Brain Tumour Classification Using Deep Features from Structural MRI

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Computer Assisted Learning in Obstetric Ultrasound

Ultrasound is a dynamic, real-time imaging modality that is widely used in clinical obstetrics. Simulation has been proposed as a training method, but how learners performance translates from the simulator to the clinic is poorly understood. Widely accepted, validated and objective measures of ultrasound competency have not been established for clinical practice. These are important because previous works have noted that some individuals do not achieve expert-like performance despite daily usage of obstetric ultrasound. Underlying foundation training in ultrasound was thought to be sub-optimal in these cases. Given the widespread use of ultrasound and the importance of accurately estimating the fetal weight for the management of high-risk pregnancies and the potential morbidity associated with iatrogenic prematurity or unrecognised growth restriction, reproducible skill minimising variability is of great importance. In this thesis, I will investigate two methods with the aim of improving training in obstetric ultrasound. The initial work will focus on quantifying operational performance. I collect data in the simulated and clinical environment to compare operator performance between novice and expert performance. In the later work I developed a mixed reality trainer to enhance trainee’s visualisation of how the ultrasound beam interacts with the anatomy being scanned. Mixed reality devices offer potential for trainees because they combine real-world items with items in the virtual world. In the training environment this allows for instructions, 3-dimensional visualisations or workflow instructions to be overlaid on physical models. The work is important because the techniques developed for the qualification of operator skill could be combined in future work with a training programme designed around educational theory to give trainee sonographers consistent feedback and instruction throughout their training

New Trends in 3D Printing

A quarter century period of the 3D printing technology development affords ground for speaking about new realities or the formation of a new technological system of digital manufacture and partnership. The up-to-date 3D printing is at the top of its own overrated expectations. So the development of scalable, high-speed methods of the material 3D printing aimed to increase the productivity and operating volume of the 3D printing machines requires new original decisions. It is necessary to study the 3D printing applicability for manufacturing of the materials with multilevel hierarchical functionality on nano-, micro- and meso-scales that can find applications for medical, aerospace and/or automotive industries. Some of the above-mentioned problems and new trends are considered in this book

High-resolution 3D printing enabled, minimally invasive fibre optic sensing and imaging probes

Minimally invasive surgical procedures have become more favourable to their traditional surgical counterparts due to their reduced risks, faster recovery times and decreased trauma. Despite this, there are still some limitations involved with these procedures, such as the spatial confinement of operating through small incisions and the intrinsic lack of visual or tactile feedback. Specialised tools and imaging equipment are required to overcome these issues. Providing better feedback to surgeons is a key area of research to enhance the outcomes and safety profiles of minimally invasive procedures. This thesis is centred on the development of new microfabrication methods to create novel fibre optic imaging and sensing probes that could ultimately be used for improving the guidance of minimally invasive surgeries. Several themes emerged in this process. The first theme involved the use and optimisation of high-resolution 3D injection of polymers as sacrificial layers onto which parylene-C was deposited. One outcome from this theme was a series of miniaturised parylene-C based membranes to create fibre optic pressure sensors for physiological pressure measurements and for ultrasound reception. The pressure sensor sensitivity was found to vary from 0.02 to 0.14 radians/mmHg, as the thickness of parylene was decreased from 2 to 0.5 μm. The ultrasound receivers were characterised and exhibited a noise equivalent pressure (NEP) value of ~100 Pa (an order of magnitude improvement compared to similarly sized piezoelectric hydrophones). A second theme employed high-resolution 3D printing to create microstructures of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and subsequently formed nanocomposites, to create microscale acoustic hologram structures. This theme included the development of innovative manufacturing processes such as printing directly onto optical fibres, micro moulding and precise deposition which enabled the creation of such devices. These microstructures were investigated for reducing the divergence of photoacoustically-generated ultrasound beams. Taken together, the developments in this thesis pave the way for 3D microfabricated polymer-based fibre optic sensors that could find broad clinical utility in minimally invasive procedures

Engineering Micro/Nanorobots Towards Biomedical Applications: Targeted Delivery, Surgery and Detoxification

Over the past decade, micro/nanomotors have emerged as novel and versatile nanotools demonstrating considerable promise for many environmental and biological applications. This dissertation aims to demonstrate unique advantages of micro/nanorobot platforms.The first theme focuses on developing the use of ultrasound propelled nanostructures for diverse applications, including “on-the-move” capture and the transport of multiple cargoes and internalization and movement inside live MCF-7 cancer cells.The second theme explores the use of acoustically triggered microcannons. This principle was tested towards mechanochemical blood clot degradation and enhancing drug permeability through the epidermis.The third theme describes the use of biohybrid robotics systems for detoxification and decontamination of environmental pollutants, including bacteria (E. coli), nerve agent (methyl paraoxon) and heavy metal ions (Cd and Pb) from aqueous solutions.In the not-so-distant future, Micro/nanorobots could serve as robust and versatile platform for potentially improving medical diagnosis and treatment

Development of Human Body CAD Models and Related Mesh Processing Algorithms with Applications in Bioelectromagnetics

Simulation of the electromagnetic response of the human body relies heavily upon efficient computational CAD models or phantoms. The Visible Human Project (VHP)-Female v. 3.1 - a new platform-independent full-body electromagnetic computational model is revealed. This is a part of a significant international initiative to develop powerful computational models representing the human body. This model’s unique feature is full compatibility both with MATLAB and specialized FEM computational software packages such as ANSYS HFSS/Maxwell 3D and CST MWS. Various mesh processing algorithms such as automatic intersection resolver, Boolean operation on meshes, etc. used for the development of the Visible Human Project (VHP)-Female are presented. The VHP - Female CAD Model is applied to two specific low frequency applications: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). TMS and tDCS are increasingly used as diagnostic and therapeutic tools for numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. The development of a CAD model based on an existing voxel model of a Japanese pregnant woman is also presented. TMS for treatment of depression is an appealing alternative to drugs which are teratogenic for pregnant women. This CAD model was used to study fetal wellbeing during induced peak currents by TMS in two possible scenarios: (i) pregnant woman as a patient; and (ii) pregnant woman as an operator. An insight into future work and potential areas of research such as a deformable phantom, implants, and RF applications will be presented

Minimally invasive therapies for the brain using magnetic particles

Delivering a therapy with precision, while reducing off target effects is key to the success of any novel therapeutic intervention. This is of most relevance in the brain, where the preservation of surrounding healthy tissue is crucial in reducing the risk of cognitive impairment and improving patient prognosis. Our scientific understanding of the brain would also benefit from minimally invasive investigations of specific cell types so that they may be observed in their most natural physiological environment. Magnetic particles based techniques have the potential to deliver cellular precision in a minimally invasive manner. When inside the body, Magnetic particles can be actuated remotely using externally applied magnetic fields while their position can be detected non-invasively using MRI. The magnetic forces applied to the particles however, rapidly decline with increasing distance from the magnetic source. It is therefore critical to understand the amount of force needed for a particular application. The properties of the magnetic particle such as the size, shape and magnetic content, as well as the properties of the applied magnetic field, can then be tailored to that application. The aim of this thesis was to develop magnetic particle based techniques for precise manipulation of cells in the brain. Two different approaches were explored, utilising the versatile nature of magnetic actuation for two different applications. The first approach uses magnetic nanoparticles to mechanically stimulate a specific cell type. Magnetic particles conjugated with the antibody ACSA-1 would selectively bind to astrocytes to evoke the controlled release of ATP and induce a calcium flux which are used for communication with neighbouring cells. This approach allows for the investigation into the role of astrocytes in localised brain regions using a naturally occurring actuation process (mechanical force) without effecting their natural environment. The second approach uses a millimetre sized magnetic particle which can be navigated through the brain and ablate localised regions of cells using a magnetic resonance imaging system. The magnetic particle causes a distinct contrast in MRI images, allowing for precise detection of its location so that it may be iteratively guided along a pre-determined path to avoid eloquent brain regions. Once at the desired location, an alternating magnetic field can be applied causing the magnetic particle to heat and deliver controllable, well defined regions of cell death. The forces needed for cell stimulation are orders of magnitude less than the forces needed to guide particles through the brain. Chapters 4 and 5 use external magnets to deliver forces in the piconewton range. While stimulation was demonstrated in small animals, scaling up this technique to human proportions remains a challenge. Chapters 6 and 7 use a preclinical MRI system to generate forces in the millinewton range, allowing the particle to be moved several centimetres through the brain within a typical surgical timescale. When inside the scanner, an alternating magnetic field causes the particle to heat rapidly, enabling the potential for multiple ablations within a single surgery. For clinical translation of this technique, MRI scanners would require a dedicated propulsion gradient set and heating coil