MEC4601 Implantable devices
Faculty of Engineering
MEC4601 Implantable devices is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2024 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2024
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 5 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2024 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.
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Overview
This unit is an introduction to biomedical engineering from the perspective of implantable medical devices. Topics include human physiology for engineers, principles of implantable medical devices, implantable cardiac devices, modelling of fluid flow, implantable sensors, application of control systems, biomedically relevant properties and phenomena, medical device development strategies, and medical device regulatory approval processes. During this time, project teams are formed and project proposals are developed to address a clinical problem. Project work continues with groups progressing through a strategy to develop an implantable medical device and associated commercialisation strategy.
Offerings in 2024
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Stage 1: ProposalThreshold hurdle15%
- Stage 2: Progress reportThreshold hurdle20%
- Stage 3: Pitch solution15%
- Stage 4: Final reportThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessmentThreshold hurdle30%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Analyse human physiology from the perspective of engineering to develop insights into implantable medical devices.
- 2
Draw on the underlying principles of operation of various implantable devices in a medical and scientific research context to design creative solutions for the next generation of medical devices.
- 3
Analyse the practical implementations and technical characteristics of various implantable medical devices to meet the requirements of human physiology.
- 4
Design and justify implementations of innovative medical technology, considering the technical, legal, health, safety, user and commercial requirements and limitations.
- 5
Engage a team to generate clear, concise and high-quality documentation and reports for oral and written communications of complex integrated ideas.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
During workshop sessions, you will be prompted to participate in polls, sharing your answers and opinions on topics discussed in class.
Each group of students will participate in a group as a member of a medical company that is trying to develop a medical product to address a specific medical problem. Solutions will be assessed at the end of the semester, based on an oral pitch and a written report.
The assignment in this unit will task you with developing solutions for a medical problem of your own choosing. Working in a group of your peers, you will design and create a medical implant or device to address the problem.
You will engage in a research project applying concepts of research methods to review a specific medical problem. Your task is to generate a hypothesis and provide supporting evidence that the proposed solution will work. A written report is due at the end of the semester.
Where it fits
MEC4601 is part of 6 areas of study in the 2024 handbook.
- BIOMDENG03Part C. Biomedical engineering knowledge and applicationBiomedical engineeringNo reviews yet
- ECSYSENG04Electrical and computer systems engineering technical electivesElectrical and computer systems engineeringNo reviews yet
- MATSENG05Materials engineering technical electivesMaterials engineeringNo reviews yet
- MECHENG03Mechanical engineering technical electivesMechanical engineeringNo reviews yet
- MDTCHMNR02Core unitsMedical technologyNo reviews yet
- ROBMCTRN03Robotics and mechatronics engineering technical electivesRobotics and mechatronics engineeringNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Pat Chen
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Pat Chen
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MEC4601?
MEC4601 has no prerequisites.
When is MEC4601 offered?
In 2024, MEC4601 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is MEC4601?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MEC4601 have an exam?
No. MEC4601 has 5 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include MEC4601?
MEC4601 is part of Biomedical engineering; Electrical and computer systems engineering; Materials engineering; Mechanical engineering; and Medical technology, and 1 other area of study.