This morning we started the day with an introduction to the company Gogoa. They showed us many of the products they have designed. The first product was the exoskeleton that is designed to help patients regain the ability to walk after an injury or a stroke. Additionally, we were able to see a few other devices including a vagus nerve stimulator and products that help to improve patient’s reaction times. Following the visit to Gogoa we went to the main campus of the University of the Basque Country. While we were there we had the opportunity to speak with a professor in physical therapy. She showed us various tools used to help patient’s regain mobility and freedom as well as tools used to measure progress. Also, she showed us a biomechanical feedback studio which allows researchers to have a complete 3D visual of situations or people using various cameras and sensors on the body. As a nursing student, this was not something I was very familiar with.
After our visit to the main campus we had a short bus ride back to the engineering campus. We were joined with students and professors from the School of Engineering in Bilbao to listen to a presentation from Dr. Abramowitch. He explained his research that he has done looking at pelvic floor disfunction, specifically pelvic organ prolapse in women. The presentation was extremely interesting to me as it combined the engineering knowledge with anatomy knowledge I have gained from my first year of school and personal research I have done.
Finally, to wrap up the day we hiked San Juan de Gaztelulgatxe. The weather was perfect during our walk. At the church on the top of the mountain I rang the bell which is supposed to bring the person who rings it good luck. There were 241 stairs to get to the church. By the time we arrived back at the bus we were all extremely exhausted, but it was another amazing day in Bilbao!