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Senior Design Projects

The yearlong senior capstone course showcases your engineering skills by diving into a real-world biomedical engineering problem.
Undergraduate student Emma Taigounov at bench working on senior design project, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device accessory in Weill Hall.
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The BME4080/4090 capstone course is a key highlight for many undergraduates. First, you’ll learn design through case studies, activities, and a project. Then, pick a project idea based on your interests, current events, or insights from clinical and exchange programs. Next, form a team, understand your project’s needs, engage with stakeholders, and build a prototype. You’ll use hands-on skills, quantitative approaches, project management skills, follow ethical standards, as well as consider intellectual property. Finally, you and your team will showcase your project in a video infomercial, as well as a detailed technical report, and answer questions from peers and faculty.

Recent Design Projects

Recent Senior Design Projects

  • VestEASE

    Interventional radiologists and other medical professionals are often required to wear lead radiation protection vests for up to eight hours at a time. This prolonged use can cause chronic, potentially lifelong, back and shoulder pain. These issues can ultimately interfere with quality of life and the ability to perform medical procedures. Currently, available solutions either jeopardize physician protection against radiation or are bulky and can interfere with surgeries. Our support device is a customizable harness system that provides padding to the lower back, shoulders, and neck, aiming to make lead vest use more comfortable.

  • MedThreads

    Efficient and reliable wound closure is essential in emergency care because it minimizes the risk of postoperative infection, reduces overall recovery time, and improves cosmetic outcomes for patients. Current methods consist of sutures, staples, and adhesives, each with respective drawbacks. Addressing the insufficiencies of each method requires a solution that will balance speed, precision, and affordability while minimizing complications such as infection and wound dehiscence. MedThread’s EasiStitch device aims to combine the precision of traditional suturing with the speed of skin stapling.

  • HPV ClearCheck

    HPV is one of the most prevalent STIs, with approximately 80% of sexually active individuals contracting it at some point in their lives. Yet, there are currently no FDA-approved detection methods for men. This lack of screening leads to delayed diagnoses and exacerbates health disparities, especially across socioeconomic divides. HPV ClearCheck aims to address this issue through an affordable user-friendly testing kit designed specifically for men. By improving accessibility and accuracy, we hope to empower individuals to take control of their health while contributing to a critical advancement in STI diagnostics.

  • PRES-SURE

    Uncontrolled bleeding is life-threatening—having a tourniquet that is easy to apply and safe for long-term wear is critical. Recent concerns over large scale combat operations, such as those seen in Ukraine where evacuations are delayed and casualties overwhelming, underscore the need for prolonged field care solutions. PRES-SURE addresses this critical gap by proposing a semi-automatic pneumatic tourniquet that initiates timed reperfusion after one hour to reduce ischemic injury while providing precise pressure monitoring for up to 72 hours. Built for military personnel and rural EMTs, PRES-SURE is easy-to-use, cost-effective, and enables life-saving, limb-sparing care in the most challenging environments.

  • Optical Breast Cancer Screening Method and Tissue Mimetic

    Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer, with 313,500 new cases in 2024. While early detection significantly improves patient outcomes, conventional screening methods are avoided due to discomfort and cytotoxic exposure. We present a non-invasive optical imaging device that detects tumors by capturing ballistic photons transmitted through breast tissue, enabling high-resolution mapping of abnormalities. To facilitate development and validation, we engineered a physiologically and optically accurate breast tissue phantom. This dual innovation addresses critical gaps in diagnostic technology and biomedical modeling, thus advancing both research and clinical screening capabilities all while enabling a more comfortable patient experience.

  • Mammoflow

    Over 100,000 mastectomies are performed annually in the U.S. to treat or prevent invasive breast cancer. Postoperative drains like the Jackson Pratt (JP) are essential to recovery, using external suction to prevent fluid buildup. However, the JP drain’s stiff, static design often causes severe discomfort, especially when disturbed by routine movements. Mammoflow addresses these challenges with a segmented, flexible tubing system designed to absorb motion-induced forces, reducing tissue irritation and pain. By integrating patient-centered design elements that prioritize ergonomics, mobility, and emotional wellbeing, Mammoflow aims to support a smoother, safer, and more compassionate recovery journey for post-mastectomy patients.

  • ToolGether

    Intraoperative workflow interruptions, often due to device-related issues, account for approximately 15% of surgical disruptions and 25% of errors. ToolGether addresses this challenge by integrating radiofrequency (RF) ablation with retractable suction for blood and smoke into a single ergonomic, intuitive, and reliable instrument. This multifunctional design minimizes the need for tool switching, thereby reducing clutter in the OR and enhancing procedural efficiency. With its multi-channel chassis and elegant retraction mechanism, ToolGether aims to improve surgeon focus and reduce workflow bottlenecks during electrosurgical procedures.

  • SugarBusters

    Cravings for sweet foods contribute to excessive sugar intake, globally posing health risks such as obesity and diabetes. Our solution, SugarBuster, is an oral handheld device that uses synergistic multisensory stimulation to simulate sweetness. SugarBuster primarily relies upon a predictive thermal regulation algorithm with temperature feedback to oscillate thermal stimulation between 25˚C and 35˚C at a heating and cooling rate of 1.5˚C/sec when in contact with the tongue. In conjunction with a diffuser for olfactory stimulation and an adjustable color changing component for visual stimulation, our design will address these cravings without the need for sugar intake.

  • UroEase Innovations: NexGen Stent

    Pain, infection, and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) affects almost 80% of patients with indwelling ureteral stents. The widespread use of these stents in managing urological conditions makes it essential to mitigate discomfort and complications. UroEase Innovations has developed a coiled polyurethane ureteral stent with a zwitterionic coating designed to enhance patient comfort and reduce infection risk. The coiled configuration, pigtail ends, and drainage holes ensure secure anchorage and minimal migration within the ureter, while supporting continuous urine flow during obstruction, thereby reducing the likelihood of reflux. Additionally, the zwitterionic surface provides a durable, long-term hydrophilic barrier that inhibits bacterial biofilm formation.

  • NeoGrip

    Unplanned extubations are the fourth most common adverse event in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in North America, with risks ranging from airway trauma to cardiac arrest. Current methods to secure neonatal endotracheal (ET) tubes include using tape and the NeoBar frame, but these strategies can affect a baby’s skin, range of motion, comfort, and survival. Our solution is the NeoGrip, which fastens ET tubes by both clamping and tying them securely, ensuring the ET tube cannot be extubated by accident. Our device also grants a greater range of motion/comfort and protects the neonate’s skin via hydrocolloid patches.

  • Everlife Epi

    EverLife Epi merges two full-strength epinephrine autoinjectors into one palm sized housing. Each dose has its own button, spring stack, and needle launch mechanism, letting users deliver either injection with a single push. Parallel springs and space optimization cut overall volume by more than half compared to carrying two standard pens. These optimizations encourage users to carry around their EpiPens constantly. Integrated needle retraction shields, tactile clicks, and bright icons confirm successful delivery and prevent accidental sticks. By doubling dose availability without adding bulk, EverLife Epi raises preparedness and safety for patients at risk of anaphylaxis.

  • GrindGuard

    Bruxism, or teeth grinding, affects an estimated 8–30% of the global population. Though often linked to psychosocial factors like stress and anxiety, its root cause remains unclear. As such, few solutions address both the behavior and its complications—dental fractures, sleep disruptions, gum recession, and TMJ disorders. Custom mouthguards remain the gold standard, offering passive protection, but requiring replacement every 6–12 months at a cost of $300–$800, without relieving muscle tension. GrindGuard aims to extend mouthguard lifespan by detecting bruxing events in real time during sleep and delivering targeted heat therapy at the masseter to improve jaw mobility and reduce tension.

  • DuraSnip

    Improper cutting of the dura during epidural or subdural procedures poses serious risks to patient health and surgical outcomes. Current methods often require multiple tools or physicians, increasing the likelihood of inconsistent incisions. Our solution, DuraSnip, is a modular tool for customizable cutting of the dura and similar membranes while minimizing damage to underlying tissue. It features an interchangeable locking mechanism compatible with multiple ISO-standard scalpel blades for precision cutting. A novel shank design and protective arm combine the functions of a dural elevator into a seamless, single-instrument device, decreasing dural tearing and improving overall procedural safety in neurosurgical settings.

  • Speedy Splint

    Fractures and sprains form a large portion of EMS calls. However, the subsequent response may take several minutes to even hours to respond in remote cases. With traditional splinting methods taking time and skill, Speedy Splint System aims to develop a device that can slide on to an injured limb, molding to the user’s anatomy. To accomplish this, we use a polyurethane mixture that is activated by popping a pouch and squeezing to mix. This device is ideal to use in first aid and wilderness settings to quickly and easily stabilize a fracture before seeking further care.

  • Aire

    Aire is a water-based vape alternative that enables users to gradually reduce their nicotine intake while mimicking the satisfaction of a traditional e-cigarette. Aire empowers individuals to take control of their lung health on their journey to nicotine cessation.

  • SpineAlign

    SpineAlign is an innovative wearable device designed to enhance back health by continuously monitoring posture and movement. The device alerts users to adjust their posture, thereby preventing back injuries and encouraging healthier habits. Aimed at individuals prone to back issues, SpineAlign promises to empower users with actionable insights into their spinal health, fostering preventative care and long-term well-being.Re