This week was filled with exploration of different research projects going on in the medical device industry. We were able to attend the HealthTECH Barretos Bootcamp. This was hosted in the IRCAD and is a place where multiple startups are developing products. A large majority of these are in partnership with Hospital de Amor and are able to test their products at the Barretos Hospital de Amour location.
Toward the end of the second day of the boot camp we were able to meet with some of these groups and test out their product. Both groups I was able to meet worked with VR. One group’s purpose was to decrease kids’ anxiety as they are going into surgery and the other’s was to help surgeons prepare for surgery. Later on in the week, we met with the UNNA group out of San Paolo to learn about their research project that focuses on innovating early screening techniques.
Throughout the week we continued to meet with various departments on our tour of the hospital. We were introduced to the endoscopy department who is working with a Baylor and Rice collaboration research team. We met with the digital health department and were presented their research projects that focus on areas of data analysis. Lastly, we visited the Gynecology department and met with Dr. Fabio and Dr. Fabiana about a research project whose goal is to implement biopsy processing in the mobile units in order to decrease patient diagnoses time. All of this really opened my eye to how dedicated the hospital and people are to helping others. It is truly inspiring to see a group of people with such a collective drive to improving cancer patient care, screening, and treatment. I am even more honored that I am able to join one of their research projects for the rest of the summer.
Currently we are still analyzing all the research projects. We do plan to choose one to help Hospital de Amour with by early next week. However, I am happy that I get a chance to help such an amazing hospital and work with such amazing people throughout the rest of the summer.