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Unit outline_

BMET5992: Regulatory Affairs in the Medical Industry

Semester 2, 2023 [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
Steven Kennedy, steven.kennedy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz Weekly Quiz
Weekly quiz based on the lecture starting from week 2 to week 13.
40% Week 02 Approx. 30 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment group assignment Regulatory Affairs in the Medical Device Industry
Group presentation
20% Week 08
Due date: 22 Sep 2023 at 16:00
10 min+ 3 min Q&A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Group written Assignment
Assessment based on the group report
40% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2023 at 23:59
Written report
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

This unit has three assessment events:

  1. Weekly quiz that covers each week delivered lecture content
  2. A group presentation 
  3. A group written assignment.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Distinction

75 - 84

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Credit

65 - 74

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Pass

50 - 64

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Fail

0 - 49

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty. This grade, with corresponding mark, should also be used in cases where a student fails to achieve a mandated standard in a compulsory assessment, thereby failing to demonstrate the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard. In such cases the student will receive the mark awarded by the faculty up to a maximum of 49.

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:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. 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 medical device regulations. Definitions of medical devices, reasons for regulating medical devices, global frameworks for regulations, Quality and Regulatory departments in medical device companies. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2
Week 02 European and Australian medical device regulations. History, classification systems, approval pathways, post-market obligations. FDA 510(k) and PMA processes. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 03 US and Chinese medical device regulations. History, classification systems, approval pathways, post-market obligations. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 04 ISO 13485. Purpose of quality management systems, comparison with ISO9001 and 21 CFR 820, key elements of ISO13485. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 05 ISO 13485 continued. Management responsibility, resource management, product realisation, measurement, analysis and improvement. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 06 ISO 14971. Framework for risk analysis, safety by design, risk control measures, ongoing review and monitoring. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 07 ISO 10993. Set of biocompatibility standards. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 08 Assignment presentations. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Labelling and Instructions for Use. Why labelling is so important, applicable standards, specific country requirements, Unique Device Identifier. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 10 Recalls. Recall classifications, reasons for recalls, case studies. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 11 Software as a medical device. Challenges for software devices, classification, cyber security, artificial intelligence. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 12 Guest speakers from medical device industry. Presentation (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 13 Cochlear site tour Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend and actively engage in all timetabled activities of a unit of study. Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations and scheduled assessments. Non-attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment.

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 2022 version of BMET5992 is updated from previous versions with new UoS coordinator and guest lecturers from industry.

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.

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.