Through a creative partnership between the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Pigman College of Engineering, senior engineering students are collaborating with UK physicians to design innovative solutions for unmet clinical needs.
Students in the F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D Department of Biomedical Engineering Senior Design course are paired with physicians and scientists, aiming to bridge the often-theoretical world of academia with the practical demands of clinical practice.
Davis Ferriell, PhD, director of undergraduate studies, leads the engineering course. Dr. Ferriell worked with UK Innovate’s Chelsie Ex-Lubeskie, innovation connection manager for the college, to identify UK physicians interested in collaborating with biomedical engineering students to develop solutions for unmet clinical needs.
Maureen O'Shaughnessy, MD, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery and chief of orthopaedic hand and upper extremity surgery, mentored a small group of students last semester as part of the course. She shared that the project required a relatively modest time commitment—only six to eight hours spread over a semester.
By inviting students to shadow her in the clinic and operating room, Dr. O’Shaughnessy allowed them to immerse themselves in the day-to-day demands and challenges faced by orthopaedic surgeons. This gave students a deeper understanding of the specialty and the practical needs of clinical environments.
Noting that many surgical tools are designed with the average male surgeon in mind, her group—comprised entirely of female students—targeted the overlooked need for instruments that support diverse body types and ergonomic requirements.
The students engineered a modular tool, adaptable to different grips and hand sizes, that minimizes strain on a surgeon’s thumb joint and improves handling strength. This innovative design, an enhanced “rongeur”, addresses a critical issue in orthopaedics, where surgeon comfort and tool efficiency can play a role in surgical outcomes.
Dr. O'Shaughnessy emphasized the importance of mentorship in collaborative endeavors like this, noting the invaluable contributions these students made and the mutual learning that took place.
“Supporting these young professionals encourages fresh perspectives and a creative approach to problem-solving, challenging even experienced practitioners to question the status quo,” she said.
Similarly, Mark Hoffman, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and chief medical officer for Good Samaritan Hospital, also found great value in mentoring senior biomedical engineering students in this course. Last semester, he mentored a group focused on a challenging issue in women’s health: developing a solution for contained tissue extraction during minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries.
Dr. Hoffman’s approach to mentorship emphasized student ownership of the project, treating them as peers and encouraging them to take the lead during meetings. He recalled how the students, with minimal guidance, showcased computer-assisted design (CAD) models and prototypes of their design, demonstrating their resourcefulness and dedication to the project.
Even though the group’s final prototype faced limitations, the project was a success in Dr. Hoffman’s eyes because of the professionalism and growth the students exhibited throughout the process. He praised their resilience and innovative thinking, noting that the “learning process itself” was invaluable.
By connecting biomedical engineering students with practicing physicians, the University of Kentucky is shaping a new generation of biomedical engineers who understand the technical demands and clinical realities of health care. These partnerships provide students with hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to real-world applications of their designs, preparing them for careers where they can drive tangible improvements in patient care.
