Publications
An Augmented Reality-Based Interaction Scheme for Robotic Pedicle Screw Placement KU Leuven
Robot-assisted surgery is becoming popular in the operation room (OR) for, e.g., orthopedic surgery (among other surgeries). However, robotic executions related to surgical steps cannot simply rely on preoperative plans. Using pedicle screw placement as an example, extra adjustments are needed to adapt to the intraoperative changes when the preoperative planning is outdated. During surgery, adjusting a surgical plan is non-trivial and typically ...
The role of medial ligaments and tibialis posterior in stabilising the medial longitudinal foot arch: a cadaveric gait simulator study KU Leuven
BACKGROUND: Debate exists whether adult acquired flatfoot deformity develops secondary to tibialis posterior (TibPost) tendon insufficiency, failure of the ligamentous structures, or a combination of both. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the contribution of the different medial ligaments in the development of acquired flatfoot pathology. Also to standardise cadaveric flatfoot models for biomechanical research and orthopaedic training. ...
Miniature Pneumatic Artificial Muscles for Use in Surgical Devices KU Leuven
Novel miniature actuators are needed to design flexible instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Smaller actuators are especially important for instruments with multiple degrees of freedom, which must incorporate multiple actuators in a very limited cross sectional area. Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) have been selected for this purpose due to their simple construction, high power-to-weight ratio, and promise for ...
Concentric Dual-Chamber Pneumatic Artificial Muscles: Miniature Actuators Designed for Use in Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments KU Leuven
Development of high-performance flexible surgical instruments is important to simplify and enable new minimally invasive surgical procedures. New actuation technologies are necessary to produce flexible instrumentation that is capable of accessing difficult-to-reach anatomy and performing laborious tasks without damaging delicate tissues. Recently, concentric McKibben muscles and dual-chamber pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) have been ...
Local One-Dimensional Motion Estimation Using FBG-Based Shape Sensing for Cardiac Applications KU Leuven
Robotic Endoscope Control Via Autonomous Instrument Tracking KU Leuven
Many keyhole interventions rely on bi-manual handling of surgical instruments, forcing the main surgeon to rely on a second surgeon to act as a camera assistant. In addition to the burden of excessively involving surgical staff, this may lead to reduced image stability, increased task completion time and sometimes errors due to the monotony of the task. Robotic endoscope holders, controlled by a set of basic instructions, have been proposed as ...
Traumatic brain injury in the elderly population: a 20-year experience in a tertiary neurosurgery center in Belgium KU Leuven
PURPOSE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) rates in the elderly population are rapidly increasing worldwide. However, there are no clinical guidelines for the treatment of elderly TBI to date. This study aims at describing injury patterns and severity, clinical management, and outcomes in elderly TBI patients, which may contribute to specific prognostic tools and clinical guidelines in the future. METHODS: Clinical records of 2999 TBI patients ≥ 65 ...
Mechanical evaluation of a patient-specific additively manufactured subperiosteal jaw implant (AMSJI) using finite-element analysis KU Leuven
Edentulism with associated severe bone loss is a widespread condition that hinders the use of common dental implants. An additively manufactured subperiosteal jaw implant (AMSJI) was designed as an alternative solution for edentulous patients with Cawood and Howell class V-VIII bone atrophy. A biomechanical evaluation of this AMSJI for the maxilla in a Cawood and Howell class V patient was performed via finite-element analysis. Occlusal and ...