Cardiac care innovations from Boston Scientific inspire biomedical engineering students
The University of Waterloo’s Biomedical Engineering (BME) program welcomed representatives from Boston Scientific for an immersive workshop showcasing cutting‑edge cardiac care technologies and offering students a look into the world of medical device development.
Dr. William Chan, cardiologist, electrophysiologist, and BME Clinician‑in‑Residence, opened the workshop by sharing real‑world insights from his work at the Waterloo Region Health Network Cardiac Care Centre. His overview of current clinical challenges and patient needs provided valuable context for the technologies students would encounter throughout the session.
Students then rotated through stations featuring six of Boston Scientific’s advanced cardiovascular technologies, including surgical devices, ablation systems, and next‑generation imaging tools.
Foss Jiao (MASc ’16, mechanical and mechatronics engineering), now an R&D engineer at Boston Scientific, demonstrated the pulsed field ablation system used to treat heart rhythm disorders with enhanced precision and safety.
Daniel Aranha, clinical specialist, explained how the Watchman, an atrial appendage closure device, is implanted into patients with atrial fibrillation.
Christian Balkovec (BASc ’09, PhD ’16, kinesiology), now a principal scientist at Boston Scientific, showed how ICE, an ultrasound imaging catheter, provides real-time visualization of intracardiac anatomy and devices positioned within the heart.
The presentations highlighted the engineering challenges inherent in medical device design, including device miniaturization, biocompatibility, and clinical usability. The speakers emphasized the importance of cross-team collaboration and incorporating knowledge from mechanical, electrical, biomedical, and clinical domains.
The visit underscored a shared mission: empowering the next generation of engineers to design technologies that improve patient outcomes and transform global healthcare.
