Bioinstrumentation Instruction Through Hybrid Wet/Circuit Laboratory Activities

Biomedical Engineering undergraduate programs traditionally consist of a linear circuits course preceding a Bioinstrumentation course. Recently, many undergraduate programs have replaced this sequence with only a measurement principles course that does not require a background in circuit theory. Unfortunately, this consolidation leaves a deficit in the students’ understanding of basic electrical principles. To address these issues, the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University has developed a unique, one semester, two credit junior-level course covering bioinstrumentation, bioelectricity, and measurement principles while only requiring previous courses in differential equations and basic physics. The class consists of a weekly three hour laboratory supplemented by a 50 minute lecture. The lecture portion of this course briefly presents the underlying circuit and theoretical concepts underpinning the laboratory procedure. It is anticipated that the inquiry-based and hands-on laboratory exercises in conjunction with extensive preand post-lab assignments teach complex bioinstrumentation, bioelectricity and measurement concepts. Basic circuit design and analysis are incorporated into 13 hybrid wet/circuit labs, ensuring that all circuit and signal topics are explored within the context of a biomedical phenomenon such as axonal membrane models, impedance pneumography, the basilar membrane of the cochlea, and the electrocardiogram. These weekly laboratories and preand post-lab exercises help to develop problem solving skills, critical analysis, independent study and life long learning skills. The laboratory component culminates in a two-week design project to solve a bioinstrumentation problem. Students employ a structured design process in problem formulation, brainstorming, research, design evaluation, and implementation. After the initial offering of this course, students learned basic circuit theory and fundamental measurement principles. These laboratory exercises develop the students' understanding of bioelectric phenomena and bioinstrumentation, and their ability to accurately measure physiological events.