Skip to main content
Unit outline_

BMET5992: Regulatory Affairs in the Medical Industry

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Supply of medical devices, diagnostics and related therapeutic products is regulated in most jurisdictions, with sophisticated and complex regulatory regimes in all large economies. These regulations are applied both to manufacturers and designers and to biomedical engineers undertaking device custom manufacture or maintenance in clinical environments. This UoS will explore the different regulatory frameworks in the 'Global Harmonisation Task Force' group of jurisdictions (US, EU, Canada, Japan, Australia), as well as emerging regulatory practices in Asia and South America. Emphasis will be on the commonality of the underlying technical standards and the importance of sophisticated risk management approaches to compliance.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AMME4992 OR AMME5992
Assumed knowledge
? 

MECH3921 OR BMET3921 OR AMME5921 OR BMET5921 and 6cp of 1000-level Chemistry and 6cp of Biology units

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gurvinder Singh, gurvinder.singh@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Gurvinder Singh, gurvinder.singh@sydney.edu.au
Lisa Emerson, lisa.emerson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz hurdle task Quiz 1 - Expectations
Principles of operation - confirming each student understands requirements
0% Week 02 100% required - can be retaken
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Tutorial quiz Quiz 2 - Mid-semester assessment
Assessment of Weeks 1-7
20% Week 08 Approx. 1 hour - details to follow
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO1
Assignment group assignment Regulatory Affairs in the Medical Device Industry
A combined written report and video presentation in a group work format.
40% Week 11 Details to be provided by Week 7
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial quiz Quiz 3 - Full Semester Assessment
Full Semester Assessment
40% Week 12 Approx. 90 minutes - details to follow
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

This unit has four assessment events:

  1. An expectations quiz – this quiz can be completed as many times as required (within the first two weeks) in order to obtain 100%. The score will be used as a multiplier for all remaining components of the unit. For example, obtain 100% (as is the goal), all further marks will be multiplied by 1.0. Similarly, if the student obtains an 80% on this quiz, they should take it again, but if they stop at 80%, all further marks will be multipled by 0.8. This is designed to ensure that all students are aware of the requirements of this unit to avoid miscommunication.
  2. A mid-semester quiz that covers all material up to the week prior.
  3. A end-of-semester quiz that covers all material up to the week prior – including material covered in the first quiz.
  4. A group assignment.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Typically, a 10% penalty per day will applied to the assignment for late submissions up to five days after which a mark of zero (0) will be recorded. For each quiz, a Special Consideration is required in order to facilitate a re-take of the quiz or other assessment event to manage the circumstances.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to instructors, course and assessment. What is a medical device and why regulate – history and an introduction to global regulations. What is the difference between quality and regulatory? Video: The Walking Wounded Tutorial: What went wrong? Common observed problems. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2
Week 02 Introduction to regulations and the the regulatory submissions around the world - similarities and differences Releationship between Product Development and Regulatory FDA 510(k) and PMA processes. Tutorial: Walk through how to classify and medical device and GSPR templates. QUIZ 1 (due online) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2
Week 03 Quality Management System (ISO 134845): Design Controls - design and development planning, design input, design review, design verification design validation, design transfer, design changes, design history file. Tutorial: Determining user needs and translating into requirements. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 04 Risk in devices and how to manage them – ISO 14971 and related standards. Tutorial: Hazards and risks Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 05 Quality Management System (ISO 134845): recap and useful technical standards: electrical safety, biocompatibility, sterilisation, packaging Tutorial: Develop a BioC test plan/total test plan for your device. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 06 The Ventilator Project Tutorial: Emergency Use Application Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 07 Small start-up experiences from different perspectives Tutorial: Case studies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 08 Quiz (Mid-semester assessment) and Quiz discussion Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Quality Management System (ISO 134845): issue management (NCR, complaints, CAPA, audit, data analysis) with expected problem solving tools. Tutorial: Solving non-conformances, root cause analysis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 10 Software - off the shelf, as a medical device Tutorial: Semester Overview/Discussion Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 11 Assessment due - Presentations on assignment Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Presentations on assignment (continued) Tutorial: Quiz 3 Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Cochlear Presentation: manufacturing process controls and medical device careers in Australia. Tutorial: Cochlear - manufacturing process controls Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance is required in all activities. Lectures will be run in hybrid mode (in class and zoom).  Live streaming lectures are interactive and accordingly require attendance at the prescribed meeting time. Any lecture recordings made available are for revision only and are not a substitute for attendance during the scheduled lecture time.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. define a timeline and meet deadlines for the completion of a complex project
  • LO2. understand and adhere to standard medical practices and ethical requirements as part of a product formulation
  • LO3. present findings of a design project in a concise fashion to peers
  • LO4. formulate a biomedical product and adjust to suit specific requirements
  • LO5. demonstrate a broad understanding of international regulatory requirements and the technical and engineering basis of these regulations as they relate to the practice of biomedical engineering in both industrial and clinical environments.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The 2021 version of BMET5992 is updated from previous versions with new UoS coordinator and guest lecturers from industry.

Additional costs

The unit may involve watching a video that is currently available via Netflix. Students may be asked to sign up for one month (or to use promotional offers) to watch one of the videos to be discussed in the unit. Est. cost: $0 to $15

Site visit guidelines

Should the circumstances permit, a site visit to Cochlear will be arranged. As at the time of writing, this appears unlikely in which case a 'virtual tour' will be given with Q&A with Cochlear staff during the session.

Work, health and safety

Social distancing measures will apply to all in-person (if any) components to this unit insofar as a tangible risk of Covid-19 spreading exists.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.