Created 07/02/2017 at 2017:10PM

After settling into this project for 3 weeks now, I have started to see glimpses of the vast expanse of knowledge which I would never have known to exist. For the project this week, we continued to test the technology of the system, and draw up additional methodology and post-trial questionnaires to ensure our data collection with telestration goes smoothly (coming up soon!!). I also helped another graduate student setting up motion control systems, equipment that including the Myo Armband and the leap motion sensor connected to a TedCube. It was insanely futuristic to open my emails and click on links, just by opening and closing my palm, slowly moving my arm around with the Myo Armban snugly fit around my forearm. I can’t believe how accurately I could move my computer mouse around with small arm movements, and that this technology is still in development, and future years will most likely generate ever increasing improvements. It would be crazy to potentially be involved on a development team that could generate devices that clearly translate natural, intentional human movements into inputs on a technological device.

The vastness of medicine, the medical field as a whole amazes me. To see the monitors, the calibrations of each surgical tool, and the intuition, insight each medical professional holds to interpret this information is incredible. Talking to an anesthesiologist during a hip-replacement surgery, he explained the reason for using spinal anesthesia even though the conscious mind was suppressed by the general anesthetic. Even if you don’t remember, your body, and brain stem still react, and very much remember the trauma of surgery. Using just anesthesia that lasts for 2-3 hours allows the body to have no memory of the surgical procedure, and just the aftermath. The research behind these processes is still in development, but perhaps one day we can truly understand. Before going into the operating room for observation, I did not understand the intensity and the preciousness of every minute spent under anesthetic, in the procedure. But now I understand the needs of surgery - and any minute shaved off the total time will likely be very beneficial not only to the financial costs of the hospital but also of the patient.

While I would have expected to feel like a saturated sponge from the overload of medical information I’ve absorbed this week, I also feel very much like the “Very Hungry Caterpillar,” and I just want to learn more - to truly understand at least parts of the picture. After shadowing surgeries for Wednesday, I went home and was wide awake with images, the senses, and the collaboration and the dedication, total compassion for which these professionals put into the work. The developments in technology, surgical techniques, and understandings of cognition are inspiring and motivating, and drawing me to go further.

I’ve also started to read more into the current codebase, and on developing .NET applications. The Kinect sensor V2 has quite a great API, and using a “pinched” hand would closely mimic the naturalness with which people are accustomed to picking up a pen. Although I am uncertain how far I will get with the development of this project by the deadline for data collection, I started making a design specification sheet today (Friday), and looking to write the initial code next week.

This week was busier than expected, but I still had fun in Annapolis. This city has quite a great spread of trails, from the harbor to Poplar trail, or even the beautiful red-bricked streets. There have been a conundrum of side activities I have attempted in other time as well. One tip for the inexperienced cook - making black beans from scratch actually can take 3 hours if you aren’t patient with soaking them overnight. One weeknight, went to a meetup for “Makers,” a space for people to build various projects from 3D printing to book shelves. Quick interesting to see the newly opened space, and hope to potentially use it to learn about making new projects. Yet another time, going to a volunteer workshop with middle schoolers was so adorable, they are so easily excitable and energetic, full of a sense of wonderment. I hope to always keep this sense of awe, as things so easily can become routine. But for now, the novelty, and excitement are keeping me going. Onwards to Week 04!!