Temperature measurment for low-resource settings

Your challenge

Are you the enthusiastic, talented intern we’re looking for?

In low-resource settings (rural areas with limited access to healthcare) there is a great need for affordable and accurate diagnostics that can be used by low-skilled community health workers (CHWs). CHWs are often trained to diagnose and treat and/or refer patients potentially suffering from the major causes of death: pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. Philips Research is working on a portfolio of medical devices for low-resource settings targeting CHWs. It has created the Children Automated Respiration Monitor (ChARM) to support the diagnosis of pneumonia in children under 5. It is now adding other vital signs such as pulse oximetry and temperature into an integrated diagnostic device for children under 5. Philips Research is working closely with the new Philips Africa Innovation Hub to bring these solutions to the market.

http://www.newscenter.philips.com/main/standard/news/press/2014/20140321-philips-to-establish-research-and-innovation-hub-in-africa.wpd#.VWNefPmqqko

The project has identified potential temperature sensor technologies and the next step needs to be made on integrating the most feasible temperature sensor for the target context and use case.

Your responsibilities

• Conduct a landscape of fever      diagnostics for low resource settings.
• Conduct a trade-off analysis of      available technologies for measuring temperature and identify key areas of      needs for the target use context.
• Build prototypes for testing      and demonstration purposes. Iteratively design and test towards a final      proposal.
• As you learn from your      explorations and analyses, you will regularly adapt and expand your plan      in consultation with your supervisor and other project members.
• You are expected to show a good      degree of technical independence and be self-organized, while not      hesitating to ask others for input and feedback to make sure that your      work is relevant and valuable.
• You will give one or more      presentations in the project team and you will document your findings and      recommendations in an internal report.

Your team

• Philips Research is a global      organization that helps Philips introduce meaningful innovations that      improve people’s lives. We put people at the center of our work,      responding to their aspirations, needs and desires.
• Creativity and      interdisciplinary teams are at the heart of Research. You will be part of      a project team of several scientists and designers working on new concepts      and technologies around the same topic.
• More information about Philips      Research: www.research.philips.com.

Our offer

You will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to an innovative solution for a pressing healthcare challenge, while working in an open, entrepreneurial and international environment.

• Start preferably as soon as      possible
• Duration 4 to 8 months (can be      discussed)
• Working full-time at the High      Tech Campus in Eindhoven
• Supervision and support      available for 1 to 2 hours per week
• Can be discussed with      University supervisors whether it is suitable for a thesis.

We are looking for

To be successful in this internship we are looking for you:

• MSc student in a field related to biomedical engineering or related field.
• Good knowledge of vital signs measurement and monitoring
• Clear affinity with healthcare and/or biomedical challenges
• Prototype development
• Excellent communication skills
• Fluent in English

Notes

Required documents in order for us to continue with your application:

• Student registration form (Proof of enrollment at your current education)
• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your motivation and informing your availability

Please note that in order to be considered for an internship, it should be compulsory (for students outside EU/EER) by your education and you need to be registered as a student during the entire internship period. Formal documentation of which may be requested at any time.

Please note that the contents of our regular internship assignments are not suitable for professionals (and/or MBA students) with professional work experience.