Conversations with Our Network: i-Days Winners 2023

In this edition of Conversations with Our Network, we speak with the winning team of the i-Days 2023 competition, RecoverKnee, from the University of Galway. Competing against 22 teams from 16 countries, they secured victory with their innovative solution designed to aid individuals recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

The Innovation Days (i-Days) programme, organised by EIT Health, emphasises challenge-based learning, equipping students with vital skills in design thinking and pitching. The success of the team not only highlights their exceptional creativity and teamwork but also sets a benchmark for health solution development in higher education across Europe.  

In this interview, we chat with Thomas Brogan, Dara Keane, Darragh McAndrew, and James Gorman as they share their experiences, the inspiration behind RecoverKnee, and their vision for the future. 

Q. What inspired the idea for RecoverKnee?

The idea came from James’ personal experience. He tore his  ACL twice and faced several challenges during the rehabilitation process. As a group of biomedical engineers with a shared interest in sports, we decided to come together to find a solution to this issue, which led to the development of our design. 

Q. Can you describe how RecoverKnee addresses ACL recovery challenges? 

Our design is an easy sleeve that fits over the knee. It incorporates integrated EMG and IMU sensors to measure muscle activation levels. By monitoring these levels over time, we can calculate the physical strain on the muscles surrounding the knee. This information helps guide users on whether they should increase or decrease their recovery activities, providing a clear metric for post-surgery recovery. 

Q. How was your experience at the finals in Barcelona, competing against 22 teams? 

It was an incredible experience. On the first day, we participated in workshops focused on immersive technologies and AI, which were very inspiring. We met many like-minded individuals interested in bioengineering and innovation. The pitching experience was equally rewarding; we enjoyed presenting our project and learning about others’ ideas. 

Q. What valuable lessons did you learn during the pitching experience? 

One key takeaway was the importance of keeping the user in mind. A user-centred approach is crucial in developing effective solutions. We learned that iterating our design based on user feedback is vital to the development process. 

Q. What advice do you have for students participating in i-Days next year?

Be expressive and enthusiastic when pitching your ideas. Engage your audience by telling a compelling story about your project. Keeping their interest is crucial. 

Q. Any final thoughts from the team?

We’re incredibly grateful for the support from our mentors and the opportunity to participate in this competition. It’s been an enriching experience that we’ll carry into our future endeavours. 

Sponsored by AWS, this competition brings together healthcare innovation enthusiasts from all over Europe. Whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student, you too can be part of this exciting challenge. Register here. 

Learn more about how i-Days works in practice .