BIO-ELECTRICITY IN HUMAN BODY: SYSTEMS AND CONTROL

The course aims to drive the students in the acquisition of the basic concepts of body bio-electricity processes, focusing the attention on the aspects related to the system theory and automatic controls field. In this context, it will be also presented different methods for bio-signals acquisition and analysis.

The course includes lectures for the acquisition and knowledge required and the carrying out activities aimed at their application. If the teaching is carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE REGARDS:

•  Advanced-level on physics and math
• Intermediate-level on linear systems theory and control
• Intermediate-level on programming languages

No preparatory requests for passing other courses are required.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Attendance is not mandatory, although strongly recommended to carry out adequately the final project.

Module 1. Neuron models and signals

• Neuron structures and functions the neurons, the action potential, the neuron communication
• The neuron electrical models and the axon transmission model
• The volume conductor field, the system to record neuron activity
• The muscle action potential.

Module 2. Bioelectrical models and signals of physiological systems

•  Peripheral Nervous System: electro-neurogram (ENG) 
•  Skeleton-Muscle System: e electromyography (EMG).
  
•  Vision System: electro-rethinogram (ERG), electro-oculogram (EOG).
•  Circulatory and Cardiac Systems: circulatory system and systemic parameters (blood pressure, blood velocity, cardiac output), heart electro/mechanical physiology, electrocardiogram (ECG), arrhythmia, and the artificial heart.

Module 3. Methodologies in bio-signal analysis 

• in time domain
• in frequency domain
• Case study (ECG, ENG, EMG, EOG)

COURSE TEXTBOOKS

T1) M. Bear, B. Connors, M. Paradiso, Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, Wolters-Kluwer

T2) J. L. Semmlow, B. Griffel, Bio-signal and Medical Image Processing, CRC Press

SUGGESTED READING

T3) Webster J.G., Medical Instrumentation: Application and Design, Wiley

T4) Michael C. K. Khoo, Physiological Control System: Analysis, Simulation and Estimation, IEEE press Series on Biomedical Eng., Wiley-Interscience

METHODS FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE LEARNED KNOWLEDGE

The exam consists of a practical and an oral exam.  The final evaluation will be determined by considering the assessment of both the oral and the practical exam. Learning assessment may also be carried out online if the conditions require it. 

The practical exam consists of a case study based on biomedical data analysis. This must be submitted by the end of the module and allows access to the oral exam. 

The evaluation of the oral examination will be based on: knowledge of the contents, the relevance of the answers to the asked questions, the ability to use technical language, and the ability to make connections between the contents of the program.

For attending students there is the possibility to do a test at the end of the module, lasting a maximum of one hour. The test is not mandatory but at the student's discretion. It consists of a questionnaire with questions (multiple choice and/or open) to verify the contents covered during the module. To pass the test you must answer at least 50% of the questions correctly. If passed, at the student's discretion, the evaluation may either be acquired as an oral exam, or integrated with an oral exam on limited contents deemed appropriate by the teacher, or not considered. In the case of oral integration, it is possible to increase of a  maximum three points the evaluation acquired by the test and the practical task.