Seminars

ME/IE 8773-8774
DESIGN & MANUFACTURING DIVISION SERIES
Medical Devices
Host: Arthur G.Erdman

Designing Medical Devices: What Mechanical Engineers Need to Know
by

Thomas P Andriacchi
Professor, Departments of Mechanical Engineering
and Orthopaedics/Sports Medicine
Co-Chairman, Biomechanical Engineering Division
Stanford University

Wednesday, April 21, 2004
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Room 1130 ME
Coffee and cookies will be available at 3:15 p.m. before the seminar in Room 1130 ME

Abstract: The biomedical device industry continues to expand and evolve rapidly. There are new and unique educational requirements for engineers who will take a leadership role in the future of medical device design. In the past, engineers with traditional educational backgrounds (e.g., mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering or chemical engineering) have successfully contributed to the design of medical devices, since most past and many present devices are composed exclusively of engineering materials. However, as engineered tissues become part of medical devices a new paradigm for medical design has emerged. Future design teams will require a better understanding of the interface between the physical environment of the device and the biology of tissue repair, growth and maturation. The introduction of engineered tissues into medical devices, coupled with the new regulatory constraints, reliability standards, and a changing economic environment for medical devices has created the need for a revolution, rather than an evolution, in the educational requirements for biomedical engineers. The purpose of this presentation is to address the educational needs for biomedical engineers trained to meet the unique demands of medical device design.

Bio: Thomas P. Andriacchi, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Orthopaedics/Sports Medicine at Stanford University. Previously, he was Associate Chairman for Research and Director of Biomechanics in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center and holds the faculty position of Claude N. Lambert, M.D.-Helen S. Thomson Professor. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1974.
Dr. Andriacchi's research focuses on the biomechanics of human locomotion and its biomedical applications to artificial joints, sports injury, osteoarthritis, and neuromuscular disorders. He is the author of more than 100 original papers, over 150 abstracts and numerous book chapters and is an active member of several national and international societies. He is a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Biomechanics and serves on the Board of Associate Editors for the Journal of Orthopedic Research. Dr. Andriacchi has received many awards, is Past President of the American Society of Biomechanics and past Secretary-Treasurer for the Orthopedic Research Society and a former member of its Board of Directors.

Informal Faculty Luncheon: Wednesday, April 21, 2004, 12:00 noon. Meet in 1100 ME and walk to lunch with other faculty. Prof. Andriacchi will be able to attend.