JUN – AUG 2024

Medtronic I

This experience served as an opportunity for me to gain skills and knowledge in lab testing, engineering documentation, and communication between cross-functional groups in addition to teaching me more about engineering roles and responsibilities in MedTech. I worked in person at the Medtronic site in Gunbarrel, Boulder, in the Acute Care & Monitoring unit. More specifically, I was on the Oximetry & Wearables team and completed 2 major summer projects, one rooted in soft-skill engineering (INVOS Analytics Tool) and one based on technical engineering (New Sensor Testing).

Time at Medtronic was also full of many side projects and learning experiences! I participated in numerous corporate tours, interdisciplinary meetings, informational interviews, shadow days, volunteering events, and overall immersion in the program. From this summer, I have broadened my future possibilities to include a career in the medical device industry. I have developed and practiced skills like design, test creation and execution, communication in a technical setting, CNC machining, multi-team collaboration, adaptability, and as always, asking questions.

Product Requirements Documentation, Justification, and Multidisciplinary Communication.

INVOS Analytics Tool

The 1st project I was assigned was to create a new official Requirements Document for an outdated program called the INVOS Analytics Tool. This program is a post-case, data analysis resource for clinicians and researchers using the Medtronic INVOS monitor (monitor of regional oxygen saturation, rSO2). The goal of this project was to compile all possible improvements for the software so that it becomes the best possible version when soon remade by a contractor. Though a simple-sounding task, this project quickly became much more about justification and evaluation of requirements. After forming my own observations about the tool, I had developed numerous questions that could only be answered by meeting with groups across company divisions. By "collecting voices" and following Systems Engineering practices, I was able to prioritize requirements and create an updated document. Through my diligence, I strived to make the next generation of the Analytics Tool simpler, more user accessible, and more efficient.

Image of previous version of INVOS Analytics Tool.

Examples of program visual designs I created and included in the new requirements doc for a contractor's use.

Laboratory Test Design, Execution, and Documentation.

New Sensor Testing

My 2nd summer project was to create a test procedure and protocol to perform ambient light testing for a new Nellcor pulse oximetry sensor. This process involved creating a general ambient light testing procedure that could be used for all Oximetry & Wearables sensors and then a specific procedure for just the new pulse oximetry sensor. I created instructions on how to make cable adaptors needed for the testing (3 different ones, depended on the type of sensor being used) and I dry-ran the test multiple times in an effort to perfect the documents. Afterwards, I performed ambient light testing on delaminated sensors which led to updating a product specification based on the predicate sensor. I developed a test method after trial and error and through statistical analysis developed new specification criteria based on the new sensor's design differences and use conditions. These changes were documented in an extensive memo and all 3 documents (procedure, protocol, & memo) have been released in the system to be used in future Medtronic ambient light testing.

A Look into my Additional Experiences!

Touring the Medtronic Laboratory in Lafayette, CO with my fellow interns and manager Tori Neumann (right).

Trying out the surgical controls on the Medtronic Hugo.