https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/903 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 23:40:27 GMT 2026-09-17T23:40:27Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149169 Title: A methodical approach to integrated product development in total hip arthroplasty Authors: Ley, P.-P.; Wirths, L.; Oleff, C.; Jungreitmayr, F.; Vajna, S.; Paetzold, K.; Borg, Jonathan C. Abstract: Hip joint arthroplasty is considered to be a safe, successful and cost-effective procedure to restore hip joint functionality. However, a successful hip joint arthroplasty affects different stakeholders e.g. patient and surgeon and depends on various influencing factors within the product life cycle as well as the applied technological opportunities. Due to the complex dependencies between influencing factors, technological opportunities and stakeholders, this contribution introduces an IPD-based approach to improve the quality of total hip arthroplasties. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149169 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149168 Title: Structuring knowledge from surgical observations for design reuse Authors: Grech, Alexia K.; Borg, Jonathan C.; Muscat, Maria Rita; Ellul, Carmel Abstract: Due to the many benefits that it offers patients, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is becoming even more and more popular in a wide range of surgical fields. This paper describes a set of surgical observations that were carried out in order to investigate the problem of swapping of single functional tools that takes place in a particular MIS procedure. Results showed the need for multifunctional end-effectors having modular and interchangeable interfaces. This paper contributes to generating a set of design guidelines from the knowledge captured from a number of medical professionals, from observations made inside the operating theatre and from a review of existing patents. The ultimate aim of capturing and structuring the knowledge is to reuse it in medical device companies involved in design and manufacturing, by incorporating it in a knowledge intensive prototype tool to proactively guide designers in the early stages of design. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149168 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149167 Title: Exploiting integrated 'product' & 'life-phase' features Authors: Borg, Jonathan C.; Giannini, F. Abstract: Increasing competition requires more and more effort in delivering new products with better prices, good quality and environment savings. In this scenario, since most of the cost and product characteristics are dependent on commitments taken at the early design stages, designers require tools supporting them at considering the consequences of their decisions on the whole product life-cycle, starting from the conceptual design stage to the disposal phase. The adoption of such tools may enforce the exploration of different alternatives thus increasing the possibility of identifying the most convenient and innovative solution. Form features have been recognized as shape-oriented elements for associating geometry with engineering meaning, thus helping in reasoning on products in functional terms. However as argued in this paper, information on shape alone is insufficient for meaningful evaluation and forecast of life-cycle product consequences. The paper presents an approach for considering 'life-cycle consequences' during the design decision process, by taking into account both artefact features and the characteristics of the involved life-cycle systems. Mon, 01 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149167 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149141 Title: An approach for the effective utilisation of engineering design tools by multidisciplinary student teams Authors: Mamo, J.; Farrugia, P.; Borg, Jonathan C.; Wodehouse, A.; Grierson, H.; Kovacevic, A. Abstract: Collaborative design practice is becoming more popular as technology makes it easier to communicate ideas with others that are geographically distant. However, there is a challenge as different engineers use design tools which are familiar to them. These design tools usually differ from each other, and that is where the problem arises. With different design tools, engineers may find it much more difficult to share their ideas as well as making the whole process longer, which is highly undesirable. Each year the University of Malta, City University of London and University of Strathclyde organize a joint collaborative design project, in which engineering with different background and cultures participate. In this paper, the patterns in the use of design tools by students to collaborate with each other are investigated. The main aim will be to suggest an approach, which can easily be utilised by engineering students during collaborative work. The final approach proposed aids in facilitating the collaboration work of the engineering students as well as in promoting collaboration between engineering students. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149141 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z