Gas Sensing in Biomedical Applications

The module provides knowledge about methods to determine medically relevant parameters in breathing gas. The following chapters are outlined:
chapter 1 – physics and chemistry of the atmosphere
chapter 2 – anatomy and physiology of the respiratory tract
chapter 3 – gas exchange in lung and body tissues
chapter 4 – infections of the respiratory tract
chapter 5 – metabolites in the breathing gas
chapter 6 – the measurement of gas mass flow
chapter 7 – amperometric methods for breathing gas parameters (electrochemical)
chapter 8 – resistive methods for breathing gas parameters
chapter 9 – capacitive methods for breathing gas parameters
chapter 10 – impedance – and capacitive spectroscopy
chapter 11 – mass spectroscopy and optical methods

After attending this course the students are able to
1. describe correctly the anatomy and physiology of breathing organs and tissue respiration with the involved biomechanic and biochemical processes,
2. to distinguish pathological and healthy conditions of breathing and breathing organs,
3. to characterize sensing principles for gas flow and breathing gas parameters,
4. to assess the implementation of such sensors into medical (diagnostic) applications.

basics of experimental physics, mathematics of differential equations

The knowledge is communicated in a lecture and exemplified in case studies taken from the professional experience of the lecturer. As far as possible and reasonable these case studies will be illustrated with practical demonstrations and digital media. The students prepare the contents by examination of the recommended literature and given exercises.

Presentations, videos, writing board

Gerhard Wiegleb, Gasmesstechnik in Theorie und Praxis, Springer Verlag;
Peter Gründler, Chemische Sensoren, Springer Verlag;
Fan Ren and Stephen J. Pearton, Semiconductor device-based sensors for gas, chemical and biomedical applications, CRC Press;
Sunipa Roy and Chandan Kumar Sarkan, MEMS and Nanotechnology for Gas Sensors, CRC Press;

In a written exam (30 min) the achievement of the learning results is tested. Except pocket calculators no auxiliary means are allowed. The exam questions require answers in short flow text, calculations and drawings with captions.
Expected answers have the form of short, describing text (learning result 1, 2), calculations and drawings (learning result 3) or bullet point text, calculations and drawings providing the solution to problems in given case studies (learning result 4).