This module is aimed at senior engineering students. The module is intended to give an overview of Biomechanics. This involves analysing the human body from a mechanical perspective. This will involve quantifying the loads and force present in bones, joints and muscles. It will also involve looking at the building blocks of the body from the perspective of its mechanical function. How do the bones, joints and muscles carry out their function. We will look at how these structures are so formed to carry out their function. Investigates the body’s cardiovascular system, how its constituent parts such as arteries and veins regulate blood flow. The design of joint replacements and devices introduced into the body’s cardiovascular system. The course will also show how the unique conditions of the human body drive the design of
these devices. The course will cover areas of knowledge such as suitable materials for medical devices. Brief coverage of the regulation of medical devices, the classes of devices I, II, & III, the types of devices and why the regulatory burden is justified, will be included. The course will also aim to give insight into why the medical device industry represents an important industry in terms of Ireland’s economy and the healthcare industry globally.
Preliminaries:
Overview of human anatomy
Mechanics of materials review
Bone and Joint Mechanics
Analysis of muscle and joint loads. Examples: Elbow, & Knee.
Mechanics of hard and soft tissue, muscles, tendons, bone, cartilage, ligaments and development of material
models of these tissues.
Failure mechanisms in bone.
Mechanics of cells, a discussion of how mechanical loads and other factors influence tissue growth, adaptation
and degeneration.
Cardiovascular Biomechanics:
Biorheology and mechanics of blood flow.
Discussion of material models of arteries and other cardiovascular structures.
Biomaterials
What are the requirements of materials which are to be placed inside the human body? Discussion of examples
such as cobalt chromium, stainless steel and plastics.
Regulation of Medical Devices:
Categorisation of medical devices (Class I, II, III)
Quality assurance: (Motivation why it’s so important) ISO 13485:2003, CE Mark, FDA requirements QSR 820
Appreciation for regulatory affairs (Class I, II, III) devices link to risk management: low, medium, high risk
devices.
Case Studies
Design of hip and knee replacements.
Design of fracture fixation systems
Design of cardiovascular stents.
