Course-PM

TIF050 / FIM604 Materials in medicine lp2 HT20 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the Department of Physics

Contact details

• examiner: Caroline Beck Adiels, beckc@chalmers.se
• teachers:

Caroline Beck Adiels, Researcher; Biological Physics, Physics, GU

Erik Olsén, PhD student; Nano and Biophysics, Physics, Chalmers  

Julia Wiktor, Assistant Professor; Materials and Surface Theory Division, Physics, Chalmers    

Martin Andersson, Professor; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Surface Chemistry, Chalmers                                                                              

Julie Gold, Professor; Biological Physics, Physics, Chalmers                

Uta Klement, Full Professor; Materials and Manufacturing/Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers                                               

Anna Ström, Researcher; Applied Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers - not confirmed

Nils-Krister Persson, Senior Lecturer; Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business (including The Swedish School of Textiles)                                        

Erik Adolfsson; Swerea - not confirmed

Course purpose

The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the main categories of materials used as biomaterials, with emphasis on their structure-property relationships, and to provide an introduction to specific materials commonly used in medical devices, as well as biosensors, drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Another aim is for students to be familiar with the special handling, performance and degradation criteria required for materials in medicine. 

Schedule

TimeEdit

Course literature

Course design

Changes made since the last occasion

Last year's critique mostly concerned the relatively low amount credits earned versus work input on the Journal club and Project work, respectively. This year, less focus will be put on the final examination questions. Also, this year, the final examination will be written online, hence, it will probably differ slightly from previous year's typical examinations. More information to come once the course is up and running.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

• Understand the basic structure and property relationships of metal, ceramic, polymeric and composite materials systems.
• Understand structure-property relationships of biological materials, including major tissues found in the body.
• Be familiar with characterization methods commonly used to analyse biomaterials.
• Name and describe a few specific materials in each of the main catagories of materials used in medicine, such as metals, ceramics, polymers, degradable polymers, biopolymers.
• Have an understanding of the requirements for materials used in several application areas in the body, such as soft tissue replacements, hard tissue replacements, blood contacting devices, as well as transplants and tissue engineered devices.
• Describe some advantages and disadvantages of the main sterilization methods used in the medical device industry.
• Describe the main degradation mechanisms of materials in the body.

Study plan

Examination form

The examination consists of different assignments, i.e., Journal club activities, Project work and finally a written exam.

The Journal club sessions as well as the Project work presentation are mandatory events.

Credits can be attained during the course which are added to the final written exam score.

Further details of how to conduct these assignments, how they are evaluated, deadlines etc. are (to be) found under each respective module. If you get sick and fail to meet a deadline or miss out on a mandatory event, be sure to contact your group members in such a scenario and also mail the corresponding teacher.