Note: This unit is an archived version! See Overview tab for delivered versions.

MECH4961: Biomechanics and Biomaterials (2018 - Semester 2)

Download UoS Outline

Unit: MECH4961: Biomechanics and Biomaterials (6 CP)
Mode: Normal-Day
On Offer: Yes
Level: Senior Advanced
Faculty/School: School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering
Unit Coordinator/s: Dr Boughton, Philip
Session options: Semester 2
Versions for this Unit:
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Pre-Requisites: (ENGG1960 OR ENGG1802 OR PHYS1001) AND (AMME2302 OR AMME1362) AND MECH2901 AND MECH3921.
Brief Handbook Description: This course is divided into two parts: biomechanics and biomaterials:

Biomechanics

Biomechanics is an important discipline within the field of biomedical engineering that concerns understanding the human body and its interactions in mechanical terms. The human body consists of soft and hard tissues, fluids, articulating joints, interconnective systems and organs that interact with each other on a daily basis. These mechanical interactions are important through the whole of life including through injury, disease, treatment and rehabilitation. We will begin with a general introduction to biomechanics, modelling the human body from the macroscopic level to the microscopic level. Tissue mechanics, including linear, non-linear or viscoelastic descriptions will be covered. Specific examples of biomechanics will be explained including for: ligament, muscle, joint, soft tissue, human gait, brain injury, and implantable medical devices such as joint replacements. Analytical and practical test methods will be used to characterize biological specimens and respective medical implants designed to emulate or restore natural biomechanics.

Biomaterials

This course will involve the study of biomaterials from two perspectives: firstly, the response of the body towards the biomaterial – an immune response and foreign body reaction; secondly, the response of the biomaterial to the body – corrosion, biodegradation, and mechanical failure. Our study will begin with the response of the body towards the biomaterial. We will begin by looking at the immune system itself and then move on to look at the normal inflammatory response. We will then study in detail the foreign body reaction caused by biomaterials. The final part of this section is the study of protein adsorption onto biomaterials, with a strong focus on the Vroman effect. Then we will move onto the response of the biomaterial to the body. We will begin by a review of biomaterials, their applications, and compositions, and mechanical properties. We will then look at key problems such as corrosion, stress shielding, static fatigue, and mechanical failure. Finally, we will take a practical look at the materials themselves. Beginning with metals, then polymers (thermoplastic, thermosetting, and biodegradable), and finally ceramics (bioinert, biodegradable, and bioactive).
Assumed Knowledge: None.
Lecturer/s: Dr Boughton, Philip
Tutor/s: Kiera Taylor, Jeremy Kwarcinski, Peter Lok
Timetable: MECH4961 Timetable
Time Commitment:
# Activity Name Hours per Week Sessions per Week Weeks per Semester
3 Lecture 3.00 1 13
4 Independent Study
T&L Activities: Lectures

Guest speakers

In class exercises

Team projects with practical component

Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.

Attribute Development Method Attribute Developed
Follow a systematic ISO13485-defined approach to design process with capturing inputs through to generating valid outputs. Design (Level 3)
Develop a body of knowledge in the fields of biomechanics and biomaterials
Test hypotheses experimentally and apply technical skills
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 3)
Be able identify, access, organize and critically evaluate scientific and intellectual property knowledge alongside guidance from standards to form a solid basis for methods rationale and technical recommendations. Information Seeking (Level 3)
Be able communicate knowledge gained both orally and written, including documentation of technical requirements, specifications and test methods that are critical for ISO13485 design & development process. Communication (Level 3)
Engage with ethical frameworks for theoretical and practical work. Professional Conduct (Level 3)
Exercise professional accumen and management skills through ISO13485-compliant traceable documentation.
Take initiative to organise team responsibilities and report on positive and negative tracking outcomes.
Project and Team Skills (Level 3)

For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018.

Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.

Design (Level 3)
1. Utilising established research and intellectual property to form the basis for materials selection for an implantable device solution.
2. Articulate the engineering methods to demonstrate the biomaterials solution rationale suits the implantable device design requirements.
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 3)
3. Understand all the factors involved in the selection of a biomaterial for tissue replacement, including mechanical, biocompatibility, material property and fixation factors.
4. Apply engineering theory to characterise and analyse the biomechanical interactions of human body systems and it's interface with implantable medical devices.
5. Design and execute test methodology for characterising biomechanics & biomaterials related parameters for an implantable device solution.
Information Seeking (Level 3)
6. Review and critically evaluate scientific and intellectual property knowledge alongside guidance from standards to form a solid basis for methods rationale and technical recommendations.
Communication (Level 3)
7. Improve their written and oral communication skills in a technical setting, including documentation of technical requirements, specifications and test methods/results.
Professional Conduct (Level 3)
8. Articulate an awareness of how safety and efficacy priorities are fulfilled through project work.
9. Abide by applicable occupational health & safety & integrity policies, including for team work and lab-based work.
Project and Team Skills (Level 3)
10. Demonstrate the capacity to work effectively within a team environment and generating traceable documentation.
Assessment Methods:
# Name Group Weight Due Week Outcomes
1 Canvas Assessments No 10.00 Multiple Weeks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7,
2 Team Progress Report Yes 10.00 Week 6 (Saturday, 11 pm) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10,
3 Final Team Report Yes 20.00 Week 13 (Saturday, 11 pm) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
4 Team Presentation Yes 10.00 Week 10 (Friday, 8 am) 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10,
5 Final Exam No 50.00 Exam Period 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
Assessment Description: CANVAS Assessments are short exercises which will be assigned during the Friday lecture. You will need to upload your completed work to CANVAS by Saturday 11pm of that week.

Team projects will include Progress report, Final Report and Presentation.

Attendance at the three hours of class time per week is compulsory. The roll will be marked at the beginning & end of class. If you miss more than 10% of the lectures you will not have met the attendance requirements and will fail the unit of study.
Grading:
Grade Type Description
Standards Based Assessment Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI (previously D) for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS (previously P) for Pass and FA (previously F) for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy. Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies . Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.
Policies & Procedures: See the policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/student-policies/ for information regarding university policies and local provisions and procedures within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.
Recommended Reference/s: Note: References are provided for guidance purposes only. Students are advised to consult these books in the university library. Purchase is not required.
Note on Resources: There is no set textbook. Many general books on biomechanics, biomaterials, anatomy and physiology are in the Scitech, Badham, Medical, or Dental libraries.

Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp

Week Description
Week 1 Lecture: Introduction
Other: Team Project Work
Week 2 Lecture: Biomaterials lecture 1: The immune system and biomaterials
Other: Team Project Work
Week 3 Lecture: Biomaterials Lecture 2: The inflammatory response to biomaterials.
Other: Team Project Work
Week 4 Lecture: Biomaterials Lecture 3: Protein adsorption and surface engineering of biomaterials.
Other: Team Project Work
Week 5 Lecture: Biomaterials lecture 4: Biomaterials as engineering materials Part 1
Other: Team Project Work
Week 6 Lecture: Biomaterials Lecture 5: Biomaterials as engineering materials Part 2
Other: Team Project Work
Assessment Due: Team Progress Report
Week 7 Lecture: Biomechanics Lecture 1
Other: Team Project Work
Week 8 Lecture: Biomechanics Lecture 2
Other: Team Project Work
Week 9 Biomechanics Lecture 3
Other: Team Project Work
Week 10 Other: Team Presentations
Assessment Due: Team Presentation
Week 11 Lecture: NO CLASS - THESIS SEMINAR WEEK
Week 12 Biomechanics Lecture 4
Week 13 Biomechanics Lecture 5 & Exam Review
Assessment Due: Final Team Report
Exam Period Assessment Due: Final Exam

Course Relations

The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.

Course Year(s) Offered
Biomedical Engineering / Law 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering / Arts 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering / Commerce 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering / Medical Science 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering / Project Management 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering / Science 2013, 2014
Biomedical Mid-Year 2016, 2017
Biomedical / Arts 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Biomedical / Commerce 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Biomedical / Medical Science 2015, 2016, 2017
Biomedical / Music Studies 2016, 2017
Biomedical / Project Management 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Biomedical /Science 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Biomedical / Science (Health) 2018
Biomedical - Chemical and Biomolecular Major 2015
Biomedical - Electrical Major 2015
Biomedical - Information Technology Major 2015
Biomedical / Law 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Biomedical - Mechanical Major 2015
Biomedical - Mechatronics Major 2015
Mechanical Engineering (Biomedical) / Arts 2011, 2012
Mechanical Engineering (Biomedical) / Commerce 2010, 2011, 2012
Mechanical Engineering (Biomedical) / Medical Science 2010, 2011, 2012
Mechanical Engineering (Biomedical) / Project Management 2012
Mechanical Engineering (Biomedical) / Science 2011, 2012
Mechanical Engineering (Biomedical) / Law 2010, 2011, 2012
Biomedical / Science (Medical Science Stream) 2018
Mechanical 2015
Mechanical / Arts 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Mechanical / Medical Science 2015, 2016, 2017
Mechanical / Project Management 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Mechanical / Science 2016, 2017
Mechanical / Law 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Mechanical Engineering / Arts 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Mechanical Engineering / Commerce 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Mechanical Engineering / Medical Science 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Mechanical Engineering / Project Management 2012, 2013
Mechanical Engineering / Science 2011, 2012, 2013
Mechanical Engineering (Space) / Arts 2011, 2012, 2013
Mechanical Engineering (Space) / Project Management 2012, 2013
Mechanical Engineering (Space) / Science 2011, 2012, 2013
Mechanical (Space) / Medical Science 2015
Mechanical Engineering (Space) / Medical Science 2012, 2013, 2014

Course Goals

This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:

Attribute Practiced Assessed
Design (Level 3) Yes 22%
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 3) Yes 41.5%
Information Seeking (Level 3) Yes 12%
Communication (Level 3) Yes 13%
Professional Conduct (Level 3) Yes 8%
Project and Team Skills (Level 3) Yes 3.5%

These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018 which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018 for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.