Module overview
Medical engineering requires an understanding of the human body, its structure and function in health, disease, dysfunction and with disability. This module will provide you with a conceptual background to aspects of human biology that are key in the use of healthcare technologies. We will therefore focus on some fundamental principles, such as metabolism and signalling between cells within organs and between systems and then focus specifically on systems of primary relevance in biomedical engineering, including the musculo-skeletal, cardio-vascular, respiratory and neuro-sensory systems, as well as the skin – the interface for many healthcare technology interventions. We will consider function in health and in some common impairments due to disease or injury and highlight the patients’, carers and clinician’s perspective of the condition. We will also consider the use of, or potential for, healthcare technology interventions in these conditions.