NOVEMBER 13, 2023 — Students enrolled in biology courses might think nothing of seeing “cadaver lab” on their syllabus. But it may surprise a few students in the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design (Klesse College) at UTSA.
Anyone enrolled in BME 4923, Orthopedic Medical Device Design, should expect it. UTSA students who are enrolled in the class recently made their third trip to Nvision Biomedical to implant orthopedic devices that they conceived, tested and manufactured into cadavers. Surgeons helped the students, along with engineers from Nvision, a local medical device and biologics firm.
The experience is a key step in the students’ semester-long project to take an orthopedic implant from concept to market.
UTSA students enrolled in Orthopedic Medical Device Design recently made their third trip to Nvision Biomedical to implant orthopedic devices that they conceived, tested and manufactured into cadavers.
“The cadaver lab is the day when all of their work is put to the test,” said Brian Kieser, Nvision CEO. “They demonstrated their device to a surgeon and the surgeon implanted the device alongside the student team. This is real-world feedback and an exact replication of the actual job of a biomedical engineer designing medical devices.”
This semester, the UTSA students made an ankle implant. The cadaver represents a patient who needs an ankle replacement. Over the duration of the course, the students were challenged to develop a design that solves the patient’s issue. Then, they used the 3D metal printer in the university’s Makerspace to create a model, implant it and ensure it passes regulatory guidelines.
“We are always looking to make the curriculum relevant and as close to the real world as possible,” Kieser said. “Nvision can contribute to San Antonio’s overall goal of creating and growing a biomedical innovation infrastructure by giving students exposure to different opportunities in biomedical engineering. We also can see the students in the same environment as they would work as Nvision engineers.”
Kieser said that Nvision has hired students directly from previous classes. He says that the class gives students a competitive edge when applying for jobs.
“We’re giving them a unique experience that differentiates them in the job market,” Kieser said.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
