Medical Technology – BSc (Hons)

In Applied Chemistry you will learn the basics of Chemistry not just in theory but also practically. By the conclusion of the module you will come to appreciate how Chemistry applies to Medical Technology.

In Cell Biology you will learn the basis of how cells operate in the human body. This will include looking at the biochemical and physiological functioning of cells. This will provide a platform for the understanding of Medical Technology helps the human body.

This module introduces the learner to a range of healthcare specialties, professionals and technologies and applies introductory design concepts and models to these areas. Topics include: What is Design?, Quality in Design, the Design process, Design Models, Developing a product design specification.

You will learn about how a computer works, how it stores text, numbers, images, videos and sound as a series of 1s and 0s and how to write a computer program using the ‘c’ programming language. Topics include PC hardware and architecture, number systems, operating systems and programming in ‘c’.

You will be introduced to the basic principles of electronics. Over the course you will be introduced to some fundamental laws and simple electronic components such as resistors, batteries and circuits. You will discover or improve your understanding of the theory behind these components and explore simple basic circuits you can build using these components.

This module will help you develop the skills and confidence to study at third level. You will explore learning styles along with techniques for planning and managing your workload. The topics studied will link directly to healthcare related settings.

You will build on the basic principles of electronics. You will look at the reasons and science behind why everyday components have become much smaller, faster, and affordable. The course will also introduce you to electrical components, and simple common digital circuits. Finally, you will explore how the same components can deliver so many different functions when they are combined with simple logical operators.

The module will introduce the basic maths needed for science. We begin at an introductory level with topics such as ratios, percentages, basic algebra, and teach you how to  manipulate and solve equations, use graphs to show and describe data, and how to apply logarithms. Lecture materials are supported with weekly tutorials, and computer practicals.

You will build on the maths skills developed in term 1 with more advanced techniques such as; trigonometry, exponentials, and introductory calculus. Lecture materials are supported with weekly tutorials, and computer practicals.

This module will show you the importance of measurement in science, as well as presenting methods of describing many phenomena we see every day in the world around us. You will learn about the physics of waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, optics, heat, and the basic physics of the atom and radiation. There are all weekly labs where you investigate many of the topics covered in the lectures.

In this module you will learn about the Anatomy i.e. structure and Physiology i.e. function, of the human body. You will study the levels of body organisation and body systems and learn how these body systems interrelate with one another. You will be introduced to the medical conditions and disease pathologies associated with the body and the role of technology in treating or restoring physiological functions.

In this module you will learn about vectors and see they are so important for the physics of movement and forces. You will also be introduced to the topics of fluids, pressure, electro-magnetism and see their applications in devices such as the electric motor and MRI scanners. Your learning will be supported by hands on experience in the weekly labs.

Biomechanics is about describing how the body works in physics and mechanical terms, so that movement like walking or tasks like picking up a book can be modelled. This is important information that is used to design prosthetics and other devices that are implanted into the body. Topics studied also include the types of materials can be used for implanting in the body, from orthopaedic prosthetics to contact lenses and cardiac stents.

You will be introduced to Safety Principles that will keep you aware and safe while working with General, Medical, and Clinical electronic devices. You will learn about the hazards, their effects on you, how to prepare and protect yourself. The module will also introduce you to components and terminology employed by manufacturers to help build safer electronics and protect the patients, medical staff and the technical staff.

Have you ever wondered how a person’s heart is examined using an ECG, how a defibrillator can restore a heartbeat, why ultrasound can image inside the body, or how blood pressure can be measured using just a cuff and stethoscope? These are just some of the topics you will cover in this module that will introduce you to a variety of technologies commonly used in healthcare.

You will learn about how Information and Communications Technology is used in Healthcare to improve patient care and outcomes. Topics include; Hospital Information Systems, Electronic Health Records, Medical Imaging (DICOM), Barcoding in Healthcare, Patient Identification (rfid), Computer Networking architecture and standards, Computer Operating Systems.

In Infection Control and Sterilisation you will learn about microorganisms, their role in disease, how infections spread and ways to prevent and control spread of infections. You will gain practical skills in basic microbiology methods.

In this module, you will develop further mathematical skills to support your career in Medical Technology. You will study Complex numbers, Matrices, Vectors, Integration by Parts and Substitution and Differential Equations. You will learn how to solve mathematical problems using the Matlab application and scripting language.

This module builds upon the Analog and Digital electronics modules from first year. You will learn about the types and characteristics of sensors that are used to measure biological signals. The next step is putting together electronic components for signal processing and to build electronic systems used in medical device technologies. You will learn how to simulate the operation of these components and systems using LTSpice.

You will learn about statistical methods and concepts including: data handling and analysis, interpretation of results, probability and probability distributions and statistics for quality control in medical science.

This module focuses on the various methods of effective risk management in the management of medical equipment so that effective, safe equipment is available when needed. You will develop skills in the management of risk, quality, and safety in healthcare. Various strategies of risk reduction in the management of medical equipment over its lifecycle will be introduced.

In this module you learn about some key technologies used in a modern hospital environment, from diagnostic imaging equipment such as CT and MRI scanner, to therapeutic devices like a kidney dialysis machine. There will be a mixture of class-based theory and practical computer labs as well as physical interaction with common medical devices like infusion pumps and ventilation devices.

Work placement will provide you with broad practical and work experience (including medical/ clinical/ pre-hospital/ industrial) to enable you to gain the skills to function as an efficient and effective member of a multidisciplinary medical technology team.

You will be shown the systems and controls that have allowed Healthcare to move from a paper based process to a connected electronic system. You will be introduced to digital information systems and controls as well as exploring the emerging eHealth global world and the building blocks that are facilitating this transition such as clinical information systems, IT infrastructure, databases, and medical coding.

The medical technologies used in the operating room are technical, diverse and take in many principles from electronics to mechanics. That’s why Operating Department Technology gets a module of it’s own! You will learn how ventilators and anaesthesia systems work, as well as how to test and calibrate them; all about laparoscopy and electrosurgery as well as the technology used in the environment of the operating theatre.

You will develop your programming skills further in this module through learning the python language. Python is a scripting language that is used extensively in science and numeric applications. You will learn how to create and manipulate numerical data using examples from science and medicine. You will gain practical experience in using Scipy and NumPy.

You will learn about quality assurance and validation for medical technologists. You will practice practical quality tools and study quality documentation, ISO standards and auditing and will also learn to apply risk management techniques in equipment validation. You will be introduced to electronic healthcare records and laboratory information systems.

The healthcare industry is increasingly reliant on digital systems for storage of highly sensitive data relating to patients. As such, the security of these systems is of paramount importance. Topics of study include the various challenges of data security such as viruses and ransom-ware, techniques used to meet these challenges e.g. cryptography, firewalls and routine back-ups as well as the ethical and legal aspects specific to medical data.

This module introduces students to the best practice within a decontamination sterility department/unit in healthcare settings to ensure effective reprocessing of reusable medical devices, including endoscopes, and provide a knowledge for environmental and water infection control in healthcare facilities.

This module will pick up where the Radiation Safety module finishes with an introduction to the two main branches of Medical Physic; Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy. You will learn about the physical principles behind various imaging techniques and cancer therapies as well as aspects related to the day-to-day management of related equipment such as; CT scanners and Linear Accelerators. Issues relating to regulation and safety are also addressed in this module. Learners will continue to develop their computer skills in medical image processing practical sessions.

This module will teach you guiding principles for effective management in healthcare. The module will focus on the areas, of quality, hospital administration, regulatory compliance, incident reporting, communication strategies and budgeting.

This will follow on from the work you start in the Project Design and Management module in Semester 1, with the undertaking of a substantial project related to the field of medical technology. You will put to use your skills of research, data collection, analysis and presentation under the guidance of an assigned supervisor to produce a project dissertation relating to the healthcare industry.

This module will teach you the core skills needed for effective project management such as; designing project timelines, producing risk assessments, effective research techniques, issues of ethics, and creating your own project aims/ objective. Your communication skills will also be developed through presentations and written reports/ literature reviews related to your own healthcare related project.

Radiation has many clinical uses from the low energy x-rays used to image inside the body to the high energy x-rays used in the treatment of cancer. This module will introduce the basic physics of how ionising radiation interacts with living cells and the many important safety aspects associated with its use in the hospital environment. Learners will also develop their own basic software for solving simple radiation physics problems during computer lab based practicals with Python code.

The overall aim of this module is to create an appreciation for the multidisciplinary nature of technology in healthcare. This module develops specialist knowledge and understanding of assistive technologies, from limb prosthesis to alternative and augmented communication as well as technical solutions for treating renal impairment.

Whether involved in a clinical setting, industry, or commercial enterprise, standards form a significant aspect of professional activities. This module introduces the use of a standards based approach which instils a safer, more efficient, and high quality management of all medical devices. It is important for a professional working with medical technology, in both healthcare or industry settings, to understand fully how product and quality management system standards are developed, why/how they are used, where to find appropriate standards and the role they play in the life cycle of medical devices.