EC.710 D-Lab: Health
Medical Technologies for the Developing World
D-Lab Health provides a multi-disciplinary approach to global health technology design using real world projects and partners. The course explores the current state of global health challenges, and teaches students how to design medical technologies that address those problems. Students will use medical technology design kits to encourage an accelerated introduction to medical device design for developing countries. Example kits include: mobile health informatics, instrument design, diagnostics, microfluidics and drug delivery systems. Guest speakers cover fundamental topics in global health technology and help students identify design challenges. During the spring break, students travel to Nicaragua to work with health professionals to obtain direct knowledge of their medical device challenges.
Course Information
| Instructors: | Jose Gomez Marquez, Anna Young |
| Semester Offered: | Spring (Offered since 2009) |
| Lecture Location: | 4-163 (MW), E34-200 (F) |
| Lecture Times: | MW2-3, F2-4 |
| Units (credit hours) | 2-2-5 |
| Class Size: | 20 students |
| Grading: | A/B/C/D/F |
Recent Projects
| 2013 | Anemia iDX | A non-invasive and accurate point of care diagnostic tool for anemia utilizing laser reflectance spectroscopy |
| Glucodetect | A kit to make affordable glucose test strips using local materials in Nicaragua | |
| StethoKit | An innovative stethoscope kit designed for the developing world with the ability to record, playback, and simulate heart sounds | |
| 2012 | AspiraMolde | Vacuum casting system that takes the negative mold of a patient with a leg amputation and shortens prosthetic production time |
| circumVentilator | Attachment to mechanize bag-valve-mask (Ambu bag) ventilators to aid nurses while transporting patients over long distances | |
| GlucoSuite2012 | Qualitative diagnostic for routine diabetes monitoring based on short pieces of string coated in Benedict’s solution wicking blood samples | |
| The Infusador | Battery-powered syringe infusion pump with adjustable gear settings for variable rates of infusion for critical medication dosing for neonates | |
| 2011 | Low-cost Syringe Infusion Pump | Modular infusion pump for neonatal drug delivery with all movable parts made from locally available materials |
| Monicor | A user-friendly, modular EKG for health practitioners at all levels to record and transmit diagnostically useful information about cardiac health | |
| Nososano | A device that prevents nosocomial infections by enabling nurses and parents to detect bacteria culturing on IV catheters in NICU patients | |
| 2010 | Ambuzap | Portable low-cost defibrillator rechargable through the ambulance's power |
| BabyTracker | Labor contraction monitor for Nicaraguan hospitals | |
| EyeHeme | Non-invasive anemia diagnostic based on reflectance spectroscopy from the eye | |
| Nebshair | A breathe-actuated, dosage-monitoring attachment for jet nebulizers to treat multiple patients for respiratory illnesses | |
| Swiss Army Electrocautery | A combination scalpel and extendable electrocautery tip for rural surgical procedures | |
| 2009 | Cyclone | Pedal-powered centrifuge for developing world laboratories |
| GlucoTank | Sustainable method of testing glucose levels using colormetric tests and CCD readers | |
| Nebula | Safe, electric-free nebulization device | |
| POP bandage | Post-operative bandage solution with an infection alert and control mechanism |