2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MECH5221M Spinal Biomechanics and Instrumentation (Distance Learning)

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Prof R M Hall
Email: R.M.Hall@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

a) demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the functional and biomechanical aspect of the spine;
b) critically evaluate the current literature in this area and present the finding through a variety of media;
c) plan, execute and report on a biomechanical aspect of the spine and its functioning and communicate this effectively to different stakeholders through a variety of media.

Skills outcomes
- Web based interaction. critical and literature review skills
- Poster communication skills, report and essay writing
- Understanding of the necessary underpinning anatomical and biomechanical details that are important for the development and delivery of spinal instrumentation and interventions.

Syllabus

The course will comprise five subtopics:

- Advanced spinal anatomy
- Advanced spinal mechanics including the use of different modelling strategies to elucidate the workings of the spine and its application to the development of spinal instrumentation
- Biomechanics of the intervertebral discs and their degeneration and replacement, spinal stenosis
- New techniques in spinal surgery as exemplified by vertebroplasty and prosthetic discs
- Advanced spinal trauma


The course is split into 5 basic subtopics:

1. Advanced spinal anatomy. This will focus particularly on the IV disc as well as the musculature that stabilises and provides motion to the spine.
2. Advanced spinal mechanics including the use of different modelling strategies to elucidate the workings of the spine and its application to the development of spinal instrumentation.
3. Biomechanics of the intervertebral discs and their degeneration and replacement, spinal stenosis. This will include the effects of degeneration in terms of neural function both of the spinal cord and nerve roots as well as the disc herniation. These phenomena are exemplified by low strain rate events.
4. New techniques in spinal surgery as exemplified by vertebroplasty and disc replacement.
5. Advanced spinal trauma. This will build on the work undertaken in the School of Engineering with other clinical and international collaborators on Burst Fractures using both experimental and computational methods.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Independent Learning	1	32.00	32.00
Private study hours			118.00
Total Contact hours			32.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

- Activities within supplementary materials in support of the core learning.
- Distance learning centred on web based materials. Supplementary materials will be supplied using the WWW.
- Additional support mechanisms will include Email support for more personalised assistance as well as telephone support.
- The monitoring of progress, outside summative assessment, will be undertaken using SAQs and online assessments (Additional activities such as those related to the SAQs will require 30 hours of activity).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

As with online modules progress is assessed through a number of mechanisms and on a continual basis:
- Firstly, access is monitored through web page logging. In each of the module units the students are requested to undertake a number of self-assessment exercises that are monitored through the web site. Email and telephone follow-up to queries.
- Further, the formal assignments are evenly distributed throughout the modules in a temporal manner.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Literature review - 2 parts literature search and literature review	40.00
Essay	Executive Summary	30.00
Poster Presentation	Poster	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 08/01/2014

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD