Packaging, Labeling, and Sterilization in Capstone Design [Senior Design]

Lectures in capstone design courses provide an opportunity to present information needed by students to properly execute their projects and/or prepare them for their careers. They can be used to supplement reading assignments or introduce new material not presented elsewhere in the course or biomedical engineering curriculum. Three design topics that are often ignored in biomedical engineering curricula are the packaging, labeling, and sterilization of medical devices. Packaging and labeling are an important part of the final product and must be considered when designing a new medical device. Sterilization methods can affect the material properties and device performance and should also be considered during the design process. St udents do not need to become experts in these areas, but they do need to know that they must consider these when designing medical devices.