The focus of this IPRO section is on the design and development of selected medical devices. Generally speaking, medical devices represent instruments or systems used to prevent, detect, diagnose, treat various medical conditions, and care for patients in various settings in hospitals, long term care facilities, homes, etc. In particular, with the growing elderly population and an extended life span globally, there is an increasing demand for devices that assist individuals in living independently and enjoying a better quality of life.
This IPRO class may function as a new medical device incubator. Teams of students from various disciplines will be organized and have the opportunity to choose a candidate device or problem area from among several possibilities offered to the class. The teams will proceed to study the needs of intended users, review the state-of-the-art of available products and enabling technologies, and then conceive, design, and develop prototypes for innovative product concepts that create value. Students will have the opportunity to interact with medical professionals who have suggested the device/problem areas to investigate and obtain their feedback during the course of the semester.
