NPTEL Course: Microsensors, Implantable Devices & Rodent Surgeries for Biomedical Apps | IISc

Course Details

Bridging Engineering and Neuroscience: A Pioneering Course in Biomedical Technology

The frontier of modern medicine is increasingly defined by the seamless integration of engineering principles with biological systems. At the heart of this revolution are microsensors, implantable devices, and sophisticated surgical techniques that allow us to interface directly with the nervous system. A new, comprehensive 12-week course offered through NPTEL, led by distinguished experts from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), is designed to equip the next generation of innovators with these critical skills.

Course Overview: A Deep Dive into Neural Engineering

This advanced-level course, tailored for undergraduate and postgraduate students, demystifies the complex interplay between engineering and the nervous system. It is specifically structured for engineering students who need to understand neurobiology and perform precise surgical experiments on animal models, with a focus on rodents as the standard bioscience model.

The curriculum is unique in its hands-on approach, moving from theoretical foundations to practical applications in developing technologies for neurological understanding and intervention.

Meet the Visionary Instructors

Prof. Hardik Jeetendra Pandya (IISc Bangalore)

An Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering at IISc, Prof. Pandya is a leading figure in biomedical device innovation. After his Ph.D. from IIT Delhi and postdoctoral work at the University of Maryland and Harvard Medical School, he established labs at IISc focused on pioneering minimally invasive technologies. His research spans cancer diagnosis, e-nose systems for disease screening, and neuroprotective therapies for stroke and epilepsy. A recipient of the prestigious SERB Early Career Award and the INAE Abdul Kalam Fellowship, Prof. Pandya has a proven track record of translating research into patents, publications, and startup ventures like Scilogic Applied Research.

Prof. Shabari Girishan (RUAS)

An Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and a consultant epilepsy & functional neurosurgeon, Prof. Girishan brings over a decade of clinical expertise to the course. Trained at Christian Medical College, Vellore, and AIIMS Delhi, he is among the few neurosurgeons in India specializing in surgical cures for epilepsy and deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease. His parallel pursuit of a Ph.D. in Bio-systems Engineering at IISc underscores his deep commitment to bridging clinical neurosurgery with deep-tech development, particularly in neurosurgical electrode fabrication and imaging techniques.

Detailed 12-Week Course Layout

The course is meticulously planned to build competency from the ground up:

• Weeks 1-2: Foundations: Covers laboratory logistics, rodent husbandry, handling, and selection of species for neural experiments.
• Weeks 3-4: Sensors & Systems: Introduces neural sensors, data acquisition, epileptic seizure detection, and health monitoring for chronic experiments.
• Week 5: Models & Fabrication: Explores rodent models for epilepsy, stroke, and Parkinson's, alongside micro fabrication techniques (PVD, CVD, Lithography) for neural engineering.
• Week 6: Interfaces: Details behavioral setups, Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), and Micro Electrode Arrays (MEA).
• Weeks 7-8: Core Surgical Training: Provides in-depth training in rodent micro-neurosurgery—covering anesthesia, stereotaxic surgery, craniotomy, sensor implantation in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, and post-operative care.
• Week 9: Analysis & Hardware: Teaches neuropathological processing, euthanasia protocols, and electronic system development for experiments.
• Weeks 10-12: Signal Processing & Frontiers: Focuses on neural signal processing using tools like EEGLAB/ERPLAB, Event-Related Potentials (ERP), time-frequency analysis, decoding techniques, and the latest trends in neural engineering.

Who Should Enroll and Industry Relevance

Intended Audience: Engineering students and faculty, Medical students and faculty, and anyone interested in the interdisciplinary field of biomedical technology.

Prerequisites: A basic understanding of sensors (e.g., from the NPTEL "Sensors and Actuators" course) is beneficial but not mandatory.

Industry Support: The course content is highly relevant to industries and organizations such as MathWorks (for simulation), Open BCI (brain-computer interfaces), Medtronic (Deep Brain Stimulation systems), and the broader neuroprosthetic and medical device sector.

Key Learning Resources

Students will have access to a rich set of reference materials, including:

• Sensors and Signal Conditioning by Pallas-Areny & Webster
• Principles of Neural Science by Kandel et al.
• The Rat Brain by Paxinos and Watson (the quintessential neuroanatomical atlas)
• Key texts on Event-Related Potential technique and electronics.

This course represents a rare and invaluable opportunity to learn from world-class experts at the intersection of advanced engineering and clinical neuroscience. It is designed not just to impart knowledge, but to foster the creation of the next generation of diagnostic tools, therapeutic devices, and groundbreaking research that will define the future of medicine.

Enroll to be at the forefront of the biomedical revolution.

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