Overview of Course

Problem◦ Engineers help identify problems, unmet needs, and new product

opportunities in start-ups and established companies◦ 15% of capstone design projects are student generated; 85% of projects

defined for students (S. Howe, 2010)

Solution◦ 1 credit, junior level elective course◦ Clinical Issues in Biomedical Engineering Design◦ Allows undergraduate students to observe procedures and conduct

needs finding activities Increases clinical literacy, familiarity with medical technology Learn to observe, listen, ask questions to identify unmet needs; importance of

ethnographic observation

Exam on medical terminology OR orientation (professional conduct, workflow, working

with medical personnel)

Clinical observations (outside of class) Guest speakers address wide range of need areas

◦ Surgery, nursing, dentistry, clinical engineering, developing nations, people with disabilities

Final Deliverable: Project Proposal Goal: observe, reflect, incubate, propose project in fall

semester (as senior design project)

Field trips◦ Dental Technology Playroom◦ Laparoscopic Simulation Lab◦ Virtual ICU (eICU)

Clinical visits◦ Operating Room◦ Cardiac Catheterization Lab◦ Urology Lab◦ Interventional Radiology Lab◦ Intensive Care Units◦ Milwaukee Center for Independence

All course learning objectives were met May nurture entrepreneurial behavior 4 yrs: No project proposals used for senior design project

“The clinical observations are the best way to learn about the problems/needs of the OR.”

“The project proposal was very useful because it was the first time I was required to connect biomedical engineering issues to a possible product.”

Students own their intellectual property

Students can voluntarily sign IP agreements and NDA’s with sponsoring companies

Accommodations for confidentiality◦ Private presentations◦ Excluded from senior design book