Mechanical Design Systems ME 415 is a senior design course for mechanical engineering majors that give students a first-hand look at what their future worlds may have in store for them. Frecker teaches a ''special-emphasis'' section of ME 415 focused on medical device design, where the project sponsors include physicians from Hershey Medical Center and other area hospitals.

Frecker, associate professor of mechanical engineering, explains that students who sign up for her section ''do so because of their interest in engineering applications in the medical profession.'' Tamara Cohen (ME '06) said she was ''excited this section was offered, because this is exactly what I want to do.'' Frecker's students worked on everything from the creation of a new concept for vasectomy procedures as well as improving the equipment used in endoscopic surgery and creating a more economical solution to producing wheelchair lifts.

Each group of students teams up with a medical professional through the Learning Factory. The Learning Factory works to bring industry sponsors and the College together, giving students the opportunity to work with real-world challenges. What sets Frecker's students apart from the rest is their passion for the medical profession.

Armand Daigle, a senior mechanical engineer major, Danielle Bishop (ME '06), Jennifer Donatelli (ME '06) and Dan Toth (ME '06) worked closely with anesthesiologist Dr. Morteza Gharib of Altoona in the design of a new mechanical device used to hold a regional anesthesia needle. Gharib, had a very specific plan in mind, he wanted the anesthesia needle to remain steadily in place, while allowing for adjustments as needed. Not only did Gharib want to free his hand of holding the needle, he also wanted to eliminate the need of a second person to hold the needle.

Toth, who was responsible for creating CAD drawings, machining and fabrication, said the success of the senior design experience really depends on how responsive the sponsor is, ''We had an exceptional sponsor that interacted well with our team and provided a lot of great feedback.''

Detail is of the utmost importance for students while working on their projects. As students began calculations for designing and building their prototype, they've learned that even the smallest of variation could greatly upset their final outcomes. The team of Ben Frasch, senior mechanical engineering, Timothy Crede, senior mechanical engineering, John Brossman (ME '06), and Tamara Cohen worked to create a new mechanism to help lessen the surgical time for a vasectomy reversal. The group learned quickly that even the tiniest error in rounding could cause the mechanism to malfunction.

Each team of students must analyze all aspects of their project and experiment with a variety of possible solutions. Frasch, Crede, Brossman and Cohen’s team website explains how ''a design matrix was used to choose a sealant ring design for the device from among four different variations.'' By performing a variety of tests, the team ascertained that a sealant ring design was the best fit for project.

Similarly, the team of Doug Harsch, a senior mechanical engineer, and 2006 mechanical engineering graduates Adam Scherba, Matt Smith and Steve Mergler used a design matrix when working to create a new device used to control and endoscope. The 'BioLions' reviewed the results of their design matrix with sponsor Dr. Abraham Mathew of the Hershey Medical Center, and chose to use ''a 'Finger Loop' design where the sheath movement is controlled with the index finger,'' as explained by their website.

While many teams worked to create or modify products used during medical procedures, some teams worked to better inventions that help disabled individuals go about everyday activities. 2006 mechanical engineering graduates Eric Scherzberg, Richard Scherzberg, Frederick Schneider and Jeffery Yatsko worked with Kurt Weber of the Flinchbaugh Company, Inc., of York, Pa., to improve the platform assembly of a wheelchair lift.

Flinchbaugh was looking to not only improve the assembly of the lift, but to also decrease costs in the process. This team of students was able to help do just that. By studying the capability of less expensive materials in a modified design, the group worked to meet the needs of Flinchbaugh.

Yatsko explains that ''designing a new safety apron is just one of the ways we worked to cut down on the overall cost of production.'' Flinchbaugh has already incorporated the students' design into their commercial wheelchair lift.

Every year students walk away confident that they’ve worked to make a difference. ''All in all, I think this class is a solid foundation for getting out in the real world,'' says Daigle.

Frecker is proud of her class for coming together within their teams and creating viable solutions for the medical industry. ''It's a great experience for the students,'' she says. ''By having the opportunity to work with individuals within the industry, students are much more equipped for their post-graduate plans.''