This week was really special for me, because it was a week in which I really started to feel comfortable in my workplace at Hospital Nacional de Niños. From conversing and joking with coworkers to being more helpful in clinical appointments through helping with splint adjustments to being able to shadow different specialities in rehabilitation, the office now feels like home. It usually takes a while for me to get adjusted to a new routine and environment like this, and trying to do so in a different language has made it even more complex. This is why I am so grateful and happy to have found a place that has accepted me, supported me, and guided me in the ways they have. While it is unfortunate that we only have 2 weeks left in the internship, I am glad that I have gotten to this point with my knowledge of Costa Rican culture, proficiency in Spanish, and my relationships with my colleagues.
In addition to further clinical observation this week as much as much as my schedule allowed, I also worked with Dr. Vargas to go through the different hand models and material combination we have been using to try to decrease the resistance required to pull the finger joints closed. Our most recent challenge has been trying to print the whole hand in a flexible material, which we have already shown can work with one finger. However, we are running into problems with the print file and getting “shifted fingers” regardless of the print orientation. While we haven’t found anything wrong in particular with the file, we will continue to do trials! With the flexyhand connection mechanism, we have successfully printed and brainstormed how we would be able to contain the electronics within the prosthesis, which is exciting!
Shifted fingers that we tried to print completely out of a flexible material. The long print time makes the design hard to work with and quickly modify.
Testing the fit of the connection mechanism and determining how we could add electronics to fit snugly on this component of the arm to make it bionic.
I was also able to shadow an occupational therapy student as she practiced making hand splints for CP patients, and then she took me through the process of making one myself! It really helped to understand the process, and I need a lot more to actually get it down.
My first attempt at a hand splint.
As far as travel, I went to Hacienda la Chimba with Hannah, Emily, and Sarah, which was a great experience! The hike was pretty, and the views were amazing!
This weekend, we are in Arenal to see the beautiful volcano and surrounding rainforest! We did a full day tour today that was great, but I am also stressed with some troubles with training, applications, and work, so I may need to come back early. I still loved my time here, but these next two weeks will really be tough and I need to be very focused.
Beautiful view of the Arenal volcano.