the fabrication and application of biomaterials in healthcare product development with respect to medical devices and implants.
4. Course 4: Biofabrication (3 Credit)Introduction: bioprinting tissues, bones and cartilages; self-assembly, directed assembly, enzymatic assembly; laser-assisted bio-printing; fabrication of scaffolds (hydrogel method and fibre-based), artificial bacteria (active/passive drug delivery, microswimmer); component fabrication (stereolithography, laser machining, etc.); mass production (stamping, micro injection moulding, etc.). Experiments: CAD (solidworks) and data import (from MRI/CT) - hands-on; Fused deposition molding (3D printing) - hands on; Fused deposition molding (3D printing) - hands on; Tissue and organ printing (3D organ printer) - demonstration only; Scaffold generation - hydrogel (wet chemistry) and fibres (electrospinning) - hands on; Laser machining hands on; Mask generation (e-beam lithography and focussed ion beam) -demonstration only; Characterisation (imaging, profilometry, optical scanner) - hands on; Stamping - hands on.
Learning Outcome: In-depth knowledge of tissues and technology around their regeneration and artificial mimicking for different healthcare applications.
5. Course 5: Research Techniques in Biomedical Engineering (3 Credit)Simulation and analysis of physiological systems by up-to-date computer techniques and development of physical models; Biomechanical analysis and network representation; State-of-the-art bioinstrumentation techniques; monitoring physiological parameters electrical, mechanical and chemical parameters of the human body, microminiaturisation of electronics, including MEMS; BIMEMS technology; Biomedical signal processing and imaging modalities; Research planning and interpretation of biomedical data; Telemedicine; Robotics in medicine.
Learning Outcome: State-of-the-art of research in biomedical engineering and key gap areas for development of effective healthcare products.
6. Course 6: Soft Tissue Characterisation and Applications (4 Credits)Introduction to soft tissues. Review of major tissues and properties (skin, muscles, and connective tissues). Study of anatomy and biomechanical properties of tissues in all functional organs (e.g., brain, lungs, heart). Blood vessels and extremities. Biochemical testing methods: In vivo and in vitro. Test protocol for soft tissue testing. Linear and non-linear mechanical properties. Effect of specimen size, varying strain rates, and loading orientation. Mechanical testing with cadaveric tissues and soft tissue simulants. Finite element modelling of soft tissues. Study of Digital Image Correlation (DIC). Hyperelastic constitutive materials models (e.g., Mooney-Rivlin, Gden). Soft tissue degradation modes. Characterising tissue weakening (age) and injury. Effect of impact loads. Soft tissue failure criteria and fracture modes. Effect of wounds on soft tissue properties. Soft tissue biomechanics due to wound healing. Interaction of Soft tissues with interventions and medical devices. Effect of suturing, implantation, penetration, and frictional interactions on soft tissue properties. Project work: Comparison of biomechanics properties of soft tissue samples through experiments, material characterisation, DIC, and finite element simulations.
Learning Outcome: In-depth knowledge on characterisation of tissues for applications in development of medical and surgical simulators, implants and interventions, wearable technologies, and bio robotics.
7. Course 7: Healthcare Wearables Design and Applications (3 Credits)History and evolution of wearable devices, social aspects of wearability, biochemical sensors, optical and acoustic sensors, smart materials for sensor and actuator design, bioelectronics for wearable applications – flexible circuit design, power considerations, energy storage methods, energy harvesting, biodesign of wearable technology measurement, mechanical design and prototyping, design for usability, and ergonomics. Target customer discovery, surveys, market competition, and statistics. Emerging applications in rehabilitation – soft-robotic devices and assistive devices. Neuromodulation and neural recording applications, wearable haptics and biofeedback systems. Signal processing techniques and machine learning methods in wearable devices.
Learning Outcome: Thorough understanding and hands-on on prototyping and manufacturing of healthcare wearable technologies for various applications.
8. Course 8: Selected Topics in Biomedical Engineering: Healthcare Entrepreneurship and Management (2 Credits)Introduction to major healthcare problems and challenges in India, healthcare start-up ecosystem in India, academia vs industry, customer requirements and psychology, healthcare product idea and implementation strategy, team building, business model development, bootstrapping startup (i.e., how to minimise cost and resources). Critical review of healthcare products and business ideas presented by students, and team building. Effective customer survey, market competition (analysis of novelty, need, barrier to entry, cost and resources), product features. Low-cost product development and short-term funding avenues, grant writing. Product beta testing (Identification and use of in-house facilities and outsourcing) and clinical testing. Regulatory approvals, quality standards, and intellectual property. Short-term pilot study to understand customer acceptance. Product launching avenues (online/distributor/crowdfunding). Customer engagement (social media, word-of-mouth, partners). PASS/FAIL project review. Startup company formation steps. Biomedical startup scalability and sustainability. Group project: Healthcare product development and deployment (online/distributor/crowdfunding): Hands-on.
Learning Outcome: In-depth knowledge and project-based learning on conception, design, prototyping, testing, sales and marketing, and commercialisation of healthcare products.
