Methods to Promote Creativity and Technological Transfer - Advanced Design and Manufacturing Technologies for Biomedical Devices - page 289

Fig. 16.1 Result of brainwriting (or brainstorming) for fi nding possible solutions for optimizing
the weight of a hip prosthesis

numerous novel design approaches in the prosthetic industry. An additional evalua-
tion helps to fi nd the most promising strategies for further development.
Figure 16.1 shows the results of a brainwriting carried out a creativity session at
the “bioengineering” subject of the Master

s Program in Mechanical Engineering at
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (subject explained further on in Chap. 18
together with our analysis about project-based learning - “PBL” - for promoting
the development process of biodevices). Such brainwriting involved the opinions of
12 students, who were asked to write down at least three solutions for the proposed
problem in 5 min time. Many of them presented similar solutions and fi nally eight
relevant ones were summarized.
After obtaining the proposals for solution, these were assessed by their “value”
and “originality,” as a preliminary approach for detecting those with more future
potential. Result from assessment is included in Fig. 16.2 for further analysis. It is
important to note that the best valued proposals include “change geometry,” “use
porous structure,” and “use lattice structure.” More pragmatic solutions include
“improvements in materials” or “combining materials.”
Regarding the use of lattice and porous structures for improving prosthesis

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mechanical features and their overall properties, Chap. 7 already provided many
examples of current research trends, linked to the design and manufacture of such
structures and typical software for helping with design tasks (together with conven-
tional CAD software, also some specifi c tolls such as MeshLab and within).

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