69466 - Biomedical Engineering Lab

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student:

• is able to simulate the behavior of biological systems using MATLAB;
• is able to use the basic instruments available in a measurement lab, such as function generators and oscilloscopes;
• is able to acquire and visualize data from simple biological sensors;
• knows the basics of database design and SQL language.

Course contents

INTRODUCTION TO MATLAB

We introduce the basic concepts for understanding the Matlab environment, in particular for matrix algebra, data visualization and signal processing.

*Lab exercises: applications to problems of clinical-biological interest.

FIRST ORDER LINEAR DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS

Differential equations and transfer function, analysis of the dynamic behavior of linear systems in the time and frequency domain (recalls).

Matlab instructions for the description and analysis of linear systems.

*Lab exercises: applications to problems of clinical-biological interest.

PARAMETER ESTIMATION APPLYING THE LEAST SQUARES METHOD

Linear model in the parameters.

Non-linear model in the parameters: linearizable/non linearizable model.

Matlab instructions for parameter estimation.

*Lab exercises: applications to problems of clinical-biological interest.

OSCILLOSCOPE AND FUNCTION GENERATOR

Principles of operation and functionalities of the instruments.

*Lab activities: practice with the instruments in the laboratory.

DATABASE DESIGN

Methodology for the design of a database.

Entity-Relationship model.

Logical Design.

The SQL language and queries.

*Lab exercises: database development and interrogation in problems of clinical interest.

Readings/Bibliography

Handouts and materials provided by the lecturers.

Stormy Attaway, "Matlab. A practical introduction to programming and problem solving", 2nd ed., Elsevier, 2012

Teaching methods

Classes will mostly consist of first-hand experiences in the laboratories: in the computer lab for basic training with Matlab, solution of numerical problems, database design; in the measurement lab for practicing with instruments. Face-to-face classes will introduce the topics and provide the theoretical background for the lab activities.

Assessment methods

Written/practical test aimed at assessing the skills acquired by the student during the laboratory activities, with particular reference to: i) the ability of using Matlab for the solution of problems of clinical-biological interest; ii) the ability to design a database and query it; iii) the ability to acquire, visualize and analyze signals with the basic instruments available in a measurement lab.

An example of the final test is available here.

Teaching tools

Notebook, projector, computer lab, measurement lab.

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Chiari

See the website of Stefano Diciotti