Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module ENGI4617: Artificial Organs

Department: Engineering

ENGI4617: Artificial Organs

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to H100
Tied to H106
Tied to H108
Tied to H911
Tied to H912
Tied to H913

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination 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.
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 can make use of staff 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 one hour per week per lecture course.
  • 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

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 1 per week 1 hour 20
Tutorial hours As required Weekly sign-up sessions 1 hour 10
Preparation and reading 70
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 2 hours 100%

Formative Assessment:


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University