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Engineering Project 1 - ELE00040C

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

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 2023-24

Module aims

  • Specify a medical device in response to an established clinical need.

  • Design, implement and test a medical device according to the specification.

  • Robustly evaluate the resulting medical device according to industry requirements.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes:

  • Develop a specification according to the customers’ requirements, with regard to technical, financial and other constraints.

  • Analyse the physical properties of a patient’s symptoms.

  • Design and build, a medical device utilising learnt mechanical, hardware and software skills.

  • Devise a relevant and robust test plan employing appropriate statistical methods to provide meaningful results.

  • Evaluate the device according to the customer's and other commercial requirements.

Graduate skills learning outcomes:

  • Explain team roles and dynamics, and the stages of development of a team’

  • Discuss the need for accurate laboratory record keeping’

  • Describe the need to work safely in laboratories.

  • Discuss the need to appreciate the ethical implications of their work.

  • Explain the concept of a work breakdown structure and project management tools.

  • Explain the need to hold regular meetings to discuss progress and technical issues.

  • Discuss their understanding of the risks involved in any endeavour, and that risks can be rated and managed.

  • Describe the need to plan their own time to meet project deadlines.

  • Show how to research, assimilate and communicate technical and non-technical literature, information and experimental results.

  • Explain the need to consider data integrity, storage and security needs.

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 65
Groupwork 15
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 10
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 10

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 65
Groupwork 15
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 10
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 10

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

  • Lab sessions will provide the opportunity to ask questions and receive verbal help and feedback about your progress in developing practical skills.

  • 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.

  • 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


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.