09-12-2022
Beatriz Jorge, Carolina Jorge, Irina Roque and Mafalda Molinar, students of the Integrated Master in Biomedical Engineering of NOVA School of Science and Technology, were the winners of the 3rd edition of the Health Hackathon, promoted in partnership by Hospital da Luz Learning Health and the National Association of Biomedical Engineering Students.
The winning team presented the project "C The Future", which responded to the challenge of this edition: to identify a solution to predict falls in the context of hospital admission.
"Our solution consisted of an algorithm that identifies movements and patterns, without contacting the patient, which predicts postural behaviours that could lead to a fall. Our idealised algorithm is based on measurements of irregularities in the centre of mass that demonstrate cases of loss of balance and decrease in muscle strength, as well as detection of the frequency of movements that assess reflex responses in a situation of imbalance. This algorithm would complement the prevention mechanisms currently used by adding a real-time analysis of the patient," explain the winners.
They add "it was a challenging 24 hours to solve a real problem in a hospital context. Without a doubt, it was an enriching experience, where we could contact several mentors and colleagues from diverse fields of study with a sole common goal: to innovate in health!".
The event brings together students from diverse scientific backgrounds in a marathon of creativity and innovation, where participants are challenged to find a solution in 24 hours to for a real problem at in Hospital da Luz.
