Classroom Learning

BME 462: Design for the Developing World

Measuring patient leakage currentThe DHT Lab sponsors a senior design course focused on designing medical equipment and devices for resource-poor settings. The course is case-based, where students' projects focus on a unique and specific challenge identified by a developing world hospital or partner. Throughout the semester, students actively participate in regular classroom discussions about developing world conditions, patent issues and engineering ethicsa mongst other topics.

Some successful designs that have been developed and prototyped during this course include: a cerviscope, equipment testing devices (ESU, ECG and defibrilator), and semi-permanent ECG pads.

The course can be used as a senior design course and is typically offered twice per year (spring and fall). The course typically fills quickly, so make sure you sign up early!

Prerequisites: Biomedical Engineering 354L; Statistical Science 130; Senior standing


BME 195: Medical Instrumentation in the Developing World

Dr. Malkin with studentsThis class is a discussion and case study based class that examines how medical devices have failed to reach the developing world. Of the estimated 1.5 million medical devices introduced in the developed world in the last 50 years, only a few dozen pieces of medical equipment have been specifically designed to be appropriate and affordable for resource-poor settings.

Students are given the opportunity to examine and discuss the factors that make the research, design and evelopment, introduction and marketing, maintenance and use of medical devices in resource-poor settings uniquely challenging.

This course is usually offered in the fall. 

Prerequisites: FOCUS participant