ENGR3232 Biomedical Device Design

Medical devices can be anything from a tongue depressor to a pacemaker with a microchip to a room-sized MRI, and everything in between. In this course, we will briefly consider the range of artifacts that are considered (bio)medical devices, how they are used, and who they are used for. We will primarily focus on the unique design constraints of and methods used in developing medical devices. We will touch on topics such as regulation and approval of devices, writing user requirements, writing product requirements, manufacturing practices, bioethics, and the body?s response to implanted materials and surgical interventions. The first half of the semester will be spent developing skills through a case study model. In the second half of the semester, students will complete a major design project, with an external partner, that is focused at a particular stage of product development.

This course is open to students of all majors, satisfies a design depth requirement, and can be used as a mechanical engineering elective. While the examples used are from the biomedical industry, the skills developed are relevant to other highly regulated fields as well (e.g. aerospace).

Credits

4 ENGR

Prerequisite

ENGR2250

Recommended Requisites

Foundational Biology