Queen's Biomedical Innovation Team (QBiT) - General Members

⚕️ About the Team 

The Queen’s Biomedical Innovation Team (QBiT) introduces undergraduate students to biomedical engineering, provides opportunities to explore practical applications of the engineering curriculum, and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration to address challenges in healthcare. 

QBiT develops projects spanning multiple areas of biomedical technology. Our members apply mechanical, electrical, software, biochemical, and research skills to design, prototype, and test practical healthcare solutions. 

The team comprises more than 100 undergraduate students across multiple years and faculties at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. QBiT is also supported by professors, graduate student advisors, clinical collaborators, and partner organizations. 

During the 2026–2027 academic year, QBiT is advancing three projects:IoDetect, PulsePoint, and QCARE. 

🧪 IoDetect: Low-Cost Microfluifdic Urinary Iodine Diagnostic 

IoDetect is a portable, low-cost diagnostic system designed to assess urinary iodine levels using a microfluidic chemical reaction and handheld optical sensor. The project aims to support iodine monitoring in communities with limited access to laboratory testing and healthcare infrastructure. 

🧫 Subteam 1: Biochemical 

• Develop and optimize the iodine-detection reaction and sample-processing procedure, improving on existing reactions explored by the biochemical team in the previous year 

• Conduct wet-lab testing using reagents and microfluidic chip prototypes 

• Investigate measurement calibration, sensitivity, and repeatability, and identify potential sources of interference or error 

• Collaborate with the Physical and Software/Electrical subteams to integrate the biochemical reaction with the complete diagnostic system 

🔨 Subteam 2: Physical 

• Design, manufacture, and test microfluidic chip prototypes,  using software such as COMSOL Multiphysics to model system dynamics 

• Use CAD software to design the handheld sensor casing and 3D print the physical prototype 

• Improve the manufacturability, usability, and durability of the existing design so it may sustain testing in representative environments, such as outdoor areas or rural hospitals 

• Integrate the Biochemical and Software/Electrical components to produce a functional prototype 

🔌🖥️ Subteam 3: Software/Electrical 

• Develop and test the handheld optical-sensing circuitry using photodiodes alongside the Beer-Lambert relationship to characterize colorimetric reactions 

• Design and integrate the device’s power supply and supporting management system, prioritizing safety, space efficiency and cost minimization 

• Process photodiode signal data to acquire discretized sensor readings 

• Develop and evaluate methods for interpreting iodine measurements from sensor readings, using industry standards 

• Design and test a user interface to include an LED display  and app for further analysis or storage of results 

• Coordinate with the Physical team to ensure placement of electrical components satisfies technical requirements, and work with the Biochemical team to develop an effective testing plan based on the selected colorimetric chemical reaction 

💓 PulsePoint: Fetal Heart-Rate Monitoring System 

Developed in collaboration with Ghana Medical Help, PulsePoint is a low-cost, reusable fetal heart-rate monitoring system intended to support intermittent fetal heart-rate assessment in Northern Ghana. 

The project will focus on creating a rugged, rechargeable, and easy-to-use fetal Doppler that can provide clear and reliable heartbeat readings to medical professionals. It must be appropriate for maternity-care environments with limited access to reliable power, replacement parts, and specialized maintenance. Potential features include solar charging, a clear visual display, abnormal fetal heart-rate alerts, and local data storage. 

🔨 Subteam 1: Physical 

• Design and prototype a rugged, long-lasting, and portable device housing 

• Develop accessible repair and maintenance approaches that allow for straightforward training of non-experts 

• Perform system-wide integration of the Doppler probe, user display, controls, battery, and other components to produce a functional prototype 

• Evaluate the device’s durability, usability, and suitability for its intended environment, which will be in rural hospitals in Ghana where dust and power discrepancies are often issues 

• Manufacture, assemble, and test physical prototypes to align with Ghana healthcare systems 

🔌 Subteam 2: Electrical 

• Develop and integrate the fetal Doppler hardware that will be used to detect fetal heartrates, and a potential auditory/visual alert system for abnormal heartrate 

• Design and perform tests to validate the accuracy and reliability of the Doppler probe readings 

• Design and test the device’s power management and rechargeable  battery systems, specifically for longevity and efficiency of power supply 

• Investigate solar charging and power-management capabilities as alternatives to the current plug-in power method of fetal Dopplers 

Design electrical circuitry to integrate necessary sensors, controls, displays, and supporting hardware🖥️ Subteam 3: Software 

• Develop methods for processing fetal heart-rate signals and producing interpretations from electrical readings 

• Design the user display and device controls to allow ease-of-use with minimal training 

• Develop clear bradycardia and tachycardia alerts for user interpretation, taking into consideration language barriers 

• Investigate local data-storage capabilities for short-term heartrate trend tracking 

• Test the accuracy, reliability, and usability of the software system, prioritizing patient confidentiality 

• Integrate the software system with the device’s electrical and physical components 

📝 Subteam 4: Research 

• Investigate clinical requirements and current approaches to intermittent fetal heart-rate monitoring, both in Ghana and promising global healthcare systems 

• Translate Ghana Medical Help asks, patient needs and maternity-care workflows into design requirements 

• Evaluate usability, implementation, maintenance, and training considerations for the fetal Doppler via calls with the stakeholders (Ghana Medical Help and partner engineers) and industry research 

• Support the development of testing and validation methods, specifically with a lens focused on patient needs 

• Design effective feedback loops between QBiT, Ghana Medical Help, and other relevant stakeholders 

• Work alongside the technical subteams to ensure the device remains appropriate for its intended context 

🦾 QCARE: Body-Powered Above-Elbow Prosthesis 

QCARE, formerly known as the A.R.M. Project, is continuing the development of a low-cost, body-powered above-elbow prosthetic arm that can be manufactured primarily using accessible 3D-printing methods. 

The project is being developed in collaboration with the Perk Lab and Med-i Lab at Queen’s University and the Burma Children Medical Fund in Mae Sot, Thailand. The primary goal for 2026–2027 is to achieve reliable hand and elbow functionality through a body-powered hand-opening mechanism, smooth elbow movement, and an effective elbow-locking mechanism. 

🔨 Subteam 1: Physical 

• Develop and iterate CAD models for the prosthesis and its individual components 

• Design a body-powered mechanism for reliably opening and closing the prosthetic hand 

• Improve the elbow-actuation system to achieve consistent movement while requiring minimal effort from the user 

• Develop an elbow-locking mechanism capable of securely maintaining a selected position 

• Improve the strap and harness system 

• 3D print, assemble, and test physical prototypes 

• Integrate the hand, elbow, locking, and harness systems into a functional prosthetic prototype 

• Document manufacturing, assembly, and major design iterations 

📝 Subteam 2: Research 

• Investigate existing approaches to prosthetic hand actuation, elbow movement, and elbow locking 

• Explore upper-limb biomechanics relevant to body-powered above-elbow prostheses 

• Identify user needs and common challenges associated with transhumeral prosthetic use 

• Translate research findings and stakeholder feedback into actionable design requirements 

• Develop appropriate mechanical, functional, and usability testing methods 

• Investigate manufacturing, maintenance, and repair procedures appropriate for the BCMF context 

• Explore approaches to long-term patient follow-up and assessment 

• Work alongside the Physical subteam during prototype development and testing 

• Support smaller prosthetic or assistive-technology projects identified by BCMF where team capacity permits 

General Member Information 

Role Overview 

General members are the backbone of the Queen’s Biomedical Innovation Team and play an essential role in the successful development of our projects. 

As a general member, you will contribute directly to the technical, research, or experimental responsibilities of your assigned project and subteam. Members gain hands-on experience in areas such as design, prototyping, manufacturing, programming, electronics, biochemical testing, technical research, and system integration. 

QBiT also provides workshops and learning opportunities to help members develop relevant technical skills, regardless of their previous experience or selected subteam. This is an environment to learn! 

Responsibilities 

• Attend weekly meetings with your project manager 

• Actively contribute to discussions, brainstorming sessions, research, testing, and prototyping 

• Complete assigned project work both during and outside scheduled meetings 

• Collaborate effectively with members of your own subteam and other technical disciplines 

• Document your work and communicate progress, challenges, and results 

• Take initiative and contribute consistently throughout the academic year 

Requirements 

• Interest in biomedical engineering, healthcare technology, or interdisciplinary design 

• Effective communication and teamwork skills 

• Strong time-management and organizational skills 

• Willingness to learn new technical skills 

• Demonstrated commitment to the team 

• No previous technical experience is required unless otherwise stated 

Applications are due September 19th at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Interviews will be conducted in the form of video submission. Additional instructions will be shared with applicants after written applications close. 

If you have questions about the position or application process, please contact QBiT Co-Captains Sabrina Packer and Ruby Sinclair at qbit @engsoc.queensu.ca.