Medical Device Innovation

Overview

Medical Device Innovation

Medical Device Innovation is a one-quarter, project-based course that invites freshmen and sophomores to invent and build medical devices, to learn how medical innovations are brought from concept to clinical adoption, and to apply design thinking to the broader healthcare system.

Through two design projects, students gain early exposure to clinical need identification, stakeholder interviews, ideation, and prototyping. Experts on intellectual property, FDA regulation, reimbursement, and startup financing introduce non-technical factors that help shape an innovation’s path to impact. Healthcare entrepreneurs and innovators illustrate course themes by sharing their own stories of failure and success.

Enrollment is managed through the Stanford Introductory Seminars website. Visit exploreintrosems.stanford.edu for more information, including application instructions and deadlines. Question? Contact Ryan Pierce.

Course title
Medical Device Innovation
Course number(s) Quarter(s)
BIOE 70Q Spring
Schedule Units
Tuesday/
Thursday
4:25-6:10 pm		 3
Eligible students
Undergraduate
(preference given to freshmen and sophomores)
Enrollment information
By application only (visit the Undergraduate Introductory Seminar website for more information)
Learning goals
  • Introduce students to the process of medical device design, to the non-technical factors that impact a medical technology’s clinical and market success, and to emerging themes that are shaping healthcare innovation.
  • Challenge students to apply design thinking to the broader healthcare system.
  • Accelerate exposure to the medical device industry to the early undergraduate years, when students are choosing majors, internships, and extracurricular activities.
  • Build students’ capability and confidence as problem solvers and communicators, transferable to any career path they choose.

What the Students Are Saying…

“BIOE 70Q gave me the privilege to learn and try out the design thinking process, which was an invaluable experience for me. In addition, having the chance to be under the tutelage of such seasoned entrepreneurs and investors was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I will carry with me post-undergrad.”

“Would 100% recommend this class. You learn so much that has real-life applications…. This course is great for anyone interested in medical device innovation. This has been one of my favorite classes at Stanford.”

“This was a great course. I learned many useful things, including need finding, medical device design, and prototyping. The speakers were all fantastic.”

“If you are thinking at all about health tech or medical device entrepreneurship as a career – TAKE THIS COURSE! Really great way to build connections and understand the field better.”

Course Leaders