http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/duk_/lessons/duk_surgicaldevices_tech_less/duk_surgicaldevices_tech_less.xmllessontext/xmlTechtronics Program, biomedical engineeringmedicinematerialsbiocompatibilityx-ray imagingcomputerized (computed) tomography (CT)corrosionminimally invasivebiocompatibilitylaparoscopyvascular graftfiber optics

Students will discuss the special considerations that must be made when dealing with the human body, and will gain an appreciation for the amazing devices that have improved our quality of life. They will also explore how ‘Form Fits Function’. This lesson should serve as a starting point for students to begin to ponder how the medical devices in their everyday lives actually work.

This lesson and associated activity look at the special design challenges engineers face when designing surgical instruments. Engineers must consider how to keep instruments sterile and reduce corrosion. Students will be able to make hypothesis about the function of an instrument from its shape and material properties. Students will be able to state some of the considerations that must be taken into account by biomedical engineers when working with the human body, which might not affect other engineering disciplines. Students will be able to hypothesize why a certain material was chosen for a specific medical instrument. 2TeachEngineering.orgEmily McDowell (Primary Content Creator), Pratt School of Engineering, Duke UniversityS102851FNorth_CarolinaScience6.02 Analyze simple machines for mechanical advantage and efficiency.77United StatesCopyright 2012 - Techtronics Program, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke Universityhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2009-01-217Teacher