Biomedical Engineering

Activity type

Discipline biomediche

SSD

BIO/09

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

3

Hours distribution

30 classroom hours

Lecturers

FILIPPO CARDUCCI
FILIPPO CARDUCCI

Activity type

Discipline biomediche

SSD

MED/18

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

1

Hours distribution

10 classroom hours

Lecturers

PAOLO SAPIENZA
PAOLO SAPIENZA

Activity type

Discipline biomediche

SSD

MED/09

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

1

Hours distribution

10 classroom hours

Lecturers

VALERIA RAPARELLI
VALERIA RAPARELLI

Activity type

Discipline biomediche

SSD

MED/09

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

1

Hours distribution

10 classroom hours

Lecturers

STEFANIA BASILI
STEFANIA BASILI

General Learning Objectives:
The course aims to provide students with an integrated view of the healthcare system, focusing on diagnostic and therapeutic pathways and the fundamental aspects of designing and conducting clinical research.

Expected Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
-Understand the main clinical pathways (diagnostic and therapeutic) in medical practice
-Collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals in the development of technological solutions
-Demonstrate knowledge of the methodological foundations of clinical research
-Recognize the ethical and regulatory dimensions of clinical studies
-Read and interpret clinical protocols and scientific outcomes

At the end of the integrated course the student will be able to
Module 1
• Understand the fundamental principles of human physiology relevant to biomedical engineering, with a specific focus on vital functions such as neuromuscular excitability, cardiac activity, circulation, respiration, and renal and digestive functions
• Integrate knowledge of different physiological systems to interpret their interactions and responses under normal conditions
Module 2
• Understand the main clinical pathways (diagnostic and therapeutic) in medical practice
Module 3
• Demonstrate knowledge of the methodological foundations of clinical research
• Recognize the ethical and regulatory dimensions of clinical studies
• Read and interpret clinical protocols and scientific outcomes
Module 4
• Understand the main clinical pathways (diagnostic and therapeutic) in surgical practice
• Collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals in the development of technological solutions

THREE YEAR DEGREE

Module: Elements of medical physiology
Introduction and general concepts
o Functional organization of the human body
o Homeostasis and control systems
o Body fluid compartments and transport across membranes
o Resting membrane potential and action potential

Nervous system
o Organization of the central and peripheral nervous systems
o Synaptic transmission and neurotransmitters
o Brain imaging techniques

Muscular system
o Physiology of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle
o Mechanism of contraction
o Electromyography (EMG)

Cardiovascular system
o Functional anatomy of the heart and blood vessels
o Cardiac cycle, cardiac output, arterial pressure
o Electrocardiogram (ECG)
o Hemodynamic and pressures
o Neural control of cardiac activity

Lymphatic system
o General organization and main components
o Essential functions

Respiratory system
o Mechanics of breathing
o Gas exchange and oxygen transport
o Neural control of respiration
o Spirometry

Renal system
o Glomerular filtration and tubular function
o Water, electrolyte and acid–base homeostasis

Endocrine system
o Endocrine glands and hormones
o Hormonal regulation and feedback
o Role of hormones in development and metabolism

Digestive system
o Digestion and absorption
o Hormonal regulation
o Regulation of gastrointestinal motility
o Energy metabolism and thermoregulation


Module: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Pathways
Pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in some frequent surgical pathologies and the application of
the most recent surgical approaches (laparoscopy, robotic-assisted surgery, and endovascular) to to
provide the basis for the development of artificial intelligence, and virtual or augmented algorithms.
- Stomach cancer
- Colon cancer
- Cancer of adrenal glands
- Obstructive artery disease
- Aneurismatic artery disease


Module: Clinical research design
Formulating research questions in the biomedical field
Types of clinical studies: observational and experimental
Structure of clinical protocols: objectives, design, inclusion/exclusion criteria
Phases of clinical trials (I–IV)
Basics of statistics applied to clinical research
Regulations and Good Clinical Practice in biomedical research
Contribution of engineering to clinical research: medical devices, data collection and management, artificial intelligence


Module: Engineering Technologies in Surgery
The aim of this program is to provide students with a solid and integrated understanding of the main clinical pathways in medical practice, with particular focus on both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.

The course begins with an introductory module dedicated to the definition of a clinical pathway and to the importance of Clinical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pathways (PDTA), highlighting the principles of evidence-based medicine and the role of multidisciplinary care.

A methodological module on the diagnostic approach follows, addressing history-taking, physical examination, laboratory investigations, imaging techniques, and the clinical criteria necessary for accurate diagnosis. In parallel, students will study the general principles of medical therapy, including clinical pharmacology, treatment monitoring, and the management of therapies in chronic patients.

The program then explores the main clinical areas:

Cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, peripheral artery disease), analyzing the entire pathway from acute management to follow-up care;

Respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD, respiratory failure, pneumonia), focusing on diagnostic imaging and therapeutic strategies;

Metabolic, endocrine, and renal diseases (diabetes, metabolic syndrome, renal failure), with emphasis on diagnostic strategies and long-term management;

Oncology, addressing the steps from histological diagnosis to therapeutic decision-making (surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy) and long-term patient care;

Autoimmune and rheumatologic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis), discussing diagnostic algorithms and immunomodulatory treatments.

A specific module is dedicated to the importance of multidisciplinary integration and healthcare systems, with insights into the functioning of clinical pathways, the hospital–community relationship, and the growing role of telemedicine.

The final part of the program focuses on integrated clinical simulations and the discussion of complex cases, requiring students to combine diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning. Working in small groups, students will be asked to design a complete clinical pathway for a chosen disease, to be presented and discussed in class.

Module: Elements of medical physiology
Dee Unglaub Silverthorn
Human Physiology - An Integrated Approach
8th edition
Year 2019
ISBN 9781292259543
Publishing date 05 Nov 2018


Module: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Pathways
Teaching materials
Scientific Articles


Module: Clinical research design
Reports provided by professors
Scientific articles


Module: Engineering Technologies in Surgery
Materials provided by professor
Scientific articles

Module: Elements of medical physiology
N/D
Module: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Pathways
N/D
Module: Clinical research design
N/D
Module: Engineering Technologies in Surgery
N/D

lectures/Flipped classroom if needed

OPTIONAL

quiz or oral

Which are the thrombotic diseases of the arteries?

Treatment with antiplatelet agents?

Treatment with anticoagulants?

Module: Elements of medical physiology

• Period of completion: first semester from October 3, 2025, to January 30, 2026. Lesson schedule (in-person): day of the week: Friday, time slot: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Language of instruction: Italian. Examination method:  the exam consists of a written test, consisting of multiple-choice questions. The test aims to assess: understanding of the fundamental principles of human physiology and the ability to integrate knowledge of different systems to interpret physiological responses under normal conditions. The written test will be graded on a scale of 30. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass the test and proceed to the oral exam. Final assessment: the oral exam and written test scores will be combined to determine the final exam grade.

• Lectures/Flipped Classroom (10 hours)
  • Books: Basic concepts of scientific research methodology

• lectures (10hrs)
  • Books: Case studies on major internal medicine conditions, including:Heart failure; Ischemic Heart Disease; Atrial Fibrillation; Type 2 diabetes; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Ischemic stroke