24010 - Laboratory of Bioengineering L-B

Learning outcomes

The goal of the course is to provide methods and technical competence in order to deal with problems of design and characterization of biomedical instrumentation and acquisition, analysis and processing of biological signals. The course takes place simultaneously with the teaching of Biomedical Instrumentation: the contents of the two teachings are strongly correlated. The course mainly consists of practical experiences during which students practice with laboratory devices (multimeter, oscilloscope, function generator), biomedical instrumentation (pressure transducer, pressure system calibrator), didactical tools for acquisition, visualization, and processing of biological signals (BIOPAC STUDENT LAB System), and software packages for analysis and processing of data (MATLAB).

Course contents

THEORY

Introducing statistics (descriptive and inferential statistics)

Variables, measures and data.
Measures of central tendency and variation.
Normal distribution and standardized variable.
Confidence intervals.
Hypothesis testing (t-test).

Linear second-order dynamical systems

Differential equation and transfer function.
Analysis of dynamic behavior in the time domain (step response).
Analysis of dynamic behavior in the frequency domain (Bode diagrams).

Introducing spectral analysis

Time-continuous and time-discrete signals.
Fourier series and Fourier transform.
Fourier transform of a time series.
Discrete Fourier Transform: Matlab command for computation of amplitude spectrum of a time series (fft).

 
PRACTICE

-   Computer practice: statistic analysis (Matlab).
-   Computer practice: electrode impedance and interconnection error; dimensioning input resistance of preamplifcator (Matlab).
-   Computer practice: measurement instrument with second-order transfer function, analysis of step response, Bode diagrams (Matlab).
-   Practice at the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory: static characterisation of a strain gauge pressure transducer (pressure transducer, mercury manometer, multimeter).
-   Practice at the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory: dynamic characterisation of a strain gauge pressure transducer (pressure transducer, pressure systems calibrator, function generator, oscilloscope).
-   Practice at the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory: acquisition of  electromyographic signals and spectral analysis (Biopac Student Lab System, Matlab).

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes delivered by the professor.

Teaching methods

Theoretical concepts are exposed in hall. Computer practice is performed individually in the Computer Laboratory. To perform practical experiences at the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, the students are divided in groups.

Assessment methods

Written examination.
The final mark, in thirtieth, is proportionate to the grounding of the student.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Severi