Design in biomedical engineering: Student applications of design heuristics as a tool for idea generation

Abstract

Creative concept generation is an important source of successful innovation; thus, techniques that support creative conceptual designs are imperative to instruction on engineering design processes. One ideation tool, Design Heuristics, was developed through empirical studies of designs by professional engineers and in award-winning products. While the Design Heuristics strategies were identified and validated in the product design space, their application in biomedical engineering spaces has not been examined. In our study, we implemented a Design Heuristics lesson during one session of a semester-long biomedical engineering design course for upper-level undergraduates. In this paper, we present an analysis of three design teams from the course to examine the applicability and impact of Design Heuristics within biomedical engineering design problems. Findings revealed that the biomedical engineering students successfully engaged in idea generation using Design Heuristics to build new biomedical engineering concepts. The findings suggest that Design Heuristics can support idea generation in biomedical engineering contexts, demonstrating the value of Design Heuristics outside of the previously-documented mechanical engineering and industrial design contexts.