Reference Books and Timeline

Reference Books:
Medical Instrumentation, 4th edition, J.G. Webster
Advanced Engineering Mathematics (handbook)
Learning with LabVIEW, Robert H. Bioshop
Matlab (text book or learn from the software help)

Important Timelines:
Homework Collections (20%): two weeks after the assignment
Student Review Section (10%):
Middle-term Exam (25%): Mar. 10, 2:00 pm
Project Report (25%): May 1
Final Exam (20%): May 7, 1:00 pm

Chapter 1. Basic Concepts of Medical

Instrumentation
Walter H. Olson
Medical Instrumentation Application and
Design, 4th Edition
John G. Webster, Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
ISBN: 978-0-471-67600-3

Chapter 1: Basic Concepts of Medical

Instrumentation

Figure 1.2 Simplified electrocardiographic recording system Two possible

interfering inputs are stray magnetic fields and capacitively coupled noise.
Orientation of patient cables and changes in electrode-skin impedance a
re two possible modifying inputs. Z1 and Z2 represent the electrode-skin i
nterface impedances.

Medical Instrumentation System

Measurand (physical quantity, property, or
condition)
Sensor (convert physical measurand to electric
output)
Signal conditioning (amplifier, filter, )

Output display (visual, auditory, print )

Operational Modes
direct vs. indirect (cardiac output)
sampling (temperature) vs. continuous
(heart rate)

analog vs. digital

real-time vs. delayed time

Medical Measurement Constraints

Low signal (microvolt, low frequency)
Noises (60 Hz)
Inaccessible variables (cardiac output..)
Large variations (statistical results)
Low input of energy (X-ray)
Easy operation
Safety of patients

Classifications of Biomedical Instruments

1. Sensed quantity
pressure, flow, temperature

2. Principal of transduction
resistive, inductive, capacitive, ultrasonic

3. Organ
cardiovascular, pulmonary, nervous

4. Medical specialties
pediatric, cardiology, radiology

Biostatistics
x

Mean

Standard deviation

n 1

s
CV (100%)
x

Coefficient of variation (CV)

Correlation coefficient (r)

2
(
x

x
)
i

( x x )( y y )
( x x ) ( y y)
i

Instrument Performance:
Static Characteristics (dc or very low frequency inputs)
Accuracy:
-- The difference between the true value and the
measured value divided by the true value
Precision:
-- The number of distinguishable alternatives
(2.434v vs. 2.43v)
Resolution:
-- Smallest incremental quantity
Reproducibility:
-- The same output over some period of time

Static Characteristics (continue)

Statistical control (multiple measurements)
Static sensitivity
Zero drift
Sensitivity drift
Linearity
Input range
Input impedance

Static Characteristics (continue)

Figure 1.3 (a) Static-sensitivity

curve that relates desired input
xd to output y. Static sensitivity
may be constant for only a limited
range of inputs, (b) Static
sensitivity: zero drift and
sensitivity drift. Dotted lines
indicate that zero drift and
sensitivity drift can be negative.

Linearity:
Figure 1.4 (a) Basic
definition of linearity for a
system or element. The same
linear system or element is
shown four times for
different inputs, (b) A
graphical illustration of
independent nonlinearity
equals A% of the reading,
or B% of full scale,
whichever is greater (that is,
whichever permits the larger
error).

Input Impedance:
(Voltage , force, pressure)
(Current,Velocity , Flow )

Power: time rate of energy transfer from the

measurement medium

Instrument Performance:
Dynamic Characteristics
Differential/integral equations are required to relate
dynamic inputs to dynamic outputs

Transfer functions
Zero-order instrument: n = 0
First-order instrument: n = 1
Two-order instrument: n = 2

Differential operator: Dk dk()/dtk

Operational Transfer Function:

(Algebraic)

D can be replaced by the Laplace parameter S (j):

Frequency Transfer Function:

Dynamic Characteristics
Zero-order instrument (n = 0)

Figure 1.5 (a) A linear

potentiometer, an
example of a zero-order
system, (b) Linear static
characteristic for this
system, (c) Step response
is proportional to input,
(d) Sinusoidal frequency
response is constant with
zero phase shift.

Operational Transfer Function:

Based on Kirchhoffs
voltage law:
y(t) = E/L [x(t)]

Frequency Transfer Function:

Dynamic Characteristics
First-order instrument (n = 1)
Figure 1.6 (a) A low-pass
RC filter, an example of a
first-order instrument, (b)
Static sensitivity for
constant inputs, (c) Step
response for large time
constants (tL) and small
time constants (tS). (d)
Sinusoidal frequency
response for large and
small time constants.

Differential operator: Dk dk()/dtk

Operational Transfer Function:

Frequency Transfer Function:

Advanced Engineering Mathematics (handbook)

Example 1.2 (page 30)

A first-order low-pass instrument has a time constant of 20 ms. Find the maximal
sinusoidal input frequency that will keep output error due to frequency response
less than 5%. Find the phase angle at this frequency.

Example 1.3 (page 31)

From a 2 KV source in series with a 20K ohm resistor, calculate the time required
to charge a 100F defibrillator capacitor to 1.9KV.

Second-order instrument (n = 2)

Figure 1.7 (a) Forcemeasuring spring scale, an

example of a second-order
instrument, (b) Static
sensitivity, (c) Step
response for overdamped
case z = 2, critically
damped case z = 1,
underdamped case z = 0.5.
(d) Sinusoidal steady-state
frequency response, z = 2, z
= 1, z = 0.5.

eq_01_25

fig_01_08

Medical
Instrument
Design

Homework
Edition 4: Problem 1.3 (page 42)

Edition 3: Problem1.3 (page 39)

y(t) = exp (-t/CR)

x(t)

t)

Homework
Edition 4: Problem 1.7 (page 42)
Edition 4: Problem 1.8 (page 42)

Edition 3: Problem1.7 (page 41)

Edition 3: Problem1.8 (page 41)