BME313

Timed Online Assignment – January Semester 2022

Biomedical Devices
Friday, 20 May 2022 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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Time allowed: 2 hours

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INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS:

1. This Timed Online Assignment (TOA) contains FOUR (4) questions and comprises
SIX (6) pages (including cover page).

2. You must answer ALL questions.

3. If you have any queries about a question, or believe there is an error in the question,
briefly explain your understanding and assumptions about that question before
attempting it.

4. You MUST submit your answers via Canvas (similar to TMA submission) at the
end time of this TOA (as stated on this cover page). The 15 minutes grace period as
shown on Canvas is strictly meant for technical issues encountered during
submission. Thereafter, you will not be able to submit your answers and you will be
considered as having withdrawn from the course. No appeal will be allowed.

5. You are to include the following particulars in your submission: TOA Course Code,
SUSS PI No., and Your Name. Name your submission file as
TOACourseCode_FullName_StudentPI. Use underscore and NOT Space.
Example: TOAXYZ_RaphaelLee_T1923161 (omit D/O, S/O).

6. Your submission should consist of only ONE (1) file and must not exceed 500 MB
in size. The file must be a Microsoft Word file saved in .doc or .docx format. All
answers are to be typed using Times New Roman font, size 12 and single spacing.
Flowcharts and graphs may be scanned or photographed and embedded in the Word
file provided it does not exceed the file size limit of 500 MB.

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TOA – January Semester 2022
7. For answers which cannot be typed and require to be hand-written, ensure that
question number is clearly stated on each page. All uploaded images of hand written
answers must be clear, readable and complete. Marks will not be awarded for un-
readable or incomplete images.

8. To prevent plagiarism and collusion, your submission will be reviewed by Turnitin.

The Turnitin report will only be made available to the marker and you will not be
able to view it.

9. The University takes plagiarism and collusion seriously, and your Turnitin report will
be examined thoroughly as part of the marking process.

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TOA – January Semester 2022
Answer all questions. (Total 100 marks)

Question 1

(a) Identify the components (i) to (v) of the medical device shown in Figure Q1. With
reference to the components, examine the working mechanism of this device.
(10 marks)

Figure Q1: Image of a medical device

(b) In recent years, a new hearing device was invented as an alternative to the device
shown in Figure Q1. This device utilises nerves on the tongue, which are used to
transmit touch sensations to the brain, to interpret sounds picked up by the ears.
Construct a non-detailed conceptual design of this device.
(9 marks)

(c) Compare and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the devices discussed
in Q1(a) and (b).
(6 marks)

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TOA – January Semester 2022
Question 2

(a) Examine the working mechanism of the rebound tonometer in measuring

intraocular pressure (IOP). (6 marks)

(b) It has been reported that IOP measurements obtained by a rebound tonometer
were usually lower than that obtained using the Goldmann Applanation
Tonometer. Compare and discuss the factors that will affect the accuracy of the
IOP measurements obtained with the rebound tonometer.
(5 marks)

(c) Figure Q2(c) shows a Molteno Drainage Device that is used to treat glaucoma.
Examine the working mechanism of the device.
(4 marks)

Figure Q2(c): Image of a Molteno Drainage Device

(d) It has been reported that the performance of the Molteno Drainage Device is
dependent on the thickness of the fibrous capsule formed around the primary and
secondary drainage areas when the device is implanted.

(i) Evaluate the performance of the device in relation to the thickness of the
fibrous capsule. (5 marks)

(ii) Make recommendation(s) to improve the design with reference to your

evaluation in Q2(d)(i).
(5 marks)

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TOA – January Semester 2022
Question 3

(a) The Antigen Rapid Test (ART) kit for COVID-19, which is a lateral flow paper-
based assay, has become a familiar test to all of us during the
COVID-19 pandemic period (Figure Q3(a)). With reference to the World Health
Organisation (WHO) ASSURED criteria, discuss the suitability of the ART kit
as a point-of-care diagnostic device.
(7 marks)

Figure Q3(a): The COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) kit

(b) Using Design Thinking Principles, develop an improved version of the ART kit
for future applications. Describe your design in detail.
(10 marks)

(c) Apart from point-of-care diagnostic kits, there are also laboratory-based tests that
are used for diagnostic applications (e.g. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR),
serology tests, etc). Compare and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
point-of-care and laboratory based tests.
(8 marks)

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TOA – January Semester 2022
Question 4

(a) Figure Q4(a) shows an explant of a part from a pacemaker after long-term
implantation. Evaluate the performance of the retrieved implant and make
recommendation to improve its design.
(7 marks)

Figure Q4(a): Image of an explanted pacemaker lead

(b) Construct a conceptual design of a demand style cardiac pacemaker.

(6 marks)

(c) Figure Q4(c) shows an image of an intravascular ventricular assist device. Based
on your understanding of heart pumps, examine the working mechanism of this
heart pump device.
(6 marks)

Figure Q4(c): Image of an intravascular ventricular assist device

(d) Suggest and develop an improved design for the device shown in Figure Q4(c).
(6 marks)

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TOA – January Semester 2022