Master Thesis project

The goal of this project is to design, realize and characterize an innovative angular sensor.

 

Your position

The flagship project MIRACLE ( https://miracle.dbe.unibas.ch ), short for Minimally Invasive Robot-Assisted Computer-guided LaserosteotomE, aims to develop a robotic endoscope to perform contact-free bone surgery with laser light.

Laserosteotomy offers several advantages over conventional mechanical bone surgery such as precise and small cuts based on pre-operative planning, functional cut geometry (so-called smart cuts), accelerated healing, and less trauma.

Accurate and real-time tracking of the MIRACLE robotic endoscope is essential for its navigation and the realization of precise cuts. For minimally invasive interventions, state-of-the-art optical tracking systems are not applicable due to the required line-of-sight. Therefore, a major part of the research of MIRACLE is devoted to the development of innovative tracking concepts to monitor the position and the orientation of the laser tip and the entire shape of the endoscope inside the patient.

One of the proposed solutions is based on the use of a novel angular sensor called ASTRAS (Angular Sensor for TRAcking Systems) developed in the Planning and Navigation group of the MIRACLE project. This tracking concept works with articulated robots in which several ASTRAS measure the angles at each joint.

ASTRAS is an opto-mechanical system which includes an image sensor, a mirror, an LED.

Another important development, which is the topic of this master thesis, is to extend the range of measurement to 360° (the current version is limited to about 25°). This new version of ASTRAS is called ASTRAS360 and it is based on the use of several mirrors simultaneously.

The candidate will design, realize and characterize the first prototype of ASTRAS360.

She/He will improve her/his skills in designing and implementing small opto-mechanical systems, and in characterizing high precision measurement systems.

 

Your profile

• Programming skills with MATLAB is desirable
• Designing skills with Solidworks is desirable
• Ability in assembling optomechanical systems is desirable
• Applicants are expected to have excellent language skills in English

 

We offer you

• An exciting international and collaborative research environment
• Supervisors that will take time to support and teach you
• The opportunity to work on a multi-disciplinary project
• The opportunity to learn using tools such 3d-printer, machine tools, cnc, embedded electronic devices, etc.

 

Calendar

The starting date is negotiable.

 

Location

University of Basel

Department of Biomedical Engineering

Gewerbestrasse 14

CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland

 

Application / Contact

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Lorenzo Iafolla (lorenzo.iafolla@unibas.ch) or Prof. Philippe C. Cattin (philippe.cattin@unibas.ch).