Program: Purpose | Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Medical-Engineering Hybrid Professional Development Program

Purpose

In 1823 a German physician Philipp Franz von Siebold came to Nagasaki and introduced the then state of the art medical equipment. In the present day and age of endoscopic surgery, tissue engineering, organ transplants etc. various medical technologies continue to make rapid progress. Wishing to continue Siebold’s aspirations, the collaboration between medical and engineering is designed to raise professionals who can specialize in both fields in order to contribute to the development of various medical technologies and medical equipment here in Nagasaki.

Regarding professional development through the innovation of medical instruments:

There is a shortage of Hybrid Medics
In 1823 when the German physician Philipp Franz von Siebold came to Dejima, Nagasaki - Japan, where he carried out surgery using surgical instruments from Holland. At that time Japanese students came from throughout Japan to use these medical instruments, later they went on to improve the instruments. Most modern state of the art medical instruments used in Japan even now, such as electric and ultrasound scalpels, continue to be developed and made available commercially in Europe or in the United States. However in the current era of endoscopic surgery, organ transplants and regenerative tissue technology, Japan is expected to become a leader in terms of both medical professionals and medical engineering technology. In order to achieve this, it is imperative that we reawaken this “Dejima mindset” that motivated the students to improve the medical instruments of that era. In order for Japan to once again be innovative in medical devices it will be necessary to have this “Dejima mindset”, that is to be able to successfully fuse medical needs and medical research. To be able to do this will require the development of professionals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to innovate new medical instruments. In short we need Hybrid Medical professionals who are able to form the bridge between research and commercial manufacturing, who can contribute to regional industrial promotion and are able to take leading roles in the creation of new medical instruments and/ or methodologies.

There is a shortage of Hybrid Medics

In 1823 when the German physician Philipp Franz von Siebold came to Dejima, Nagasaki - Japan, where he carried out surgery using surgical instruments from Holland. At that time Japanese students came from throughout Japan to use these medical instruments, later they went on to improve the instruments. Most modern state of the art medical instruments used in Japan even now, such as electric and ultrasound scalpels, continue to be developed and made available commercially in Europe or in the United States.
However in the current era of endoscopic surgery, organ transplants and regenerative tissue technology, Japan is expected to become a leader in terms of both medical professionals and medical engineering technology. In order to achieve this, it is imperative that we reawaken this “Dejima mindset” that motivated the students to improve the medical instruments of that era.

In order for Japan to once again be innovative in medical devices it will be necessary to have this “Dejima mindset”, that is to be able to successfully fuse medical needs and medical research. To be able to do this will require the development of professionals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to innovate new medical instruments. In short we need Hybrid Medical professionals who are able to form the bridge between research and commercial manufacturing, who can contribute to regional industrial promotion and are able to take leading roles in the creation of new medical instruments and/ or methodologies.

Regarding the collaboration of Medical and Engineering education:

What are the benefits of a dual Medical and Engineering Education program?
In order to be able to nurture Medical Engineering Hybrid medics, an infrastructure is required to facilitate collaboration between both medical and engineering undergraduate schools, graduate schools and the respective local communities. Innovative educational reform will be required to realize this infrastructure which must provide a seamless interface between departments and research faculties, so that a mutual understanding of each faculty’s strengths and specialization is clearly understood. In other words, it will be possible to achieve high levels of motivation by innovating medical equipment collaborating with industry, thus providing both practical and academic results, while also providing an effective educational program to formulate a professional hybrid medical and engineering career. Furthermore, it is very important to provide an environment for such professionals in which information and innovative ideas can be actively exchanged with local communities to bridge between research and practical application. Therefore, in this program, by making effective use of advanced medical technology combined with a high level of expertise in the field of electronic engineering, where students and staff in both medical and engineering collaborate, it is expected that we will be able to cultivate professional hybrid medics. Firstly a curriculum has been formulated to reawaken this Dejima mindset, both medical and engineering students will have the opportunity to take part in clinical test practicums using advanced medical equipment as well as research seminars. Following the establishment of the Graduate School of Biomedical Science’s Hybrid Medic course, under the guidance of both university and industrial professionals with the assistance of a 3D printer the students can plan, prototype, trial and evaluate medical instruments. A short term overseas study academic - industry collaboration program is also provided.

What are the benefits of a dual Medical and Engineering Education program?

In order to be able to nurture Medical Engineering Hybrid medics, an infrastructure is required to facilitate collaboration between both medical and engineering undergraduate schools, graduate schools and the respective local communities. Innovative educational reform will be required to realize this infrastructure which must provide a seamless interface between departments and research faculties, so that a mutual understanding of each faculty’s strengths and specialization is clearly understood. In other words, it will be possible to achieve high levels of motivation by innovating medical equipment collaborating with industry, thus providing both practical and academic results, while also providing an effective educational program to formulate a professional hybrid medical and engineering career. Furthermore, it is very important to provide an environment for such professionals in which information and innovative ideas can be actively exchanged with local communities to bridge between research and practical application.
Therefore, in this program, by making effective use of advanced medical technology combined with a high level of expertise in the field of electronic engineering, where students and staff in both medical and engineering collaborate, it is expected that we will be able to cultivate professional hybrid medics.
Firstly a curriculum has been formulated to reawaken this Dejima mindset, both medical and engineering students will have the opportunity to take part in clinical test practicums using advanced medical equipment as well as research seminars. Following the establishment of the Graduate School of Biomedical Science’s Hybrid Medic course, under the guidance of both university and industrial professionals with the assistance of a 3D printer the students can plan, prototype, trial and evaluate medical instruments. A short term overseas study academic - industry collaboration program is also provided.