Adv Designing for the Human Body
The course provides project-based learning experience in understanding product design, with a focus on the human body as a mechanical machine. Students will learn the design of external devices used to aid or protect the body. Topics will include forces acting on internal materials (e.g., muscles and total replacement devices), forces acting on external materials (e.g., prothetics and crash pads), design/analysis of devices aimed to improve or fix the human body, muscle adaptation, and soft tissue injury. Weekly laboratory projects will incorporate EMG sensing, force plate analysis, and interpretation of data collection (e.g., MATLAB analysis) to integrate course material to better understand contemporary design/analysis/problems.
Topics
- The purpose of this course is twofold: • to learn the fundamental concepts of designing devices that interact with the human body; • to enhance skills in mechanical engineering and bioengineering by analyzing the behavior of various complex biomedical problems; • To explore the transition of a device or discovery as it goes from “benchtop to bedside”. • Three separate written projects evaluating devices that interact with the body. Projects will focus on 1) biomechanical analysis, 2) FDA regulations and procedures, and 3) design lifecycle.
- Working knowledge of design considerations for creating a device to protect or aid the human body, force transfer and distribution, data analysis, and FDA approval process for new devices. Understanding of basic concepts in orthopaedic biomechanics and the ability to apply the appropriate engineering concepts to solve realistic biomechanical problems, knowing clearly the assumptions involved. Critical analysis of current literature and technology.
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027