Biomedical Engineering project ideas

100 projects, from a first build to a final-year capstone. Each lists the skills it teaches and the tools it needs; times and costs are estimates.

Beginner projects

• ECG Signal Explorer — Load public ECG recordings, detect R-peaks and compute heart rate with annotated waveforms. Skills: ECG basics, peak detection, filtering. Tools: Python, PhysioNet data. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Smart Pillbox Reminder — Remind patients to take medication with timed alerts and lid-open detection. Skills: scheduling, sensing, user design. Tools: MCU, buzzer, reed switch. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Body Temperature Logger — Log skin temperature with a digital sensor and show daily trends. Skills: temperature sensing, logging, trends. Tools: digital sensor, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• BMI and Body Metrics Calculator — Calculate BMI, BMR and waist-to-height ratio with clear limitations. Skills: health metrics, formulas, limitations. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hand Grip Strength Meter — Measure grip force with a load cell and track progress over time. Skills: force measurement, calibration. Tools: load cell, HX711, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Stethoscope Sound Amplifier — Amplify heart sounds from a chest piece with a microphone and filter. Skills: acoustic sensing, amplification, filtering. Tools: electret mic, amplifier. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Reaction Time Tester — Measure visual and auditory reaction times and compare groups. Skills: human factors, timing, statistics. Tools: MCU/web app. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Blood Pressure Data Analyzer — Analyse home BP readings for averages, variability and categories. Skills: BP categories, statistics. Tools: spreadsheet/Python. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Posture Reminder Wearable — Vibrate when a wearer slouches using an accelerometer angle threshold. Skills: IMU tilt, thresholds, wearables. Tools: IMU, vibration motor. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Step Counter From Accelerometer — Count steps from accelerometer data and compare with a phone pedometer. Skills: signal processing, peak counting. Tools: IMU, MCU/phone. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Anatomical Joint Model — 3D-print a knee joint model and show its ranges of motion. Skills: anatomy, joint motion, 3D printing. Tools: 3D printer, CAD. CAD / design, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Respiration Rate Belt — Measure breathing rate with a stretch sensor belt. Skills: stretch sensing, rate calculation. Tools: stretch sensor, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Audiogram Hearing Test App — Play test tones at different frequencies and plot a simple hearing threshold chart. Skills: audiology basics, tone generation. Tools: web app, headphones. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hand Hygiene Compliance Counter — Count dispenser uses and visits to estimate hand-hygiene compliance. Skills: sensing, compliance metrics. Tools: IR sensors, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Colorimetric Glucose Test Reader — Read colour changes of test strips with a camera and estimate concentration. Skills: colorimetry, calibration curves. Tools: camera, Python. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Medical Device Classification Guide — Classify example devices by risk class with reasons. Skills: regulatory classes, risk. Tools: web app. Workflow, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Wheelchair Ramp Slope Checker — Measure ramp slopes with a phone inclinometer and check accessibility guidelines. Skills: accessibility, slope measurement. Tools: phone app. Workflow, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Pulse Rate From Fingertip Video — Estimate pulse rate from colour changes in fingertip phone video. Skills: PPG from video, signal processing. Tools: phone camera, Python. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Sleep Movement Tracker — Log bedtime movement with an accelerometer and estimate restless periods. Skills: actigraphy, data analysis. Tools: IMU logger. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Prosthetic Finger Mechanism — Build a tendon-driven finger with 3D-printed phalanges. Skills: tendon mechanisms, CAD. Tools: 3D printer, string. CAD / design, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• UV Exposure Indicator — Warn of high UV exposure with a UV sensor and index display. Skills: UV sensing, health thresholds. Tools: UV sensor, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Patient Fall Alarm Mat — Detect when a patient leaves bed using a pressure mat. Skills: pressure sensing, alarms. Tools: pressure mat, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Lung Capacity Spirometer Model — Measure exhaled volume with a simple water-displacement spirometer. Skills: lung volumes, measurement. Tools: bottle spirometer. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Muscle Activity Visualizer — Show recorded EMG signals and envelopes for different contractions. Skills: EMG basics, envelopes. Tools: Python, public data. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hospital Bed Occupancy Board — Track bed occupancy and turnaround times on a simple dashboard. Skills: healthcare operations, dashboards. Tools: web app. Dashboard, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).

Intermediate projects

• Pulse Oximeter Prototype — Estimate SpO2 from red and IR PPG ratios with calibration and motion checks. Skills: pulse oximetry, ratio-of-ratios, calibration. Tools: MAX30102, MCU. Hardware build, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• EMG-Controlled Assistive Switch — Trigger an assistive device from muscle activation with adaptive thresholds. Skills: EMG acquisition, thresholds, assistive tech. Tools: EMG sensor, MCU. Hardware build, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Fall Detection Wearable — Detect falls from acceleration and orientation patterns and send an alert. Skills: fall detection, IMU features, alerts. Tools: IMU, BLE MCU. Hardware build, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Heart-Rate Variability Dashboard — Compute time- and frequency-domain HRV metrics from RR intervals. Skills: HRV analysis, spectral methods. Tools: Python. Dashboard, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Pressure Injury Risk Monitor — Monitor seat or mattress pressure maps and alert for prolonged high pressure. Skills: pressure mapping, risk thresholds. Tools: FSR array, MCU. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Biosensor Calibration Tool — Fit calibration curves for biosensors and report limit of detection. Skills: calibration, LOD/LOQ, regression. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Respiratory Pattern Analyzer — Classify breathing patterns like apnoea from airflow signals. Skills: respiratory signals, pattern detection. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Wheelchair Navigation Aid — Warn wheelchair users of obstacles with ultrasonic sensors and haptic feedback. Skills: obstacle detection, haptics. Tools: ultrasonic sensors, vibration motors. Hardware build, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Patient Vital-Sign Trend Board — Display vital trends with early-warning scores for a ward simulation. Skills: early warning scores, dashboards. Tools: web app. Dashboard, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Sterilization Cycle Tracker — Log autoclave cycles, check parameters and track instrument sets. Skills: sterilisation records, traceability. Tools: database app. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hearing-Assist DSP Prototype — Amplify speech frequencies with compression and noise reduction in real time. Skills: audio DSP, compression, filtering. Tools: DSP board/laptop. Hardware build, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Biomechanical Joint Model — Model knee joint forces during squats with inverse dynamics. Skills: biomechanics, inverse dynamics. Tools: Python, motion data. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• EEG Alpha Wave Detector — Detect alpha rhythm changes when eyes close from EEG recordings. Skills: EEG analysis, band power. Tools: Python, public EEG. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Blood Flow Doppler Simulator — Simulate Doppler shifts from blood flow and estimate velocity. Skills: Doppler ultrasound, signal processing. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Gait Phase Detector — Detect gait phases from foot pressure sensors. Skills: gait analysis, event detection. Tools: FSRs, MCU. Hardware build, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Drug Dosage Pharmacokinetic Model — Simulate drug concentration with one- and two-compartment models. Skills: pharmacokinetics, ODEs. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Low-Cost Syringe Pump — Build a stepper-driven syringe pump and test flow accuracy. Skills: precision motion, flow calibration. Tools: stepper, lead screw. Hardware build, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• X-Ray Image Enhancement Tool — Improve contrast of radiographs with histogram equalisation and filtering. Skills: image processing, contrast enhancement. Tools: Python, OpenCV. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Thermal Imaging Fever Screening Study — Assess accuracy limits of thermal screening with experiments. Skills: thermography, measurement error. Tools: thermal camera. Data lab, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Bio-Signal Acquisition Board — Design an analog front end for ECG with right-leg drive and filtering. Skills: biopotential amplifiers, CMRR. Tools: ADS1292/op-amps. Hardware build, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Rehabilitation Exercise Game — Turn arm exercises into a game using IMU tracking and scoring. Skills: gamification, motion tracking. Tools: IMU, game engine. Simulator, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Contact Lens Fit Simulator — Visualise lens sag versus corneal shape for fitting. Skills: optics geometry, fitting. Tools: web app. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hospital Inventory Tracker — Track consumables with barcodes and reorder points. Skills: inventory management, barcodes. Tools: database app. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Wound Area Measurement App — Measure wound area from photos with a reference marker. Skills: image segmentation, measurement. Tools: Python/phone. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Medical Alarm Fatigue Study — Analyse alarm logs for non-actionable alarms and propose changes. Skills: alarm management, analysis. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).

Advanced projects

• Prosthetic Hand Control Demo — Control a 3D-printed hand with EMG pattern recognition for several grips. Skills: pattern recognition, EMG, prosthetics. Tools: EMG sensors, servos. Hardware build, 45–100 h, $150+.
• Medical Image Segmentation Workbench — Segment organs in CT/MRI images with U-Net and evaluate with Dice scores. Skills: deep learning, segmentation, evaluation. Tools: Python, PyTorch. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Rehabilitation Gait Analyzer — Compute gait parameters from video pose estimation and compare with norms. Skills: pose estimation, gait metrics. Tools: Python, MediaPipe. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Infusion Pump Safety Simulator — Simulate dose-error checks, occlusion alarms and drug libraries in an infusion pump. Skills: safety logic, alarms, use errors. Tools: web app/simulation. Simulator, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Ultrasound Beamforming Sandbox — Form ultrasound images from raw channel data with delay-and-sum beamforming. Skills: beamforming, ultrasound imaging. Tools: Python, public data. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• EEG Artifact Filter — Remove eye-blink and muscle artifacts from EEG with ICA. Skills: ICA, artifact removal, EEG. Tools: Python, MNE. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Remote Patient Monitoring Gateway — Collect vitals from home devices and forward them securely with alerts. Skills: IoT, security, data pipelines. Tools: gateway, MQTT. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Medical Device Risk File Generator — Build an ISO 14971-style risk file with hazards, controls and traceability. Skills: risk management, traceability. Tools: database/web app. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Lab-on-Chip Flow Simulator — Simulate microchannel mixing and particle transport in a lab-on-chip. Skills: microfluidics, CFD. Tools: COMSOL/Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Exoskeleton Joint Torque Assist — Design an assistive elbow exoskeleton with torque control. Skills: assistive robotics, torque control. Tools: actuator, sensors. Hardware build, 45–100 h, $150+.
• Cardiac Arrhythmia Classifier — Classify arrhythmias from ECG beats with a CNN. Skills: deep learning, ECG classification. Tools: Python, MIT-BIH. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Bone Implant Stress Analysis — Analyse stress shielding of a hip implant with FEA. Skills: biomechanics FEA, implants. Tools: FEA tool. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Blood Glucose Prediction Model — Predict glucose trends from CGM data for early hypoglycaemia warnings. Skills: time-series forecasting, CGM. Tools: Python, public data. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Brain-Computer Interface Speller — Build an SSVEP speller and measure accuracy and bit rate. Skills: BCI, SSVEP, classification. Tools: EEG headset, Python. Hardware build, 45–100 h, $150+.
• Tissue Engineering Scaffold Design — Design porous scaffolds and compute porosity and stiffness. Skills: scaffold design, porosity, FEA. Tools: CAD, FEA. CAD / design, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hospital Patient Flow Simulation — Simulate emergency department flow and test staffing scenarios. Skills: discrete-event simulation, healthcare ops. Tools: SimPy. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Sweat Biomarker Wearable Concept — Prototype a sweat sensor patch and model analyte readings. Skills: wearable sensors, electrochemistry. Tools: sensor patch, potentiostat. Hardware build, 45–100 h, $150+.
• Optical Coherence Tomography Simulator — Simulate OCT A-scans and B-scans from layered tissue models. Skills: interferometry, imaging. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Surgical Instrument Tracking With Vision — Track instruments in a training box with markers and cameras. Skills: computer vision, tracking. Tools: camera, OpenCV. Data lab, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Telemedicine Video Quality Study — Measure how bandwidth affects diagnostic video quality. Skills: QoE, video compression. Tools: ffmpeg, network emulation. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Cardiovascular Lumped Model — Simulate blood pressure and flow with a Windkessel model. Skills: cardiovascular modelling, ODEs. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Medical Device Usability Test Plan — Plan and run a formative usability test for a home device. Skills: usability engineering, test design. Tools: test protocol. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Dental Implant Planning Tool — Plan implant positions on CBCT slices with safety margins. Skills: image-guided planning, anatomical safety margins. Tools: Python. CAD / design, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Nerve Stimulation Waveform Generator — Generate safe biphasic stimulation waveforms and verify charge balance. Skills: neurostimulation, safety, waveforms. Tools: MCU, scope (no human use). Hardware build, 45–100 h, $150+.
• Clinical Decision Support Prototype — Suggest guideline-based reminders and log clinician responses. Skills: CDS, rules, evaluation. Tools: web app. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).

Expert projects

• Digital Twin of a Prosthetic Limb — Model a prosthetic limb's mechanics and control to predict wear and fit issues. Skills: digital twins, biomechanics. Tools: simulation, sensor data. Digital twin, 100 h+, $150+.
• Clinical Dataset De-Identification Tool — Remove identifiers from clinical records and measure re-identification risk. Skills: de-identification, privacy, NLP. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery Simulator — Simulate an artificial pancreas controller on a virtual patient cohort. Skills: closed-loop control, physiology models. Tools: Python, simulators. Simulator, 100 h+, $150+.
• Federated Learning for Medical Images — Train a classifier across hospitals without sharing images. Skills: federated learning, privacy, imaging. Tools: Python, Flower. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• 3D Bioprinting Process Planner — Plan bioprinting parameters for cell viability and shape fidelity. Skills: bioprinting, process windows. Tools: literature data, Python. Workflow, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Explainable AI for Radiology — Explain model decisions on chest X-rays with saliency and audit failure cases. Skills: XAI, radiology AI, auditing. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Wearable Cuffless Blood Pressure Study — Estimate BP from pulse transit time and evaluate against cuff readings. Skills: PTT, regression, validation. Tools: ECG+PPG sensors. Data lab, 100 h+, $150+.
• Organ-on-Chip Oxygen Model — Model oxygen gradients in an organ-on-chip and design channel geometry. Skills: transport modelling, microfluidics. Tools: COMSOL/Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Neural Signal Spike Sorting — Sort neural spikes from multi-electrode recordings. Skills: spike sorting, clustering. Tools: Python, public data. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• MRI Reconstruction With Compressed Sensing — Reconstruct undersampled MRI faster with compressed sensing. Skills: MRI physics, compressed sensing. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Smart Rehabilitation Robot — Adapt robot assistance to patient effort in real time. Skills: rehab robotics, adaptive control. Tools: robot arm/sim. Simulator, 100 h+, $150+.
• Cancer Radiotherapy Dose Planner — Optimise beam weights for a simple radiotherapy plan. Skills: dose optimisation, radiotherapy. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Personalised Drug Dosing With Bayesian Methods — Individualise dosing from sparse drug levels with Bayesian updating. Skills: Bayesian pharmacometrics, dose individualisation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Implantable Device Power Telemetry — Design wireless power and data links for an implant within safety limits. Skills: inductive links, SAR limits. Tools: simulation, prototype. Simulator, 100 h+, $150+.
• Hospital Digital Twin for Capacity — Combine admissions, staffing and beds to predict capacity crises. Skills: digital twins, forecasting, simulation. Tools: Python. Digital twin, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Haptic Surgical Training Simulator — Provide force feedback in a virtual suturing task. Skills: haptics, simulation, training. Tools: haptic device, game engine. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Genomic Variant Analysis Pipeline — Process sequencing data to call and annotate variants reproducibly. Skills: bioinformatics, pipelines. Tools: Python, workflow tools. Workflow, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Smart Contact Lens Concept Study — Model a glucose-sensing lens's power and signal constraints. Skills: biosensors, wireless, modelling. Tools: literature, Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Regulatory Submission Evidence Builder — Assemble verification and validation evidence into a structured submission. Skills: regulatory science, V&V. Tools: database app. Workflow, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Biomechanics of Running Shoes — Measure ground reaction forces and model shoe cushioning effects. Skills: GRF analysis, material models. Tools: force plate data, Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• AI Sepsis Early Warning Model — Predict sepsis risk from EHR time series and evaluate calibration. Skills: clinical ML, calibration, evaluation. Tools: Python, MIMIC-style data. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Neuroprosthetic Decoder — Decode movement intent from neural signals for a cursor. Skills: neural decoding, Kalman filters. Tools: Python, datasets. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Ventilator Control Simulator — Simulate pressure-controlled ventilation on lung models with alarms. Skills: ventilation modes, lung mechanics. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Point-of-Care Diagnostic Reader — Read lateral-flow tests with a phone and quantify results. Skills: image analysis, calibration. Tools: phone camera, Python. Data lab, 100 h+, $150+.
• Privacy-Preserving Health Data Sharing — Share aggregate health statistics with differential privacy. Skills: differential privacy, health data. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).

Project ideas for every branch · Biomedical Engineering roadmap