Mirjam Davidse
In 2024, Mirjam was awarded a scholarship from the KIVI Foundation Study and Travel Fund to contribute to her internship trip to Curaçao.
During my 10-week internship from my Technical Medicine studies, I gained experience at the Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Department of the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC). An important aspect of this internship was working at the 3D lab, established since September 2023, where a 3D printer is available to print designed models for use in the operating theatre.
My main project focused on setting up a workflow for producing 3D printed lower leg prostheses in Curaçao, an innovative method compared to the current workflow where lower leg prostheses are made entirely by hand. This involved a process in which I first gathered valuable information in collaboration with a local prosthetist and a rehabilitation doctor. Based on this information, I proposed what the revamped workflow should look like, including a detailed roadmap for the development of the first 3D printed lower leg prosthesis. An essential part of this revamped workflow is the use of a 3D handheld scanner, which was purchased during my internship. I investigated how this scanner could be optimally used for scanning the lower leg stump so that the data could be accurately converted into a suitable 3D model for prosthesis production.
Besides my main project, I also worked on a side project in collaboration with the Radiotherapy Department. Here, I contributed to the development of a 3D-printed phantom used to apply the breath-holding technique during mammary irradiation. This project contributed to improving the precision and effectiveness of radiation treatments.
I also learned to create various 3D plans for trauma and orthopaedic surgeries. I then printed these designs so that surgeons could use the models as visual and tactile aids during operations. This helped improve the preparation and execution of surgical procedures.
During my internship, I also gained valuable clinical experience. For example, I assisted during operations, walked along on the ward and participated in outpatient consultations. These experiences further deepened my understanding of the practical applications of medical technologies and gave me insight into how people work in a foreign hospital.
My internship was multifaceted and thus gave me many great experiences, both clinical and technical. In addition, it was enriching to be able to do this abroad, because it allowed me to discover a new culture. This applies to both the hospital and the island itself.
