Engineering

Work Areas

Mayo Clinic Division of Engineering is organized into four major functional units, including:

• Electronics Development Unit
• Software Development Unit
• Project Management Unit
• Biomechanical Development Unit including our Mechanical Shop and Scientific Glassblower

The Electronics Development Unit applies skills in electrical and biomedical engineering as part of the Division of Engineering's multidisciplinary approach to developing unique devices and systems. Specific skills include:

• Physiological sensor interfaces
• Signal processing and analysis
• Simulation and modeling of systems
• Automation systems
• Engineering consultation services

The Software Development Unit designs, develops and tests software solutions for Division of Engineering projects. Specialty areas include:

• Embedded microprocessor programming
• Software-based digital signal processing
• Image analysis and image manipulation
• Database development
• User interface development

The Project Management Team, a group of full-time project managers within the Division of Engineering, is responsible for all project oversight activities. Project managers have technical backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, or software engineering. Their responsibilities include the following:

• Manage all projects within the Division of Engineering
• Plan and execute projects, using "best practice" project management methodologies
• Project management consultation to external groups
• Interaction with project managers across Mayo Clinic to share knowledge, to develop training opportunities, to improve skills and to advance the discipline of project management at Mayo
• Process improvement

The Biomechanical Development Unit applies skills in mechanical and biomedical engineering as part of the Division of Engineering's multidisciplinary approach to developing unique devices and systems. They provide:

• Conceptual and detailed mechanical design
• Development of automation systems
• Simulation and modeling of mechanical and physiological systems (finite element analysis, flow analysis, etc.)
• Solid modeling
• Engineering consultation services
• Custom fabrication

The Mechanical Shop serves as a design, machining, and fabrication resource for the entire institution. Skilled machinists and tool/die makers design and build a complex range of products. The Shop's skill set includes:

• Prototype design
• CNC and manual machining
• Engraving
• Surgical instrument repair
• Laser and water jet cutting
• Plastics fabrication
• Sandblasting
• Sheet metal forming and welding

The Scientific Glassblowing Shop designs and fabricates technical glass apparatuses for specialized needs. They also modify and restore existing glassware, to minimize replacement costs and decrease downtime.