Teaching & practical trainings
Practical training in cardiotechnology
The practical training in cardiotechnology with the experiments:
Experiment 1: Blood pressure 1 (non-invasive, supervisor: Gatzweiler)
Theory of blood pressure, palpatory measurement, auscultatory measurement, circulation test according to Schellong
Experiment 2: Blood pressure 2 (invasive, supervisor: Gatzweiler)
Requirements for the measurement chain, pressure transmission, natural frequency, attenuation, pressure transducer, software filtering
Experiment 3: Cold dilution (supervisor: Gatzweiler)
Measurement of cardiac output according to the principle of cold dilution, experimental setup with special catheter application and operation of the BAXTER cardiac output computer.
Video on catheter application->
Experiment 4: Pacemaker, defibrillator (supervisor: Gatzweiler)
Programming of a pacemaker/defibrillator, functional check with a computerised ECG simulator
Experiment 5: Pre-load/after-load test stand (supervisor: Gatzweiler)
Determination of pump parameters such as volume flow, pump pressure and speed, with different pre-load and after-load.
Experiment 6: Ventilation 1 (supervisor: Prof. Weber)
Mechanical properties of the lungs, ventilation therapy, definition of compliance, resistance and compartment. Connection of a lung simulator to a ventilator. Recording the effect of different filling speeds on the pressure in front of and in the lungs, influence on compliance and resistance.
Experiment 7: Ventilation 2 (supervisor: Prof. Weber)
Ventilation patterns, timing of inspiration and influence of changing the respiratory stroke volume.
Experiment 8: Spirometry (supervisor: Prof. Weber)
Lung function diagnostics, use of a vitalograph (respiratory burst method), determination of respiratory flow and volume. Determination of respiratory resistance during resting breathing and over the entire vital capacity
Experiment 9: Electrocardiogram, Prof Weber
Exercise ECG, long-term ECG
Experiment 10: PaceMaker Project (supervisor: Gatzweiler)
Assembly and commissioning of a pacemaker circuit. Functional check on the ECG simulator.
The practical training is offered in the area of specialisation Cardiotechnology / Medical Process Engineering and in the Master's course Biomedical Engineering.
Pacemaker Project
NEW: The pacemaker circuit can now also be simulated with the free circuit simulation software LTspice. The software is available free of charge for Windows or Mac OS. This allows you to gradually put the pacemaker circuit into operation on your PC or notebook and familiarise yourself with how it works. More information is available in the secure area on ILIAS.
The "Pacemaker Project", a do-it-yourself pacemaker circuit
The "Pacemaker Project" brings an application from the world of biomedicine to our practical training. The aim is to show the students the work steps from the creation of the electrical circuit diagram to the commissioning of the pacemaker circuit. The students learn how to assemble the printed circuit board and how to use the measuring devices, in particular an oscilloscope. They can test the operation of the pacemaker on an ECG simulator. In addition, an ECG measurement amplifier is set up, which can be connected to either a PC or a microcontroller with LCD display.
The pacemaker has potentiometers for setting the frequency, pulse width and amplitude of the stimulation pulse. It is possible to view the stimulation pulse with an oscilloscope. The influence of these parameters can be tested on the ECG simulator, e.g. with regard to the stimulation threshold.
In the next expansion stage, the implementation of an activity sensor is planned.
PaceMaker Project Part 2: 1-channel ECG measuring amplifier
- Compact 1-channel ECG measuring amplifier, component costs approx. 25 €.
- Patient protection through optical isolation amplifier (isolation voltage 5.3kVeff /7kVpeak)
- Only one 9 volt block battery required on the primary side (patient side), secondary power supply via USB.
- Optional connection of a PC or notebook via USB (Windows/MacOS/Linux, no special driver required) or a microcontroller with LCD touchscreen display (costs approx. €50).
- User programme in VisualBasic or LabVIEW©
- The microcontroller is equipped with a micro SD memory card slot, which also enables mobile ECG long-term measurement.
