72552 - Biomechanics and Artificial Organs (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will own the basic knowledge necessary for  biomechanical modelling of musculo-skelethal and cardio-circulatory problems  and the operational and design principles of the artificial organs employed used for the treatment of patients with critical organs dysfunctions.

Course contents

Introduction:

• What is a model
• Basics in geometry and trigonometry
• Coordinate transformation
• Basics in kinematics and mechanics

Continuum mechanics

• Deformations
• Stresses
• Constitutive equations
• Viscoelasticity (linear and non-linear)

Muscle modeling

Fluid-dynamics

Cardio-circulatory system modeling

Mechanics of the cardiac muscle

Artificial Organs

Artificial organs for organ replacement.

Design and development of artificial organs: ideation, patenting, prototyping, experimental evaluation, clinical validation, CE marking.

Biomaterials and tissue engineering.

Systems for transcutaneous energy transfer to active implantable devices.

Heart: heart-lung machine, heart valves, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, ventricular assist devices, total artificial heart.

Eye: implantable visual prosthesis.

Ear: middle ear implants, cochlear implants, auditory brainstem implants.

Kidney: dialysis machine.

Liver: extracorporeal liver support systems.

Lung: artificial systems.

Laboratory workshops

Readings/Bibliography

Pdf material available on-line

Teaching methods

Class lessons, latoratory activity

Assessment methods

Written and oral test.
The test aims at evaluating the theoretical knowledge of the student and his/her abilities in facing design problems. Moreover, the analysis and synthesis capacities, correctness of language, clearness of concepts and exposition will be evaluated too.

Teaching tools

Office hours

See the website of Rita Stagni

See the website of Emanuela Marcelli