Overview

Static and dynamic analysis of muscle and joint loads; structure, composition and material properties of bone, ligament and tendon, muscle, cartilage, intervertebral disc and their common clinical problems; anatomy and function of the hip, knee and spinal joints; total joint replacement/implants; mechanisms of implant failure and implant design considerations; gait … For more content click the Read More button below.

Topic availabilities

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Tuition pattern

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Aims

This topic aims to introduce students to the anatomy, structure and biomechanical function of bones, soft tissues, cartilage and joints. Students will understand the viscoelastic behaviour of biological materials as well as common problems that occur, how they are treated in terms of joint replacements/implants, why they fail and discuss design strategies for the next generation of implants. Students will also learn about the practical/experimental methods used to assess the material properties of biological tissues, as well as the limitations of these experiments and approaches to minimise them. A deeper level of understanding, critical thinking and problem solving will be developed in this GE version of the topic.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:
1.
Classify the general principles of joint biomechanics, and their function
2.
Distinguish the concepts and theories of viscoelasticity as they apply to soft tissues, cartilage, and bone
3.
Propose how artificial joints function and why they fail, as well as their limitations
4.
Discuss emerging new technologies in the biomechanics field and the multi-disciplinary collaborative nature of biomechanics research
5.
Evaluate the relevant literature and identify a clinical problem, and take the first steps towards formulating a research hypothesis and designing appropriate experimental methods/analytical models to test the hypothesis
6.
Calculate joint reaction forces using static and dynamic mechanics analyses

Assessments

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Current students should refer to FLO for detailed assessment information, including due dates. Assessment information is accurate at the time of publishing.

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Requisites information

Anti-requisites:

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics (vectors, introductory calculus) such as can be obtained in MATH1121 Mathematics 1A. A basic understanding of material properties (e.g. stress/strain, modulus) such as can be obtained in ENGR1722 Engineering Materials and Systems/ENGR8752 Engineering Materials and Systems GE. A basic understanding of Mechanics (e.g. application of Newton's laws of motion) such as can be obtained in PHYS1101 Physics 1A. An understanding of the steps taken to evaluate the research literature towards formulating a research hypothesis.