Pediatric medical device development by surgeons via capstone engineering design programs

Abstract

Background: There is a need for pediatric medical devices that accommodate the unique physiology and anatomy of pediatric patients that is increasingly receiving more attention. However, there is limited literature on the programs within children's hospitals and academia that can support pediatric device development. We describe our experience with pediatric device design utilizing collaborations between a children's hospital and two engineering schools.

Methods: Utilizing the academic year as a timeline, unmet pediatric device needs were identified by surgical faculty and matched with an engineering mentor and a team of students within the Capstone Engineering Design programs at two universities. The final prototypes were showcased at the end of the academic year and if appropriate, provisional patent applications were filed.

Results: All twelve teams successfully developed device prototypes, and five teams obtained provisional patents. The prototypes that obtained provisional patents included a non-operative ureteral stent removal system, an evacuation device for small kidney stone fragments, a mechanical leech, an anchoring system of the chorio-amniotic membranes during fetal surgery, and a fetal oxygenation monitor during fetoscopic procedures.

Conclusions: Capstone Engineering Design programs in partnership with surgical faculty at children's hospitals can play an effective role in the prototype development of novel pediatric medical devices.

Levels of evidence: N/A - No clinical subjects or human testing was performed.

Keywords: Fetoscopic surgery; Medical devices; Obstetrical surgery; Pediatrics; Technological innovations; Urologic surgery.

Figure 1

Academic Year Timeline for Capstone Engineering Design Projects

Figure 2

Pediatric Device Prototypes Developed in the Capstone Engineering Design Programs