BMT-220 - Sensors for Bio-Medical Systems

3 credits

This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of sensor systems typically used in biomedical equipment found in a clinical and/or home health care setting. Starting with an introduction to the non-invasive sensors used to obtain classic vital signs (i.e. temperature, blood pressure, and respitory rate) and pulse oximeters for blood-oxygen level, the course precedes to answer the question of how these sensors are electronically interfaced to recording and display equipment. Next, sensors used to to monitor the electrical activity of the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle systems are examined (i.e. EKG, EEG, and EMG) with emphasis again given to the interface of the physical sensors to the electronics of recording equipment. Newly emerging, acceleration, pressure, magnetic, and touch sensors are studied in the context of medical sensing for a variety of functions including home health care. Again, the interface technologies (i.e. I2 C and serial peripheral interface, SPI, bus) used for this new class of sensors is studied. Invasive imaging devices used for endoscopy are examined next with attention given to the fiber-optics and CMOS active-pixel sensor technology employed. An overview of the theory and operation of standard imaging devices (i.e. X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, CT, PET, and PET-CTor PET-MRI) is given with particular attention paid to the networking of these devices. Students are introduced to basic test and measurement equipment used in this field and the fundamentals of sensor system operation evaluation.

Prerequisite(s): ELE-240