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Dr Debbie Munro

Contact

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Email: debbie.munro@canterbury.ac.nz

Direct Dial: +64 3 3690446

Office: Civil Mechanical Rm E547A

Languages: English, Japanese

Developing medical devices, diagnostic sensors, sports equipment, and new biomaterials with the aim of improving people's lives
About
Research / Creative works
Networks
Projects
Methods & Equipment

Fields of Research

  • Implantable, wireless MEMS sensor design and fabrication
  • Sport, rehabilitative, and occupational biomechanics
  • Medical device design
  • Global healthcare outreach
  • Orthopaedic implant and instrument design
  • CAD, CAM, and FEA
  • Medical regulatory compliance and risk assessment
  • Spinal cord injury repair

Researcher Summary

My research revolves around medical devices, biomechanics, and diagnostic sensors for improving people's lives. For much of my career, I worked in the orthopaedic implant industry, designing implants and instruments for hip and knee replacement surgeries. Returning to university later in life to obtain my doctorate, I studied Biological Systems Engineering and designed and patented a wireless, implantable sensor system to measure the progress of spinal fusion. The system is battery-free, so all power and communication is supplied via an external reader. My areas of current research on this are developing a new MEMS fabrication method for the sensor and a new encapsulation material that will be both waterproof and transparent to electromagnetic waves.

Collaborating with the Auckland Bioengineering Institute's As/Prof David Budgett, I am currently working to commercialise this research. We have seed funding through the MedTech CoRE and KiwiNet for this work.

My other research interests include smart climbing holds for improving athlete performance in sport climbing, optimizing the materials and geometry for spinal cord injury repair scaffolds, investigating gait biomechanics for stroke patients using a force-plate instrumented treadmill, prosthetics and their cognitive load on the wearer, neck braces for MND patients, and means of improving the system for design, donation, repair, and disposal of medical devices in developing countries.

I am the Lead for the Minor in Biomedical Engineering, serve as faculty advisor for the bioengineering club, and also run a ten-week work experience for bioengineering students in the Pacific Islands, where we assist the Ministries of Health improve the quality of healthcare in their countries.

Subject Area: Disciplines

  • Engineering and Technology: Bioengineering; Design; Manufacturing; Materials; Mechanical; Nanotechnology & Solid State Devices

Resources

  • LinkedIn
  • Author Website

Research/Scholarly/Creative Works

  • Ellis K., Munro D. and Clarke J. (2022) Endometriosis Is Undervalued: A Call to Action.. Front Glob Womens Health 3: 902371. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2022.902371. (Journal Articles)
  • Ellis K., Wood R. and Munro D. (2022) The Experiences of Endometriosis Patients with Diagnosis and Treatment in New Zealand. Frontiers in Global Women's Health. (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. (2022) A Minor in Biomedical Engineering to Improve Diversity in a Mechanical Engineering Program. Tampa, FL: Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting (ORS2022), 3-6 Feb 2022. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Munro D. (2022) Ten-week work experience in Tonga to teach biomedical engineering students the principles of equity and universal design. BMES Biomedical Engineering Education (Experiential Learning Special Edition). (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. and Davies TC. (2022) Understanding the Development of Design Thinking in a Biomedical Engineering Third-Year Course. BMES Journal of Biomedical Engineering Education (Experiential Learning Special Edition). (Journal Articles)
  • Rackerby R., Lukosch S. and Munro D. (2022) On Understanding and Measuring the Cognitive Load of Amputees for Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Development. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation. (Journal Articles)
  • Clarke J. and Munro D. (2021) Student experiences of online learning due to Covid-19: The social and educational role of the on-campus learning experience. New Zealand Annual Review of Education 26: 104-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.26686/nzaroe.v26.6928. (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. and Clarke J. (2021) Best practices for supporting student experiential learning in an online environment during emergency situations. The New Zealand Annual Review of Education 26: 141-152. http://dx.doi.org/10.26686/nzaroe.v26.6929. (Journal Articles)
  • Pernus N. and Munro D. (2021) PRELIMINARY STUDY: DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT CLIMBING HOLD MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS. In ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE) 5 http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2021-67624. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Clarke J., Brown C. and Munro D. (2020) Engineering students’ experiences of learning in a New Zealand university in the fast transition to online learning due to COVID-19. . (Oral Presentations)
  • Munro D. (2019) DIY MEMS Fabricating Microelectromechanical Systems in Open Use Labs. Springer International Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33073-6. (Authored Books)
  • Munro D. (2019) Learn to Incorporate Sensors Into Your Next Design Idea. BONEZONE (Editor's Choice Award). (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. (2019) Systems and methods for monitoring bone fusion.Patent No. Application 20190082960, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • Munro D. (2019) The Mill: What Design Engineers Need to Know about This Important Orthopedic Tool. BONEZONE (06 May 2019). (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. (2018) DIY Mems Fabricating Micro Electro Mechanical Systems in Open Use Labs. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. 288. (Authored Books)
  • Munro D. (2018) Sensors: Conducting MEMS Research and Fabrication in Open-Use Facilities. BONEZONE (Editor's Choice Award). (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. (2017) Entrepreneurial Engineering: Start with the Problem. BONEZONE. (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. (2017) Examining Methods to Determine Sample Sizes. BONEZONE (Editor's Choice Award). (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. (2017) Your EU Medical Device Regulation Guide. BONEZONE. (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. (2016) Strain Monitoring System and Apparatus.Patent No. 9510785, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • Munro D. and Gupta M. (2016) Correlation of Strain on Instrumentation to Simulated Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion in a Sheep Model. In 3(Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering): 5. ASME Digital Collections. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2016-65696. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Munro DS., Tsai EC., Lingley AR. and Khbeis MT. (2016) Development of a Microfabricated Sensor System to Measure Lumbar Spinal Fusion. In 3(Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering): 7. ASME Digital Collections. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2016-65703. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Lulay K., Dillon H., Doughty TA., Munro DS. and Vijlee SZ. (2015) Implementation of a design spine for a mechanical engineering curriculum. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings 122nd ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition: Makin(122nd ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition: Makin). (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Munro D. (2015) Strain Monitoring System and Apparatus.Patent No. 9060743, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • Munro D., Tsai E., Khbeis M. and Lingley A. (2015) Design of Sensor System to Measure Lumbar Spinal Fusion. In. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Munro D., Tsai E., Khbeis M. and Lingley A. (2015) Development of Sensor System to Measure Lumbar Spinal Fusion. In. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Munro D. (2014) Correlation Between Induced Posterolateral Fusion and Strain in Spinal Instrumentation--Development of a Microfabricated Sensor System. Boston, MA: World Congress for Biomechanics, 6-11 Jul 2014. (Conference Contributions - Other)
  • Munro D. (2014) Strain Monitoring System and Apparatus.Patent No. 8622936, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • Munro D. and Gupta M. (2014) Strain Monitoring System and Apparatus.Patent No. 8721570, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • Munro D. (2013) Development of an automated manufacturing course with lab for undergraduates. In Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE: 496-501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2013.6684873. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Munro D. and Gupta M. (2013) Strain Monitoring System and Apparatus.Patent No. 8529474, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • Munro DS. (2012) Work in progress: Hands-on biomechanics lab for undergraduate universities. In Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2012.6462235. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Munro D. (2011) Strain Monitoring System and Apparatus.Patent No. 8066650, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • Munro D. (2011) Strain Monitoring System and Apparatus.Patent No. 8070695, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • Munro D. (2009) Patents in fiber-optic sensing. SPIE j. (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. (2008) Patents: Movies Raise the Curtain on Digital Cinema Projectors. SPIE j. (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. and Bafan M. (2008) Bioceramics: The Future of Joint Healing. MedTech Precision. (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D., Bafan M. and Prsha J. (2008) Convergence, Collaboration, Commercialization: Tomorrow’s healthcare marketplace will belong to companies that can collaborate effectively to produce next-generation combination products. MX Magazine (MD&DI Online). (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D., Lloyd S., Mayott C., De Fazio P. and Burke J. (2008) Challenges to International Device Reimbursement: Manufacturers must prepare themselves with a thorough understanding of international nuances. MD&DI Online. (Journal Articles)
  • Schenberger D. (2008) Mainstreaming MEMS: Microfluidic Drug Delivery Systems are Now a Market Reality. In. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Schenberger D. (2008) Putting a Charge in Healing: Electrical Stimulators Show Great Promise, Especially for Spinal Fusions. In ASME 2008 3rd Frontiers in Biomedical Devices Conference ASMEDC. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/biomed2008-38030. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Munro D. (2007) Insulin Delivery Microfluidic Systems Have Potential to Help Millions of Diabetics. 738917. (Journal Articles)
  • Munro D. (2006) Design of MEMS Sensor System to Measure Spinal Fusion. PhD Thesis, Davis. University of California at Davis. (Theses / Dissertations)
  • Munro D. (2006) Design of MEMS Sensor System. In. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Munro D. (1994) Wind Tunnel Testing for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. In NASA Technical Reports Server. Document ID 20010114136. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Munro D. and Ikenaka K. (1994) IC Chip to PC Board Connector System.Patent No. 5288238, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • Schenberger D. (1994) Wind Tunnel Testing for the SOFIA Project. In. (Conference Contributions - Published)
  • Schenberger D. (1990) Cycle Life Machine for AX5 Spacesuit. In NASA Technical Reports Server, Document ID 19900012764. (Conference Contributions - Published)

Affiliations

  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) (Professional Organisation): Professional Member, New York, USA

Future Research

  • Wireless implantable sensors for monitoring bone healing
  • Biomechanics lab for analysing human gait and motion performance
  • Biomaterial testing and analysis
  • Develop diagnostic devices and treatment methods for endometriosis
  • Sports and rehabilitation biomechanical analyses
  • Biomedical technician training program for the Pacific Islands

Key Methodologies

  • SolidWorks and PTC Creo CAD software
  • Hands-on and experiential learning (i.e. work experience in Tonga)
  • ANSYS and Autodesk Simulation finite element analysis software
  • Motion capture with cameras, forceplates, EMG, high-speed photography
  • Material testing, including biological tissues and biomaterials
  • MATLAB software
  • CNC Manufacturing and MasterCAM software
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