Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04
This course introduces the field of biomaterials, specifically the use of synthetic materials to make medical devices for the repair or replacement of diseased or damaged tissue/joints in the body. This will include an understanding of the need to balance the required performance and functionality of the medical device with the biological response to the device. The concept of biocompatibility will be introduced. Students will gain an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of designing and developing medical devices and will use some case studies to demonstrate this.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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In this course, students will learn the importance of design requirements for the development of biomaterials for use in medical devices, and the need to develop an interdisciplinary approach to be able to understand the need to balance the required performance and functionality of the medical device with the biological response to the device. The following topics are indicative of what will be covered:
- Natural and synthetic biomaterials – consideration of the different classes of materials, namely metals, polymers, composites, ceramics and glasses.
- Characterisation techniques used to evaluate the properties of biomaterials; chemical, physical, mechanical and biological characterisation.
- How medical devices are manufactured/synthesised from biomaterials.
- Biological response to implanted medical devices, including the concepts of biocompatibility, tissue integration and immune response.
- Establishing the design requirements of biomaterials in a medical device for a specific application.
- Case studies of some common medical devices and the biomaterials used to make these: contact lenses, total hip replacement, tooth root implant, synthetic bone graft, and a coronary stent.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
Online open book exam (70%)
Coursework (30%)
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Discuss the interdisciplinary approach required to develop new medical devices by bioengineers. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the types of biomaterials used for different types of medical devices and why they are selected for a specific application. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Discuss how the properties of a biomaterial can be determined, from its physical properties through to its biological properties. |
| Conceptual | Apply | Show an understanding of the design requirements for selecting the appropriate biomaterial(s) for producing a medical device, based on case studies. |
| Procedural | Apply | Demonstrate a working knowledge of the different biological responses to an implanted medical device and how biomaterial selection will influence this. |
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