Week 4

This week, I spent most of my time learning how to design 3D scaffold using AutoCAD. The final aim of the project that I am working on here is to create a patient's specific replacement based on the information from MRI or micro CT, and then treating the lesion with the anatomically accurate 3D printed scaffold. I have literally no background on it, so I think it would take me a couple of weeks, but I kind of have enjoyed learning it.

https://ryortho.com/breaking/cartiva-first-op-procedure-with-synthetic-cartilage-implant/
Meanwhile, I also shadowed Dr. John Kennedy for clinics. One patient who suffered from joint pain was treated with Cartiva which is composed of polyvinyl alcohol and salt water. It has been shown that this synthetic cartilage can replace a damaged cartilage, reducing patient's pain while supporting movement. The patient said that she felt less pain, but still had a swelling on her instep, which is minor.

https://www.virtamed.com/en/medical-training-simulators/overview/
Also, I had a chance to attend a meeting for developing biomedical device. They were from VitraMed and currently work on making a knee surgical simulator for medical students. They have developed simulators for knee, hip, and so on. I was allowed to try it, and I felt like it was like a game. There were diverse surgical tools which are exactly same as the tools used in reality. I felt many things and also think that BME can play a role in many fields in different ways.

Every week, I know, learn, and see a new thing. I am pretty sure that the immersion program will have a great impact on me in terms of research.

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