Rehabilitation
engineering and assistive devices
Andrew
Rawicz (ENSC) and Steve Robinovitch
(KIN)
Calendar Information
Course Number ENSC
472-4
Course Title: Rehabilitation engineering and assistive devices
Credit Hours: 4 Vector
Course Description (for Calendar)
This course is intended to provide students with exposure to essential
topics in rehabilitation engineering and the design of assistive devices. The
course is organized into weekly modules, each of which includes a basic patho-physiology component, an introduction to related
rehabilitation engineering technology, and a laboratory/project component. All
modules will provide students with (a) an understanding of the scientific basis
for a specific area of rehabilitation engineering, (a) experience in the
application of standard medical
techniques for disability assessment, (b) exposure to biomechanical and
physiological measurement techniques, (c) experience in the design (including
ISO standards), construction, and evaluation of technological solutions to
enhance mobility, communication, sensory function, cognition, and independence
in daily activities.
(Attach a course outline to this proposal. The course outline
should show what topics will be covered, what reading will be
required/recommended, and how the final grade will be determined.)
Prerequisites: ENSC 372, KIN 201, KIN 308, KIN 448
Special Instructions: None
Course(s) to be dropped if this course is approved: None
Rationale for Introduction of this Course: This course is the
fundamental course for Rehabilitation Engineering concentration in the newly
proposed Biomedical Engineering program
Probable enrolment: about 20 students
Scheduling and Registration Information
This course would first be offered in Fall 2008. Thereafter it would be
offered annually in the Fall semester.
Which of your present CFL faculty have the expertise to offer this course? Will the course be taught by sessional or limited term instructors?
First and second block (see attached
detailed outline) and 3a, 3b, and 3c of the third block can be taught by Steve Robinovitch (Kinesiology) or a new faculty member in that
School. Blocks 3d, 3e, and 4 can be
taught by a new faculty in Engineering Science or a sessional
instructor from the industry. Block 5
will be taught by A. Rawicz (Engineering Science).
Are there any proposed student fees associated with this course other than tuition fees?
No
Does this course duplicate the content of previously approved courses to such an extent that students should not receive credit for both course?
No
Resources: Provide details on how existing instructional resources will be redistributed to accommodate this new course. For instance, will another course be eliminated or will the frequency of offering of other courses be reduced; are there changes in pedagogical style or class size that allow for this additional course offering?
This course is proposed for a new engineering program “Biomedical Engineering”. We have insufficient instructional resources to accommodate this course. A new laboratory for this course will be created. A laboratory is an important component of this course.
Does this course require specialized space or equipment not readily available in the department or university, and if so, how will these resources be provided?
Yes. Additional financing for this course will be obtained from DTO.
Does this course require computing resources (e.g. hardware, software, network wiring, use of computer laboratory space), and if so, how will these resources be provided?
No
Approval
Date:
(Department Chair) (Dean) (Chair, SCUS)
ENSC 472-4 Introduction to Rehabilitation Engineering and
Assistive Devices
Rehabilitation engineering is a field of biomedical engineering that applies
engineering tools (design, modeling, and control systems theory) to enhance
mobility and ability to perform daily activities following disease or injury.
In addition to requiring strong knowledge of engineering design, rehabilitation
engineers must possess a solid
understanding of physiological systems in health and disease (neural,
musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory).
This course is intended to provide students with exposure to essential topics
in rehabilitation engineering and the design of assistive devices. The course
is organized into weekly modules, each of which includes a basic patho-physiology component, an introduction to related
rehabilitation engineering technology, and a laboratory/project component. All
modules will provide students with (a) an understanding of the scientific basis
for a specific area of rehabilitation engineering, (a) experience in the
application of standard medical
techniques for disability assessment, (b) exposure to biomechanical and
physiological measurement techniques, (c) experience in the design (including
ISO standards), construction, and evaluation of technological solutions to
enhance mobility, communication, sensory function, cognition, and independence
in daily activities.
Prerequisites: ENSC 372, KIN 201, KIN 308, KIN 448
Lecture modules (tentative):
3 hours/week
1. Pathology of sensory-motor systems - 2 weeks
1.a. Assessment methods of sensory-motor disorders -
1.b. Movement analysis -
1.c. Blindness assessment -
1.d. Hearing problems -
2. Restoring physical independence – overview - 1 week
3. Assistive devices - 5 weeks
3.a. User interfaces -
3.b. Visual prostheses -
3.c. Cochlear implants -
3.d Controls for wheel-chairs
3.e. Ventilators and bi-paps
4. Design considerations - 3 weeks
4.a. Biocompatibility of materials (summary)
4.b. Mechanical (overview)
4.c. Electro-mechanical
4.d. Thermodynamic
5. Safety and reliability considerations – standards in design - 2 weeks
Laboratory/project element involves designing, fabrication, and testing of a sensing/control system for a selected rehabilitation or assistive device. Students will works in groups of 3.
Suggested text: course notes
Grading elements:
1. Quizzes 10% (total)
2. Midterm 15%
3. Final 20%
4. Project progress steps (3 x 5%)
5. Project demonstration and final report 35%
6. Class discussions 5%