Publications
Path tracking control of a steerable catheter in transcatheter cardiology interventions KU Leuven
PURPOSE: Intracardiac transcatheter interventions allow for reducing trauma and hospitalization stays as compared to standard surgery. In the treatment of mitral regurgitation, the most widely adopted transcatheter approach consists in deploying a clip on the mitral valve leaflets by means of a catheter that is run through veins from a peripheral access to the left atrium. However, precise manipulation of the catheter from outside the body while ...
OCT-based intra-cochlear imaging and 3D reconstruction: ex vivo validation of a robotic platform KU Leuven
PURPOSE: The small size of the cochlea, and its location deeply embedded in thick temporal bone, poses a challenge for intra-cochlear guidance and diagnostics. Current radiological imaging techniques are not able to visualize the cochlear microstructures in detail. Rotational optical coherence tomography (OCT) fibers show great potential for intra-cochlear guidance. The generated images could be used to map, and study, the tiny cochlear ...
High-fidelity, low-cost synthetic training model for fetoscopic spina bifida repair. KU Leuven
BACKGROUND: Fetoscopic spina bifida repair is increasingly being practiced, but limited skill acquisition poses a barrier to widespread adoption. Extensive training in relevant models, including both ex vivo and in vivo models may help. To address this, a synthetic training model that is affordable, realistic, and that allows skill analysis would be useful. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to create a high-fidelity model for training in the essential ...
Development and Evaluation of Robot-Assisted Ultrasound Navigation System for Pedicle Screw Placement: An Ex-vivo Animal Validation KU Leuven
PURPOSE: Spinal instrumentation with pedicle screw placement (PSP) is an important surgical technique for spinal diseases. Accurate screw trajectory is a prerequisite for PSP. Ultrasound (US) imaging with robot-assisted system forms a non-radiative alternative to provide precise screw trajectory. This study reports on the development and assessment of US navigation for this application. METHODS: A robot-assisted US reconstruction was proposed ...
Exteriorization of the uterus reduces fetoscopic cannula-induced stress and strain: A finite element model analysis KU Leuven
OBJECTIVE: To estimate stresses and strains in the uterine wall and fetal membranes with single/multi-port fetoscopy, simulating either a percutaneous access or via exteriorized uterus. STUDY DESIGN: Finite element models based on anatomical dimensions, material properties and boundary conditions were created to simulate stresses, strains and displacements on the uterine wall and fetal membranes during simulated fetal surgery either via ...
In Vivo Material Properties of Human Common Carotid Arteries: Trends and Sex Differences KU Leuven
INTRODUCTION: In vivo estimation of material properties of arterial tissue can provide essential insights into the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, these properties can be used as an input to finite element simulations of potential medical treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study uses non-invasively measured pressure, diameter and wall thickness of human common carotid arteries (CCAs) acquired in 103 ...
3D vs. 2D simulated fetoscopy for spina bifida repair: a quantitative motion analysis KU Leuven
3D imaging technology is becoming more prominent every day. However, more validation is needed to understand the actual benefit of 3D versus conventional 2D vision. This work quantitatively investigates whether experts benefit from 3D vision during minimally invasive fetoscopic spina bifida (fSB) repair. A superiority study was designed involving one expert team ([Formula: see text] procedures prior) who performed six 2D and six 3D fSB repair ...
Characterization of a 3D Printed Endovascular Magnetic Catheter KU Leuven
Minimally invasive endovascular procedures rely heavily on catheter devices. However, traditional catheters lack active steering requiring considerable skill on the surgeon’s part to accurately position the tip. While catheter tips could be made steerable using tendon-driven and Pneumatic Artificial Muscle ( PAM) approaches, remote magnetic actuation is uniquely suited for this task due to its safety, controllability, and intrinsic ...