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ENGI4617: Artificial Organs 4

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Type Tied
Level 4
Credits 10
Availability Available in 2025/2026
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Engineering

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • This module is designed solely for student studying Department of Engineering degree programmes.
  • Introduce the rationale behind the need for artificial organs (pathology/trauma, functional/aesthetic restoration, temporary/permanent).
  • Provide an overview of the design requirements of the various artificial organ classes.
  • Enable students to identify the options offered by the various designs pertaining to the pathological stage.
  • Enable students to identify the optimal medical device design framwork, from concept to identification of functional and safety requirements, to manufacturing.

Content

  • Overview of the various internal and external artificial organs and assist devices.
  • Overview of the design requirements for artificial organs and basics of regulatory medical devices.
  • Artificial organs for the cardiovascular system.
  • Artificial organs for the respiratory system.
  • Artificial organs for vision.
  • Artificial organs for the musculoskeletal system.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • A historical account of the artificial organs field.
  • A knowledge of the design steps currently used / being developed for developing artificial organs.
  • An appreciation of the complexity of designing and producing artificial organs.
  • An understanding of the limitations of artificial compared to native organs.
  • An understanding of the potential use of relevant calculated parameters as diagnostic tools.
  • AHEP4 Learning Outcomes: In order to satisfy Professional Engineering Institution (PEI) accreditation requirements the following Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes are assessed within this module:
  • M1. Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems (exam assessed).
  • M2. Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions (exam assessed).

Subject-specific Skills:

  • The ability of applying fundamental engineering concepts in the bioengineering field.
  • The capacity to analyse and characterise the performance of various artificial organs.
  • The projection into future development of different artificial organs.
  • Develop skills to critically analyse artificial organs scientific literature and formulate opinions that can be communicated effectively.

Key Skills:

  • Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
  • Specialised analytical skills for complex engineering systems appropriate to a bioengineer.
  • Skills of combining interdisciplinary biological and engineering concepts relevant to the application of advanced engineering problems.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The module content is delivered in lectures and is reinforced by problem sheets, equipping students with the required problem-solving capability.
  • Students are encouraged to make use of staff 'Surgeries' (otherwise "Office Hours") to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign-up sessions available for up to one hour per week.
  • Written timed examinations assess the range of topics covered in this module and allow students to demonstrate their knowledge, analysing bioengineering scenarios independently.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures10Weekly (over one term)2 hours20 
Surgeries10As required, weekly sign-ups available throughout the teaching termOptional attendance as required5 
Revision Classes11 hour1 
Preparation and Reading74 
Total100 

Summative Assessment

Component: ExaminationComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
On Campus Written Examination2 hours100

Formative Assessment

More information

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