Beams (Bio-, Electro-
And Mechanical Systems) Department - Research
The multidisciplinary nature of the BEAMS (Bio Electro and Mechanical
Systems) department enables us to deal with biomedical engineering problems
involving microtechnics, mechanics, electromechanics, electrical
engineering, electronics and human organ modeling. The major interest of the
biomedical devices group in BEAMS is to develop medical devices in
collaboration with doctors. BEAMS has developed close relation with many
medical departments in Europe. For example, we collaborate since 2003 with
Jacques Devière and the department of gastro-enterology of Erasme Hospital
on several projects in the field of flexible digestive endoscopy. The
research axes of BEAMS in the biomedical field are the following : Surgical tools for flexible digestive endoscopy comprising triangulation
system, forceps, needles, guide-wires, implants, sensors, optical imaging
system…, Implanted devices, neurostimulation, biomedical signal monitoring and
processing, Medical devices for oral and transdermal drug delivery comprising
electro-spray and micro-needles, Modeling of human organs and physiology in kinesitherapy (rehabilitation)
and in gastro-enterology.
Genomic and
Structural Bioinformatics Group - Research
The research themes of the Genomic and Structural Bioinformatics Group
consist of the development and use of bioinformatics tools with the aim of
rationalizing and understanding the structure, stability, thermostability,
dynamics, interactions and function of biological macromolecules. In the
framework of systems biology, the group also studies the dynamical modeling
of gene transcription networks.
LISA - Research
LISA-Image is involved in research and development in two main topics of
applied sciences: image analysis and computer graphics. In the field of
image analysis and pattern recognition, LISA-Image develops new methods for
object segmentation in digital images, based on classification and decision
theory, as well as for tracking mobile objects in image sequences. In the
biomedical fields, algorithms and applications are developed in
collaboration with biologists and clinicians and cover 2D and 3D problems
such as : in vitro cell tracking with characterization of migration and
proliferation processes, quantitative characterization of immunohistochemical staining, quantitative characterization of pulmonary emphysema and articulation
cartilage.
In close collaboration with the Pathology Department of the Erasme Hospital,
a new multidisciplinary and inter-faculty unit, DIAPATH (Digital image
analysis in pathology), was recently developed to offer an integrated
solution for the identification, characterization and validation of protein
tissue-based biomarkers. This unit is included into the new Centre for
Microscopy and Molecular Imaging.
Image synthesis and virtual reality research activities are based on 3D
acquisition, 3D modeling and real time rendering. They are oriented towards
medical and real time applications such as : virtual fracture reduction, computer-assisted surgery, visibility computation in complex environments, gestural interface, etc.
Molecular and Bimolecular engineering - Research
Research in the laboratory focuses on the understanding and characterization
of interactions between molecular units using various physico-chemical
methods (micro-calorimetry; NMR spectroscopy and circular dichroïsm). We are
interested in the stability and dynamics of biomolecules and in the
association complexes that they form with other (bio)molecules. The
understanding of the energetics that guide the selective association of
proteins and DNA with other (bio)molecules including water, ligands or
hormones is of fundamental importance in bio-nanotechnology, for the
development of therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools. We are also involved
in the development of synthetic receptors or, in general, of synthetic
building blocks that can selectively interact in water with a given
substrate. The analytical detection and monitoring in aqueous environments
of compounds present at extremely low concentrations is a subject of great
current interest in medical diagnostics.
Service d'Automatique
et d'Analyse des Systèmes - Research
Our work aims at studying and developing control laws for providing force
feedback in robotic surgery. In this framework, the surgeon manipulates a
master robot and a slave robot reproduces the movement of the master within
the patient’s body. Presently, the only information on the operating
environment is provided through cameras inserted in the patient’s body. Yet
certain operations, like palpation of cancerous nodules or needle insertion
in specific tissues, only rely on the sense of touch (or the haptic
perception) of the surgeon. Therefore, in order to be able to perform such
operations by minimally invasive surgery or endoscopy, it is necessary to
develop specific master-slave devices equipped with appropriate control
laws. The challenges of these control applications are the large variability
in the properties of the environment made of soft tissues as well as in the
way the surgeons holds the operating devices. Besides, frictions forces are
of the same order of magnitude as the forces to be fed back to the operator,
which requires appropriate friction compensation schemes.
Service
de Métrologie Nucléaire - Research
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