Implant design and optimization (Compulsory – 8 ECTS)

The course introduces students to rational approaches employed in the design and development of implantable medical devices, targeting various clinical applications, such as spinal-, craniomaxillofacial- and cardiovascular implants.

Topics include: Functional Requirements of medical devices; Anatomic restrictions (shape, size and fit); Interaction of implants with the human body (histology, toxicity etc.); Pre-surgical evaluation of surgical scenarios; Modulus miss-matching; The role of stress analysis in the design process and the assessment of their clinical performance.

CAD and CAE methodologies are introduced and students are guided through the optimization process of the design parameters of implants.