| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/H049347/1 |
| Title: |
Robotic reduction of complex fractures using 3D puzzle solving algorithm |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dogramadzi, Professor S |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Faculty of Environment and Technology |
| Organisation: |
University of the West of England |
| Scheme: |
First Grant - Revised 2009 |
| Starts: |
01 August 2010 |
Ends: |
31 July 2012 |
Value (£): |
98,864
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Control Engineering |
Med.Instrument.Device& Equip. |
| Robotics & Autonomy |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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13 Apr 2010
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Materials, Mechanical & Medical Engineering Panel
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The joints of the body are frequently involved in bone breaks, typically classified as intra-articular fractures. If a joint is to function properly again, that is to provide pain-free stability and movement, the broken pieces of the joint must be subjected to an anatomic reduction e.g. put back together as perfectly as possible. This project's aim is to set a research basis for creating a robotics device for precise anatomic reduction of complex, joints' fractures using the state of the art of 3D imaging, pattern recognition and robotics. The cost of trauma in hospitals is massive and a saving that robotics could potentially bring is promising. We believe that Bristol Robotics Laboratory's vibrant cross-disciplinary environment and its close association with Bristol Royal Infirmary places the investigators in an excellent position to exploit the opportunity of combining their robotics and clinical expertise with commercial 3D imaging software solutions developed by Simpleware.Trauma accounts for the highest proportion of healthcare expenditure. The BRI Limb unit has been at the forefront of injury research for the past three decades. BRL has, on the robotics side, been a fast developing robotics laboratory with a wide expertise in many areas of service and swarm robots. In order to promote the research in the area of orthopaedic robotics, we have formed a collaboration between the department of orthopedic surgery at the University of Bristol (Professor Roger Atkins), the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (Dr S Dogramadzi), the Centre for Fine Print Research at the University of the West of England (Dr P Walters and Dr D Huson) and a software company (Simpleware Ltd). This proposal is a first attempt to initiate the realization of an ambitious idea that can potentially bring benefits to a broad community of stakeholders. It is a feasibility study that aims to develop a novel robotic device capable of reducing complex joint fractures at the appropriate level of autonomy. An automated 3D jigsaw solving algorithm needs to be developed at this stage that would allow calculation of the optimum paths in overall alignment of the broken joint's segments. When the fracture is successfully reduced in simulation, the next step is to develop a robotic device to manipulate the fractured joint's parts using a fine wire circular frame applied across the joint. This will allow less exposure to CT scan for patients and staff, considerable resource saving, more rapid recovery and less scarring of the limb.Robot assisted surgery is an emerging interdisciplinary field that aims at improving the outcome of surgical procedures, reducing intra-operative time and radiation exposure to patients and staff as well as minimizing the invasiveness of a variety of surgical procedures. It seems very likely that Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery (MRCAS) will be a pervasive element of future society; there are many indications e.g. MRCAS report (http://www.piribo.com/publications/medical_devices/medical_robotics_computerassisted_surgery.html) that this will be a huge opportunity for life enhancement and commercial exploitation. The total worldwide market for MRCAS devices and equipment was around $1.3 billion in 2006 and is expected to reach $5.7 billion by 2011, an average annual grow rate of 34.7%. There is a natural synergy in this project; the PI has a track record in robotics and a strong background in mathematics and control, the Advisor is an experienced clinician with an academic portfolio of developments in orthopaedics surgery. The collaborating company Simpleware will provide their software licence for the duration of the project as well as the software support. BRL's rapid prototyping facilities will contribute to realisation of the project's hardware and the visualisation of the real fractures obtained from BRI's medical archives.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.uwe.ac.uk |