“The days feel long, but the years go fast.” I feel like that’s how parents describe their kids growing up, but I am going to change ‘years’ to ‘weeks’ and use the phrase to describe my internship. Work days definitely feel long at times, but I can’t believe I only have 2 weeks left to finish everything up. This week was a busy one, as we finally started the hands-on testing for our QLV test method development project, I finished the functional and attribute testing for my torque device project, and I also got a bit more involved in a suture-material change project for a drainage catheter. The last project is unique because it is more of just a research project, but I am working with a materials engineer and can actually apply a lot of knowledge I learned in undergrad.
Getting our synthetic tissue ready for testing
My favorite part of the week was figuring out how to use the Instron (a universal testing system that can be used to conduct different mechanical tests) to determine the maximum force needed to puncture our material. As I mentioned before, Sarah and I found a synthetic venous tissue whose mechanical properties have been validated to match those of native tissues, so we will be using that in our testing. It was a real throwback to the design course we did in June as we utilized cardboard, push-pins, tape, and binder clips to hold our tissue and secure it to the Instron. It was really fun to mess around with all the different things we could find in the lab or around the office until we found the best way. I think we were all tempted at times to do something more ‘professional’ (aka not use supplies that kindergartners play with), but the low fidelity prototyping allowed us to be super flexible and to change our plan quickly and easily. This week we will conduct more comprehensive testing.
Low-fidelity prototyping of fixtures for mechanical testing
In addition to the internship, I had some extra homework this week as we received all of the implementation project files from last year’s teams. I am officially the leader of the ClaroScope project! ClaroScope is a teledermatology project with Barretos Cancer Hospital in Brazil. The hospital treats many patients at the hospital, but they also have mobile units to travel to people who are unable to get to the hospital for family, geographical, or financial reasons. A major disease that the mobile units diagnose and treat is skin cancer, which is a fast-growing problem in Brazil. Nurses in the mobile units take and send pictures of suspicious skin lesions to Dr. Silveira, who can identify the proper course of action. The problem is that the photos of the lesions are often poor quality and from varying distances, which can influence how big the lesion looks. This is where the ClaroScope comes in. Claroscope is a low cost dermatoscope that clips on to any smart phone and helps the user take clear and consistent photos of the skin lesions. The clear photos will ensure that more people receive accurate diagnoses and can start treatment before it is too late.
Left – Last year’s final ClaroScope prototype
Right – Example of why a dermatoscope tool is so needed for an accurate diagnosis
After this already exhausting week, we decided to kick it up a notch and head to Monteverde for the weekend. On Saturday, we hiked 500 miles (okay, maybe more like 5-6, but it was very uphill and felt like 500). But it was so worth it! Part of the 500 miles was a guided night hike where we saw a sloth, boa constrictor, tarantula (which was horrifying), a frog, and some beautiful birds. On Sunday we went ziplining, which was absolutely awesome. I was almost too scared to go and I screamed my head off half the time, but I am so happy I did it! It really felt like flying over the rainforest.
I can’t believe we only have one weekend left! Summer is truly ~flying~ by!