Biomedical Engineering – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Programme internationalization:

• Studying abroad is optional.

This programme has a workload of 120 ECTS.

Specialities:

Biomaterials Science and Technology:

With this specialization you will be researching the fields of biomedical polymers, tissue engineering and membranes for artificial organs. Examples of current research are the development of advanced microstructures by photo-polymerization of functionalized degradable oligomers in stereolithography, or the tissue engineering of cardiac muscle, heart valve leaflets and blood vessels and the synthesis and processing of composite materials for fracture reconstruction in jaw and facial surgery. Pre-designed architectures based on biologically active materials are being developed to engineer muscles, bones and cardiovascular tissues in bioreactors, under conditions that mimic the natural environment. This research will be extended to incorporate the synthesis and characterization of large arrays of materials and their evaluation by high throughput methods, which will likely lead to the discovery of novel materials that perform well in their interaction with cells and tissues. Already one spin-off company has been created from the BST work. This company develops resorbable anti-adhesion barrier membranes prepared from polytrimethylene carbonate.

Biomedical Chemistry:

With this group you specialise in biodegradable polymers, drug delivery and tissue engineering. The research of the Biomedical Chemistry group focuses on creating composite molecules for a variety of applications. Various non-organic substances can be incorporated in biomedical materials. In this way BMC is providing medicinal science with a new generation of materials that will improve the targeting of therapies offered to patients. For example, the group has created molecules that are broken down by the body after a set time or that can be used to deliver drugs to specific places in the body. Entirely new tissues can be created in the laboratory. The group has also developed techniques to ensure optimum interaction between drugs and human cells.

Biomechanical Engineering:

Biomechanical Engineering specializes on the interaction between the human motor system and medical devices that supports the body. The focus lies on rehabilitation, orthopaedics and neurology. The Biomechanical Engineering group carries out research concerning the treatment of impaired interaction between nerves and skeletal muscles. The group tries to gain insights into the mechanical operation of the bodyâs motor system and to represent these insights in the form of models. The research group designed and is testing a super elastic implant for patients with scoliosis, a medical condition involving abnormal curvature of the spine. We are also developing a new type of implant that does not fuse with the vertebrae so that it can be used throughout the patientâs life. The results can also be put to good use in medical applications aimed at improving bodily stability. For example, researchers from the group developed the advanced robot trainer LOPES, designed to help patients to walk again after a stroke. Long training sessions with the robot can achieve the desired mobility earlier than without its aid, while cutting down the time physicians need to spend on the case.

Biomedical Photonic Imaging:

Choosing the specialization Biomedical Photonic Imaging means you will be investigating the use of light for medical purposes. The aim is to develop optical and hybrid optical-acoustical technologies for medical diagnosis in the fields of oncology and wound healing.

Biomedical Signals and Systems:

The central theme of this specialzation is Neural Engineering. The research focus lies on interfacing with the neural system. Such interfaces allow for monitoring and influencing body functions. The research carried out in this group is aimed at supporting the central nervous system in conditions like Parkinsonâs disease or strokes. It studies how electrical stimuli applied to the nervous system can restore impaired body functions. The researchers use models and knowledge of neurophysiology and anatomy to optimize the brain stimulation patterns. The group also studies how the body can control prostheses and how feeling prostheses can be improved by such means as cutaneous stimulation. Scientists of this group work together with hospitals and internationally operating companies to test their findings in a clinical setting. They investigate in cooperation with a rehabilitation centre how patients can be remotely monitored and trained with the aid of intelligent measurement and stimulation systems applied to their body, in combination with contacts with the physician responsible for their treatment. These innovative methods make it possible to treat patients outside the hospital.

Lab-on-a-chip:

This specialization is about research and development on Lab-on-a-Chip systems. These are miniaturized systems for biomedical and environmental applications which work on nanometer scales.

Clinical Neurophysiology:

Driven by clinical needs, with this group you focus on central nervous system disorders, aiming to develop improved diagnostics and guide novel treatments for clinical neurology. The research is performed at the interface of neuroscience and neurophysiology. The focus lies on central nervous system disorders, aiming to develop improved diagnostics and guide novel treatments for clinical neurology. In close cooperation with various other groups and the department of clinical neurophysiology of the Medisch Spectrum Twente, we work on specific themes, in particular epilepsy, stroke, and neuromonitoring. A common element is the use of the EEG as a diagnostic and research tool, assisted by real-time data processing, biophysical modeling and simulation. We also use robot-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation, in combination with high-densitity EEG. Another scientific theme is neuromodulation with applications for chronic pain, using spinal cord stimulation e.g. for the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy, tinnitus, and epilepsy. Group members and PhD students work part-time in a clinical setting, which assists in the translation of the research to the clinical reality.

Medical Cell Biophysics:

Here we try to increase the understanding of cancer and develop tools to improve the diagnoses and treatment of cancer patients. The investigations of the Medical Cell Biophysics group are aimed at gaining a better understanding of the properties of diseased cells. It is a basis for the development of technologies to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses. MCBP works mainly on various forms of cancer. The group has been a pioneer in the development of a technique for the detection of the very low level of residual cancer cells in the blood of patients who have already been treated. The presence of such âdormantâ cells increases the risk of metastases. The current challenge is to develop a method for removing the detected residual cancer cells from the body. The group has developed a robust and portable instrument, that can count lymphocytes to monitor the immune status of HIV patients. Currently, the group is further simplifying the test, so that it can be carried out by less experienced operators in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, the region that is mostly affected by HIV.

Membrane Technology:

If you specialize in membrane technology, the focus lies on the multi-disciplinary topic of membrane science and technology to control mass transfer through interfaces.

Nanobiophysics:

Specializing in nanobiophysics, you enter a multidisciplinary research group operating at the interfaces of physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. They perform research in molecular and cellular biophysics at the nanometer scale.

Signals and Systems:

This Signals and Systems specialization of Biomedical Engineering does research on signal processing a­nd system design. The systems that are characterized, analyzed, designed and realized, are all aiming at the processing of signals. The group studies the processing of images and the recognition of patterns in them. The results show great promise for use in medical applications. It has developed a system for measuring the constriction of blood vessels feeding the heart. Until recently, the accuracy of such measurements was influenced by the density of certain substances in the blood. Since the new method can correct the measured blood flow rates, this source of error is no longer applicable. Signals and Systems is particularly interested in what the measured data mean for the patient. The group also has years of experience in the development of computer systems that can generate 3D images of the body on the basis of differences in density (MRI) or in energy (CT). The current challenges are building memory into the system, achieving faster visualization and making this visualization interactive, and combining various imaging techniques in a single image.

Telemedicine:

Specializing in Telemedicine, you will be investigating smart and ambulatory systems for remote monitoring and (remotely supervised) treatment of patients. The clinical focus is on patients with human motor disorders of neurological origin.

Tissue Regeneration:

The main goal of this specialzation is to investigate technologies and science in the field of regenerative medicine which can be used for tissue repair. The focus is on cartilage and bone repair. The group studies challenging new scientific theories and technologies in the field of tissue regeneration. The group has been investigating bone and cartilage for many years. In addition, we determine what happens at a molecular level when specialized cells develop from stem cells. The group further makes bioreactors for use in research. Research into the possibility of enabling patients with type-1 diabetes to produce insulin in their own body, is starting up at Tissue Regeneration. At present, people with this disease have to inject themselves daily with insulin to release energy from the sugar in their blood. That is because they do not have the âislets of Langerhansâ â special regions of the pancreas where the hormone is produced in a healthy body. Researchers at Tissue Regeneration have developed artificial islets of Langerhans. It is expected that it will be possible to transplant these artificial islets on to the patientâs skin in the future.

Courses:

Graduation assignment(45 ECTS):
Course type: graduation
This course is given in year 2
This course is required to apply to.

Internship(15 ECTS):
Course type: internship
This course is given in year 1
This course is optional to apply to.

Accreditation

Accredited by: nvao in: Netherlands

Funding details

Scholarships / Grants:

University of Twente Scholarship: