Person-centered prostheses and implants

Course Type:

• Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)

 

Duration and Learning Format

• Total workload (in hours), broken down into:
  • Synchronous online activities – 5h
  • On-site (physical mobility) activities -25h
  • Independent and group work – 45h
• Dates of:
  • Online component: October 2026
  • On-site component: 19–23 October 2026

 

Credits and Certification

In order to obtain the 3 ECTS credits, participants are required to attend at least 80% of the course activities and demonstrate active participation and satisfactory achievement of the learning objectives.

Organising Institutions and Teaching Staff:

Lead and Host Institution

• UFV (Madrid

 

Partner Institutions

• UGD (North Macedonia)
• MUG (Poland)

External stakeholders

• Hospital Los Madroños / Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos de España.

 

Course Overview

This fully applied international course addresses the design, fabrication and validation of prostheses and implantsthrough a person-centred approach that considers biomechanical, therapeutic, emotional and quality-of-life dimensions of the patient. Drawing on biomedical engineering, mechanical and industrial engineering, materials science, physiotherapy, dentistry and psychology, students engage with clinicians, patients and industry-grade additive manufacturing technologies — 3D scanning, CAD modelling in Fusion 360, 3D printing, materials selection and mechanical testing — to design and produce customised prosthetic prototypes that respond to real clinical needs. The programme combines online preparation, an intensive on-site practical week and an online closing phase.

 

Learning Journey
🖥️ Online preparation

Objective: Introduce participants, provide course context, level foundational knowledge and motivate active participation.

• Welcome video and course introduction — overview of the alliance, partner universities, group and course organisation. Activity: watch the video and participate in a brief online forum to introduce yourselves and share expectations.
• Introductory videos for each in-person module — four short videos, each presented by the module instructor, explaining objectives, content and disciplinary relevance. Activity: watch the videos and participate in a Q&A forum.
• Video introducing the hospital visit — what will be seen during the visit, its importance, and testimonials from professionals or patients. Activity: short written reflection on expectations for the visit.
• Optional theory videos (Fusion 360, 3D printing basics, CAD principles) — basic introduction to Fusion 360, CAD principles and additive manufacturing fundamentals. Activity: optional practical exercise (e.g. a simple sketch in Fusion 360) or a self-assessment quiz.

On-site week — 19–23 October 2026 · UFV Pozuelo de Alarcón · 5 days · 25 h

 

Objective: Hands-on learning, interdisciplinary teamwork and direct contact with clinical and technological realities.

• Day 1 · 19 Oct — Hospital Visit (Hospital Los Madroños). Guided tour, observation of rehabilitation and prosthesis adaptation processes, talks with professionals from various fields and group reflection.
• Day 2 · 20 Oct — Module 1: Applications and Project Design. Why 3D printing: clinical and non-clinical applications of 3D printing, comparison with traditional manufacturing, project design in interdisciplinary teams, initial project presentations and validation of proposals by the instructors.
• Day 3 · 21 Oct — Module 2: 3D Scanning, Design and Materials. Practice with 3D scanning, introduction to Fusion 360, overview of 3D printers and materials, and discussion on material selection based on clinical cases.
• Day 4 · 22 Oct — Module 3: Printing and Redesign. 3D printing of prototypes, identification and correction of errors, iterative redesign based on feedback and group discussion.
• Day 5 · 23 Oct — Module 4: Mechanical Testing, Simulation and Redesign. Basic mechanical testing, digital simulation of prototypes, final redesign and presentation of results.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles of person-centred prosthesis and orthosis design.
• Identify clinical, biomechanical, therapeutic and emotional patient needs.
• Apply CAD tools and 3D scanning technologies in healthcare applications.
• Select appropriate biomaterials for prosthetic fabrication.
• Design and manufacture customised prosthetic prototypes using additive manufacturing technologies.
• Perform basic mechanical testing and validation procedures.
• Work effectively in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Develop innovative solutions focused on improving patient quality of life.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand and identify patient needs from the perspective of biometric parameters, therapeutic and emotional dimensions.
• Apply person-centred design methods to a real clinical prosthetics challenge.
• Co-create a functional prototype using 3D scanning, CAD (Fusion 360) and additive manufacturing.
• Carry out basic mechanical testing and digital simulation of prototypes.
• Engage critically and ethically with users, clinicians and industry partners.
• Articulate the humanistic dimension of biomedical engineering in their professional practice.
• Work effectively in international, interdisciplinary teams.

👥 Who Should Apply?

🎓 Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate students from any ACE²-EU partner university.

🔧 Fields: Biomedical Engineering · Mechanical Engineering · Industrial Engineering · Materials Engineering · Physiotherapy · Health Sciences · Biomechanics · Physics · Dentistry · Occupational Therapy.

🤝 Suitable for those interested in: 3D printing and additive manufacturing · Digital healthcare technologies · Prosthetics and orthotics · CAD and 3D design · Biomechanics and rehabilitation · Human-centred healthcare innovation · Multidisciplinary teamwork and innovation.

🌐 Universities: Open to students from any ACE²-EU partner university.

🗣️ Language: English B1–B2.

Application Process:

Interested applicants should apply here: https://forms.gle/7Uo1rgwCYmLEz2Sd7

 

Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee a place on the programme. Participating institutions apply their own internal selection procedures.

Prior to the start of the course, selected participants will receive a welcome email from the ACE²-EU Alliance containing detailed information and instructions specific to the programme.

 

Further Information

For any questions related to the course, please contact:

arturo.vera@ufv.es rafael.ruiz@ufv.es