Circular Strategies for MedTech Suppliers from edX

Developing or improving medical devices to ensure a continuous supply for an exponentially growing population is a critical factor in making healthcare more sustainable.

This course will help you to make the transition towards a circular economy and create value in the healthcare industry on the supplier side. It has wide applications – designers and engineers working for MedTech manufacturers and suppliers; as well as students, managers, industry reps, sales teams or policy makers – anyone interested in knowing more about what circular design entails and how to support the improvement of product development, how to steer teams or give guidance to relevant stakeholders.

This course uses an interdisciplinary approach to create sustainable solutions in the healthcare supply industry using circular economy principles. It includes business cases with examples of circular strategies presented by experts in the field.

After taking this course you will understand the fundamentals of the circular economy and urban mining. You will learn how to create supplier value with circular strategies such as reuse, maintenance, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling of medical devices.

You will also learn how to create or stimulate circular product and circular process design. Finally, you will identify entrepreneurial possibilities and smart solutions to create a circular proposal with recommendations for your organization.

This course is part of the program Circular Strategies for Sustainable Healthcare developed by TU Delft’s MedTech experts in close collaboration with industry and renowned institutes. These courses provide not only academic insights but also practical tools and examples which can be implemented in any healthcare organization, and can help you propose and develop your own circular solutions and programs.

Free e-bookIn addition to 24/7 online access to video lectures and other course material, you will receive an electronic copy of the brand-new book 'Creating a Circular Healthcare Economy'. This book will further equip you to drive sustainable change and embrace circularity in the healthcare sector.

Accredited Course

This course is accredited by the Dutch Association for Hospital Instrumentation Technicians (VZI). Learners who successfully complete the course and obtain a certificate can request Professional Development Points.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The basics of circular economy and how to translate circular approaches within your own context
Define urban mining and identify recovery strategies from an industry perspective
Classify different waste streams and determine how to use them

Consider material properties and integrate these into the design of new products
Develop a new circular product or process which limits or eliminates waste

The basics of circular economy and how to translate circular approaches within your own context
Define urban mining and identify recovery strategies from an industry perspective
Classify different waste streams and determine how to use them
Consider material properties and integrate these into the design of new products
Develop a new circular product or process which limits or eliminates waste

Syllabus

The history and transfer from linear to circular

The Butterfly Diagram as a system

Corporate Social Responsibility Directive

Trend towards reusing and recycling raw materials

Circular approaches as strategies.

Maintenance, Reuse, Repair, Remanufacturing, Recycling

Circular products and circular processes

Translating the Butterfly Diagram into practical methods. Recycling of medical waste.

Defining urban mining

The advantages of urban mining

Identify urban mining strategies

Energy mining

Energy transition.

How to urban mine in different industries

How to use recycled materials as raw material for new products

Risks of contamination. Differences with household waste streams

Materials and properties

Testing methods: XRF, Tensile Testing

Develop circular products and circular processes to limit or eliminate waste streams

Material properties and integration into the design of new products, including using materials made from recycled resources

Design for maintenance, design for repair, design for refurbishment, design for remanufacturing, design for recycling

Modular and time-less design

Design strategies to extend service-life from a mechanical perspective

How do I create a circular proposal

Validation criteria and determining them when creating a circular proposal

Circular product design

Circular process design

How to write a circular proposal

How to evaluate a circular proposal

Week 1: Fundamentals of the circular economyIn this week you will learn the fundamentals of the circular economy. Topics which we will cover this week are:

Week 2: Applying circular strategiesIn this week you will learn to apply circular approaches. Topics which we will cover this week are:

Week 3: Urban miningTopics which we will cover this week are:

Week 4: Waste streamsTopics which we will cover this week are:

Week 5: Circular product and process designTopics which we will cover this week are:

Week 6: Creating a circular product or process proposalTopics which we will cover this week are:

Week 7: Closing weekIn this week we will wrap-up and provide main takeaways as well as additional resources and information. Literature reviews and finding relevant publications were part of this course and we will provide you with more relevant literature on this topic.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores circular economy principles for developing and improving medical equipment

Applies circular principles in healthcare settings, focusing on value creation

Covers the concept of urban mining and resource recovery in the context of healthcare

Helps professionals design circular healthcare products and processes to reduce waste

Provides a comprehensive understanding of circular economy concepts in the healthcare industry

Includes contributions from industry experts and case studies of real-world circular strategies

Taught by experienced instructors in MedTech at TU Delft

Provides practical tools and guidance for implementing circular solutions

Explores innovative approaches to healthcare sustainability

Helps participants contribute to the transition towards a circular healthcare economy

Offers a free e-book on Creating a Circular Healthcare Economy

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Circular Strategies for MedTech Suppliers with these activities:

Develop a Resource Library

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Curate a comprehensive collection of resources, such as articles, case studies, and tools, related to circular economy in healthcare.

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Search for and gather relevant resources from online databases, industry reports, and academic journals.
Organize the resources into a structured and accessible format, such as a website or online repository.
Provide annotations or summaries of the resources to enhance understanding.

Review Critical Thinking Skills

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Ensure a solid foundation in critical thinking to enhance problem-solving and decision-making abilities throughout the course.

Browse courses on Critical Thinking

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Examine past problem-solving experiences and identify key critical thinking strategies employed.
Practice applying critical thinking frameworks, such as the 5 Whys or SWOT analysis, to real-world scenarios.
Engage in discussions or debates to refine analytical and evaluation skills.

Attend Industry Conferences

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Connect with professionals in the healthcare and sustainability industries to gain insights and expand knowledge.

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Identify industry conferences or events that focus on circular economy or healthcare innovation.
Attend sessions, network with attendees, and engage in discussions to gain practical knowledge.
Follow up with potential mentors or collaborators after the event.

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Read 'Cradle to Cradle'

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Gain insights into the principles of circular economy and sustainable design to enhance understanding of course concepts.

View Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make... on Amazon

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Read and summarize key chapters that align with course topics, such as waste reduction and material recycling.
Identify case studies presented in the book and analyze their relevance to the healthcare industry.

Case Study Analysis Practice

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Develop proficiency in analyzing and solving complex case studies to prepare for assignments and exams.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Review and solve practice case studies provided by the instructor or from industry resources.
Attend workshops or online discussions on case study analysis techniques.
Form study groups to collaborate and brainstorm ideas for case study solutions.

Support Peer Learning

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Consolidate understanding and reinforce concepts by mentoring peers or participating in study groups.

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Identify opportunities to assist classmates with course material or assignments.
Participate in online forums or group discussions to provide support and answer questions.
Organize or lead study sessions to review key concepts and practice problem-solving.

Contribute to Circular Economy Projects

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Engage with the broader circular economy community by contributing to open-source projects and sharing knowledge.

Browse courses on Circular Economy

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Identify open-source projects related to circular economy in healthcare.
Contribute code, documentation, or other resources to these projects.
Participate in community discussions and forums to share knowledge and learn from others.

Develop a Circular Economy Proposal

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Apply course learnings to create a comprehensive proposal for implementing circular economy principles in the healthcare industry.

Browse courses on Circular Economy

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Identify a specific area or process within the healthcare supply chain to focus on.
Research and analyze industry best practices and case studies related to circular economy in healthcare.
Design and outline a circular economy proposal that includes strategies for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
Present the proposal to the class or a relevant audience for feedback and discussion.

Healthcare Innovation Challenge

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Put knowledge to the test by participating in a healthcare innovation challenge to develop solutions related to circular economy.

Browse courses on Innovation

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Identify and research healthcare innovation challenges that align with circular economy principles.
Form a team or collaborate with classmates to develop a solution.
Submit a proposal outlining the innovation, its potential impact, and its circularity aspects.
Present the solution to a panel of judges and receive feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Circular Strategies for MedTech Suppliers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Circular Economy Consultant

A Circular Economy Consultant provides advice to organizations on how to transition to a circular economy. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are essential for organizations that want to transition to a circular economy. This course can help Circular Economy Consultants stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new strategies that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Circular Economy Consultant

Urban Mining Specialist

An Urban Mining Specialist recovers and reuses materials from urban waste streams. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are essential for Urban Mining Specialists. This course can help Urban Mining Specialists stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new strategies that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Mining Specialist

Chemical Engineer

A Chemical Engineer designs and develops new chemical products. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable chemical products. This course can help Chemical Engineers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new products that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Environmental Engineer

An Environmental Engineer designs and implements solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable solutions to environmental problems. This course can help Environmental Engineers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new solutions that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Biomedical Engineer

A Biomedical Engineer designs and develops new biomedical products. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable biomedical products. This course can help Biomedical Engineers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new products that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Electrical Engineer

An Electrical Engineer designs and develops new electrical products. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable electrical products. This course can help Electrical Engineers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new products that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Product Designer

A Product Designer creates and develops new products. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable products. This course can help Product Designers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new products that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Mechanical Engineer

A Mechanical Engineer designs and develops new mechanical products. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable mechanical products. This course can help Mechanical Engineers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new products that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager develops and implements sustainability strategies for organizations. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable strategies for organizations. This course can help Sustainability Managers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new strategies that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Environmental Consultant

An Environmental Consultant provides advice to organizations on environmental issues. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable solutions to environmental issues. This course can help Environmental Consultants stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new solutions that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Sustainability Analyst

A Sustainability Analyst analyzes and reports on the sustainability of organizations. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable organizations. This course can help Sustainability Analysts stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new strategies that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Waste Management Specialist

A Waste Management Specialist develops and implements waste management strategies for organizations. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable waste management strategies. This course can help Waste Management Specialists stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new strategies that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Recycling Manager

A Recycling Manager develops and implements recycling programs for organizations. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable recycling programs. This course can help Recycling Managers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new programs that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Industrial Designer

An Industrial Designer creates and develops new industrial products. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable industrial products. This course can help Industrial Designers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new products that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Materials Scientist

A Materials Scientist researches and develops new materials for use in a variety of products. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in circular economy principles and urban mining, which are becoming increasingly important in the development of sustainable materials. This course can help Materials Scientists stay up-to-date on the latest trends in circular economy and urban mining, and can help them develop new materials that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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