Forum Program Snapshots
Name
Institution
John G. Webster
University of
Wisconsin, Madison
Email webster@engr.wisc.edu
Photo
Biography
PhD 1967, University of Rochester
Fields of Interest
Medical instrumentation, radio-frequency cardiac and hepatic ablation , biopotential amplifiers and interference,
bioelectrodes
Research
Electrode design for cardiac tachyarrhythmia ablation
We will optimize catheter design for the cure of atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) by radiofrequency
(RF) ablation. In the USA about 2 million people are affected by some form of AFIB. Each year about 200,000 patients are
treated for VT. This study will develop complex finite element (FE) models and perform experimental tests to optimize the
design of ablation catheters capable of producing long thin lesions for the cure of AFIB. It will also develop complex
numerical models and perform experimental tests to optimize the design of ablation catheters capable of creating wide
and deep lesions for the cure of VT.
Forum on Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Engineering Education
Jan 17-18, 2002
Forum Program Snapshots
Internships
Mentoring
Competition
Indpt Opps
Student Clubs
Clinical Opps
Opportunities Outside the Classroom
http://ecs.engr.wisc.edu/student/joblistings.cfm lists co-op and internships
http://courses.engr.wisc.edu/ecow/get/bme/200/webster/ In design courses juniors mentor sophomores
http://studentservices.engr.wisc.edu/innovation/ prizes of $10k, 7k, 4k, 1k
http://www.cae.wisc.edu/~bmes/ student biomedical engineering society
Informal at UW medical school and hospital
Forum on Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Engineering Education
Jan 17-18, 2002
Forum Program Snapshots
Course Descriptions
Course 1
Title
Faculty
Terms
URL
# students
Funding
Project Gen
Biomedical engineering design
John Webster, Willis Tompkins
Semester Terms: 6
http://courses.engr.wisc.edu/ecow/get/bme/200/webster/
Undergrad: 120 Graduate:
University of Wisconsin
E-mail solicitation to medical school, veterinary medicine school, medical device industry
Team Form
Prototype
Industry
Sponsor
Continue
beyond
course?
IP
Distribution?
Licensing?
Work
Product
1st day students select project of their choice until teams fill
BME design lab, college mechanical shop, college electronics shop
GE Medical Systems sponsors 1 team, Ohmeda sponsors 1 team
6 semester sequence provides continuing development
Students, client and advisor are named on patent disclosure to http://www.warf.ws/index.jsp
Reports posted at http://courses.engr.wisc.edu/ecow/get/bme/200/webster/
Forum on Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Engineering Education
Jan 17-18, 2002
Forum Program Snapshots
Course 2
Title
Faculty
Terms
URL
# students
Funding
Project Gen
Team Form
Engineering projects in community service (EPICS)
Frank Fronczak, Jay Martin, Fred Bradley, John Webster
Semester Terms: 4
http://epics.engr.wisc.edu/
Undergrad: 90 Graduate:
NSF, Corporation for National Service subcontract from Purdue U
http://www.morgridge.wisc.edu/ + word of mouth
1st day students select project
Prototype
Industry
Sponsor
Continue
beyond
course?
IP
Distribution?
Licensing?
Work
Product
Design lab, mechanical shop, electronics shop
Projects continue every semester until client is served
Students, client, advisor named
Reports posted at http://epics.engr.wisc.edu/
Forum on Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Engineering Education
Jan 17-18, 2002