Engineering Project 1 - ELE00040C
Module summary
Project: Medical Device Development
This project will centre on the specification, design,
construction and test of a medical device, e.g. to measure a range of
neurological tremors of differing frequencies and characteristics,
such as those identified with Parkinson’s, essential tremor and
Dystonia. An emphasis is placed on testing of the resulting device,
using a test rig which can also be designed and built by the students,
e.g. a mechanical tremor inducer.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2025-26 |
Module aims
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Specify a medical device in response to an established clinical need.
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Design, implement and test a medical device according to the specification.
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Robustly evaluate the resulting medical device according to industry requirements.
Module learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
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Select and engage with technical literature in the pursuance of the project, critically evaluating and applying the information as appropriate
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Analyse a complex requirements document, and devise specifications and a response to tender document for a wearable clinical aid device
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Select and apply appropriate mechanical, electronic and programming techniques to model a complex system, and recognise and discuss in reports the limitations of their approach
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Design innovative solutions to a complex problem involving hardware, software, and system interconnection, considering stakeholder requirements. Solutions are required for a wearable device to collect data and a patient tremor simulator modelling tremors which may be encountered. (Clinical, legislative, and diverse users)
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Apply a systems approach to the design of a complex system
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Apply their knowledge of mathematics and engineering to the design of a complex system for analogue data gathering from a simulated patient suffering from a tremor inducing illness. The data will be processed and mapped to be used as a clinical diagnostic aid
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Use workshop tools and laboratory test gear to evaluate and debug designs
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Select appropriate materials and engineering technologies and processes to put their design into production with due consideration to costs
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Demonstrate the technical and practical impact of engineering design on new products on society, planning a business and product with respect to sustainability (including the full product lifecycle), ethical design, inclusion (especially in user design), risk (by following and documenting a risk management process) and security
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Describe and reflect on the role and effectiveness of quality management systems in a project
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Apply knowledge of engineering management principles to a successful project
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Function effectively as part of a team and describe the skills required for successful team-working, evaluating and reflecting on their own performance and that of the group
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Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences on complex engineering matters, and discuss the effectiveness of that communication in mentoring meetings
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Plan and record self-learning and development, via weekly record-keeping, and reflection on the team and their own skills in the final report
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Discuss security measures generally and specifically those employed with respect to medical data confidentiality and protection of product intellectual property.
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Discuss ethical issues with respect to medical engineering and this project specifically. In consideration of total product costs, set a pricing policy and discuss the ethics of profiting from medical conditions.
Module content
Conceive
Needs analysis, requirements capture & product specification
Students will be given a general overview of the project and briefed that they need to discuss with the client the application area and actual specification for their project. They will be given guidance on what a product specification should look like and that it should be able to be tested to verify the solution they come up with meets the specification. They should be given guidance on the basics of client meeting etiquette.
Innovation
Students will be introduced to some creativity techniques and be expected to produce an innovative but practical solution to the defined problem as they have specified it. Groups will be encouraged to collaborate, support and give advice to other groups. How we do the later is a challenge.
Design
Design
Students will design the electrical, electronic and mechanical aspects of a device including writing microprocessor code to control the components and collect data. They will be provided with system components and/or some working subunits. The design will be supported with 'normalisation' events when all groups will be brought to the same phase in the project design and build process. The design will include a fairly simple printed circuit board.
Modelling and Simulation
Students will use CAD tools to enable them to fabricate the case for their device.
Implement
Manufacture
Students will be expected to undertake all the necessary process steps to enable their printed circuit board to be made. They will fabricate the case and any required internal mechanical parts for their device.
Manufacturing limitations
Students will understand the limitations imposed by the manufacturing capabilities of the Department including the choice of available materials compared to that available in the wider commercial environment and how this impacts the Technology Readiness Level that can be achieved taking into account real device usage (water ingress, UV stabilisation, etc.).
Assembly and Test
Students will learn about the need for a testing approach from the outset of the design process and develop a test plan for their device.
Cost and market evaluation
Students will be expected to be able to show understanding of the commercial potential their device has.
Operate
Specifications for use
For their device students will document their record of the meeting(s) with the client to agree the client specification, produce a functional specification and produce a user operational guide.
Product Usage & Life Cycle
Students should explore the issues of wearability, user comfort, need to recharge (replace batteries), ergonomics, durability and material choice for wearer allergies and recycling.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 70.0 |
| Groupwork | 30.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Assignment | 100.0 |
Module feedback
'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.
The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.
Statement of Feedback
Formative Feedback
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Lab sessions will provide the opportunity to ask questions and receive verbal help and feedback about your progress in developing practical skills.
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Progress meeting sessions will give you the chance to discuss and receive feedback on your work plan and receive guidance on reporting writing from your supervisor.
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Questions can be asked at any time, and will be answered as soon as possible.
Summative Feedback
Individual feedback will be provided on your final report. You will also receive feedback for the other group-work based assessments.
Indicative reading
TBC