Internships
Read about the details of my internships below
Clinical Engineering Internship- Moon Surgical
​In the summer of 2023 (May-August), I had the opportunity of interning at Moon Surgical, a medical device company specializing in a Surgical Assisting Robotic System known as Maestro. Maestro assists surgeons during laparoscopic surgeries, offering advanced features such as instrument centering, where the camera automatically adjusts based on the surgeon's movements. The aim of Maestro is to provide a more cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to other products on the market.
As Moon Surgical is a newer and smaller company, I had the opportunity to contribute to various aspects of the company and engage in diverse projects. Upon joining, our primary focus was to complete usability studies with surgeons and nurses, conduct design and validation testing, and obtain 510k clearance. During my first week, I prepared for these studies by writing and editing protocols, creating a quick reference guide, editing the user manual, and producing a video guide for draping the system.
Subsequently, I actively participated in these usability studies, both as an observer and a moderator. In my role as a clinical intern, I managed the setup and cleanup for the cadavers used in the lab and conducted interviews with surgeons and nurses after each study to gather feedback. Additionally, I organized all data files and maintained a master spreadsheet to track participant data. After the completion of the studies, I assisted in writing and editing reports and created summarized tables to support the 510k clearance process.
Our next task involved successfully conducting first-in-human cases in the U.S. using an older System for which we had already obtained 510k clearance. My responsibilities included assembling training kits and developing a training program. I also had the opportunity to visit a real operating room and observe hernia and cholecystectomy procedures. This experience deepened my understanding of how the System could be applied in real-life surgical scenarios to meet the needs of surgeons.
I also contributed to projects such as surgeon demonstrations, where surgeons from across the nation visited our facility for a VIP tour, including our clinical lab space and getting to interact with the System.
Overall, I had an amazing experience at Moon Surgical and learned so much by working alongside one of the most talented and down-to-earth people in the industry. I look forward to applying the concepts and skills I've gained through my time at Moon Surgical in the future.
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R&D Internship- Medtronic
During the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to work with the Structural Heart & Aortic (SH&A) and Mitral & Tricuspid (M&T) divisions at Medtronic. My project focused on improving the deployment dynamic test method for TTVR, a critical process used to determine the optimal depth target for implant deployment to prevent right ventricular (RV) injuries. The test method helps ascertain how far into the annulus the implant must be deployed for accuracy and safety.
My primary goal was to enhance the accuracy and reduce the testing time of the existing method. To achieve this, I approached the problem by breaking it down into three main steps:
1) Evaluating the Current Test Method:
I conducted 10 baseline tests to identify the key factors affecting both accuracy and testing time. The results highlighted that the camera setup and the manual measurement method were the most significant contributors to these issues. I decided to focus my efforts on improving these two aspects.
2) Experimenting and Developing Improvements:
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Measurement Methods: The current measurements were taken manually, which was both inaccurate and time-consuming. To address this, I developed a MATLAB code that automates the measurement process from video inputs. This was accomplished using MATLAB’s Image Processing Toolboxes and the Segment Anything Model (SAM).
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Camera Fixture: The existing camera fixture required manual adjustments each time, resulting in inconsistent camera alignment and added time. I designed a new fixture to ensure a consistent, horizontal camera position relative to the tank used for implant deployment.
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Additional Enhancements: For the segmentation code to work effectively, I experimented with different lighting setups and backgrounds to optimize the testing environment. I found that isolating the deployment tank with a custom-designed enclosure provided the best results. I designed this tank enclosure using SolidWorks and also manufactured it. Additionally, I fabricated extra testing components using laser welding techniques.
3) Evaluating the Improved Test Method:
After implementing the improvements, I conducted 10 tests using the enhanced method. The results showed a 71.5% reduction in testing time and a 12.1% decrease in the percentage error.​​
Overall, this experience was invaluable. Not only did I gain technical skills and develop a problem-solving mindset crucial for tackling engineering challenges, but I also made significant strides in my career development. I had the opportunity to connect with professionals from diverse backgrounds, working across various functions and operating units, and I attended career panels that provided further insights. Additionally, I deepened my understanding of the class III medical device processes at a large corporate, including the PDP, quality and regulatory requirements essential to this field.