By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/ Umoja Standard.
Makerere, University: Located at the College of Health Sciences’ Biomedical Engineering Unit, the Design Cube is a cutting-edge innovation space that is revolutionizing the field of biomedical engineering in Uganda. The Design Cube is a collaborative effort between Makerere University and Duke University in the USA, with initial funding from the Dean’s Office and Venturewell, a USA based Non-Profit Organization. The initial concept was put together by Julius Mugaga, Brian Matovu, Dr .Robert Ssekitoleko (Makerere University) and Prof. Ann Saterbak (Duke University) in 2018.Â
More on the Design Cube, open this link;
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The Design Cube was established to address a critical gap in biomedical engineering design education in Uganda. According to Kworekwa, students were previously forced to rely on local craftsmen to build their projects, rather than developing their own engineering skills. The Design Cube provides a space for students to design, prototype, and test their ideas, with a focus on frugal design and locally relevant solutions. While the space at Makerere University was established to provide space for students to prototype their ideas, a twin makerspace was established at Duke University to mimic a resource constrained setting. This would then encourage students to develop frugal designs with limited access to tools and equipment.
The Design Cube is currently headed by Paula Kworekwa and runs a number of programs, ranging from Biomedical Engineering Design classes, to collaborative design programs. One of the key initiatives of the Design Cube is the Makerere-Duke Biodesign summer program, which brings together students from Uganda and the Duke University in the USA to design and develop innovative solutions to challenges identified from local healthcare facilities. Since its inception in 2022, the program has led to the conceptualization of twelve design projects, each of which addresses a critical unmet need in our local setting. It is exciting to note that two of the projects, the NEONEST (https://cheinnovations.com/ ) and HEMOSAVE devices have won multiple international awards and have local patents with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
In addition, there are a number of on-going collaborative research projects, with the aim of transitioning these from the research and development phase to market-ready products. These include the KeySuite, which is a low-cost laparoscopic kit, a low-cost gastroschisis silo bag, and a low-cost surgical fracture table, all of which are designed for the challenges and constraints of low-resource settings. The Design Cube is also home to a range of state-of-the-art equipment, including a Formlab 3B Plus printer (capable of printing biocompatible materials), a Prusa 3D printer, and a wide range of fabrication hand tools. However, despite these advances, the Design Cube still faces significant challenges, including limited funding and equipment.Â
To address these challenges, Kworekwa is calling for increased support from the university and external partners. “We need to increase our visibility and attract more funding and equipment to support our work,” she said. “We also need to expand our team to include more engineers, clinicians, and industry experts.”
The Design Cube is part of the Biomedical Engineering Unit at Makerere University, which has played a critical role in supporting the unit’s work. According to Kworekwa, the unit has provided financing, mentorship, and technical expertise, which has been instrumental in the Design Cube’s success.
The Design Cube’s approach to innovation is centered around the principles of frugal design and human-centered design. According to Kworekwa, this approach involves working closely with clinicians and other stakeholders to identify healthcare challenges and develop innovative solutions.
“We don’t just innovate for the sake of innovating,” Kworekwa said. “We innovate to address specific healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes.”
As the Design Cube looks to the future, Kworekwa is optimistic about the potential for biomedical innovation in Uganda. “We have a talented team of engineers and clinicians, and a growing network of international partners,” she said. “With increased support and funding, I am confident that we can make a significant impact on healthcare outcomes in Uganda.”
In terms of scalability, Kworekwa emphasized the importance of understanding the market and the needs of the end-user. “We need to develop solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of our healthcare system,” she said. “This requires a deep understanding of the market and the needs of our users.”
To achieve this, the Design Cube is placing a strong emphasis on business model development and market research. “We need to develop solutions that are not only technically feasible but also economically viable,” Kworekwa said.
The Design Cube is also working to expand its team and increase its visibility. According to Kworekwa, the unit is looking to recruit more engineers, clinicians, and industry experts to support its work.
Lastly, the Cube is a foundation to the efforts of the Center for Design, Innovation and Translational Excellence (CITE) (www.cite.ug/ ). CITE is a translation initiative by the MakBME unit and its UK partners to support translation of devices from design all through clinical trials till commercialization.Â
The Design Cube at Makerere University Biomedical Engineering Unit is a pioneering initiative that is revolutionizing the field of biomedical engineering in Uganda. With its focus on frugal design, human-centered design, and business model development, the Design Cube is poised to make a significant impact on healthcare outcomes in Uganda.