Overview

This unit will introduce students to a design-led process for the development of innovative medical technologies that address unmet patient needs. Students will work through a process of needs finding and screening, followed by concept generation and prototyping for proof-of-concept. This unit is taught by faculty instructors and a team of student mentors from Swinburne’s MedTech research programs, supported by guest lecturers from across the University and industry. This unit will prepare students for their capstone project through a process of self-guided learning.

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Design appropriate biomedical instrumentation systems to address specific healthcare needs (K1, K3, K4, K5, K6, S1, S2, S3, A3, A4, A5)
  • Construct biomedical instrumentation systems to address healthcare needs (K1, K3, K4, K6, S1, S2, S3, A1, A3, A6, A7)
  • Formulate appropriate instrumentation protocols and techniques to address healthcare needs (K1, K2, K3, K6, S1, S2, S3, A1, A4, A6, A7)
  • Apply computer modelling and numerical analysis software to process and manipulate data, including error analysis (K2, S1, A4)
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills via written reports, oral presentation and a reflective journal (A2, A4, A5, A6, A7)
  • Manage a project and work effectively in teams to solve medical technology problems (K6, S4, A2, A5, A6, A7)

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial		1.00 12 weeks 12
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Laboratory		3.00 12 weeks 36
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning		7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
ReportIndividual 20% 1,5,6 
Report 1Individual 30% 1,3,5,6 
Report 2Individual 50% 2,3,4,5,6 

Hurdle

As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:

(i) An aggregate mark of 50% or more, and (ii) 40% of the possible final marks for Stage 3 Report: Implementation Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.

Content

  • Understanding the process of design-led innovation
  • Exploring patient needs in thematic areas of medical technology (e.g. wearables, eHealth, prosthetics, assistive devices, etc.)
  • Screening opportunities based on specified selection criteria, such as economic or health system impact
  • Brainstorming and concept generation
  • Solution screening based on feasibility and applicable constraints, such as time, cost, invasiveness, etc
  • Proof-of concept by prototype development and evaluation
  • The program will include guest lectures on a range of topics
  • Depending on availability, potential topics will include market analysis, intellectual property, regulatory issues, business models, quality management and entrepreneurship case studies

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.