OD9110 – Development of Implantable Medical Devices

This course builds on the principles of biomedical engineering and materials science underlying the design and development of implantable medical devices.

Knowledge

The learning objectives and outcomes will primarily

• Provide insight into the techniques to critically assess the performance, safety, and efficacy of existing implantable medical devices through case studies and clinical examples.
• Introduce the principles of design thinking and human factors engineering to optimize user interaction, patient comfort, and device functionality in implantable medical device development.
• Introduce the common modes of implant failure, including mechanical, biological, and material related factors, and strategies to mitigate failure risks through improved design, material selection, and surgical techniques.

Skills

The learning objectives and outcomes will primarily

• Analyze the anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical considerations influencing the selection of materials and design features for implantable devices.
• Evaluate the biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and degradation kinetics of materials commonly used in implantable medical devices, including examples from all classes of biomaterials, i.e., metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites.
• Explore emerging trends and innovations in implantable medical device technology, such as wireless connectivity, miniaturization, and smart sensing capabilities.
• Address the lifecycle of implantable medical devices, including preclinical testing, clinical trials, post-market surveillance, and regulatory compliance.
• Introduce the regulatory landscape and standards governing the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of implantable medical devices.

Week 1: Lecture 1

Week 2: Lecture 2

Week 3: Workshop: Essay topic discussion and approval

Week 4: Independent Research

Week 5: Outline, online submission

Week 6: Independent Work: Drafting

Week 7: Submit 1,500-word draft for feedback

Week 8: Peer Review (evaluation of the essay of one peer) and Workshop 2 with group feedback session

Week 9: Lecture 3 / participants prepare 10-minute talk

Week 10: Final Presentations: 10-min talk and 5-min Q&A

Participants finalize and submit 3,000-word essay (±20%), revised slides and reflection statement