Annual call for translational design projects

Do you have an idea for a device or process to improve patient care? Have you identified a clinical problem that might benefit from technology development? Do you have a need for a device to support your clinical research program?

The Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC)and the College of Engineering are soliciting project ideas that originate in an unmet clinical need. For the past several years,undergraduate students in the College of Engineering’s Capstone Senior Design courseshave been collaborating with clinicians and researchersinthe School of Medicine to complete projects with clinical, translational, or point-of-care emphasis. Student teams work to conceptualize, implement, and test a functional prototype by the end of the course.

Past projects with the School of Medicine facultyhave included:

  • Customizable implant for chest wall reconstruction
  • Stethoscope earpiece adaptor for hearing impaired physicians
  • Walker offload force measurement device
  • Travel diagnostic eye prescription instrument
  • Motion translation unit for eyelid blink system
  • iPhone peak flow meter and EKG

Approximately 5-8 proposals will be selected by a committee comprised of College of Engineering and School of Medicine faculty. The committee will attempt to match student teams of appropriate background across departments. Funding for the chosen projects will be provided by the CTSC Pilot Translational and Clinical Studies Program. Selected projects will be provided with approximately $500 in supplies for the students to construct a physical prototype, or to provide the detailed plans for one, depending on project scope and fabrication costs. The best projects are appropriate in scope for a team of undergraduate engineers to make meaningful progress in a 6-month time frame (typically January to June, though some teams may seek an early start in Fall). The design process also requires significant creative input from the students. Projects that simply seek toimplement a preconceived idea or manufacturean already determined design are not suitable.

Please forward a brief (1 page) proposalto Dr. Nicholas Kenyon() addressing the following:

  • Clinical problem
  • Translational importance
  • Desired outcomes
  • Contact information for 1 or more persons willing to provide clinical mentorship (serve as subject matter experts)

A course instructor may contact you for additional information.

Proposals submitted by the following deadline will be given a priority review:5:00 PM,Friday, September 16, 2016.

Please note: If you have a project idea but cannot meet the above deadline or do not qualify for CTSC support, please contact a course instructor regarding submission of a project.

College of Engineering contacts:

Prof.Anthony Passerini (), Department of Biomedical Engineering

Prof. Jason Moore (), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Thank you for supporting translational medicine and engineering education!