Internship proposal: Intracerebral localization of microrobots by ultrasound

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Internship type

Research-oriented Master 2

Duration

6 months from early 2024

Context

In minimally invasive surgery, and particularly in neurosurgery, the ability to reach deep areas without damage and with precision remains a major challenge. Neurosurgical tools such as needles are still limited by their precision and maneuverability. In this context, microrobots, such as those designed by Robeauté (https://robeaute.com/), would be a revolutionary tool for neurosurgeons in their operations. The microrobot could be used to deliver drugs, perform microbiopsies or carry out gene therapies with precision and in areas that are difficult to access.

In collaboration with the company Robeauté, the LIB is designing new approaches to cerebral localization of microrobots. The tracking techniques exploit ultrasound propagation through the skull to determine the exact position of the medical device to target the area of the brain to be treated [Francois et al. 2019, Zarader et al. 2023].

Artist’s view of the DOT microrobots developed by Robeauté

These techniques are like those we have developed for transcranial super-resolved ultrasound, enabling reconstruction of the cerebral vascular network in 3D (Couture et al. 2019, Chavignon et al. 2022, see attached figure). This approach is based on imaging ultrasound scatterers circulating in blood vessels, locating them at sub-wavelength, and tracking them in order to reconstruct a 3D image that could potentially help in the diagnosis of numerous diseases involving microcirculation, such as stroke.

Super-resolved transcranial 3D brain ultrasound (ULM, from Arthur Chavignon’s 2021 thesis)

Objective

The aim of the internship, carried out at the LIB, is to design a new method of locating the microrobot using simulations of transcranial ultrasound propagation and a new type of miniaturized sensor.

Missions

Working with the PhD student currently working on the subject (Pierre Zarader), the intern will have the following tasks:

  • Setting up a new experimental bench based on a new ultrasound sensor and on simulations of transcranial ultrasound propagation,
  • Integration of the new ultrasonic sensor into the microrobot,
  • In vitro monitoring tests on the microrobot,
  • Comparison with the current localization system,
  • Participation in the first in vivo tests of the microrobot.

Skills

  • Theory and practice in ultrasound propagation,
  • Theory and practice in (micro)mechanics,
  • Writing and sharing in English,
  • Willingness to work in multiple research environments (robotics and medical imaging laboratory, start-up environment) and multiple fields (acoustics, robotics, biology, surgery),
  • Working independently,
  • Tropism for applied research.

You do not need to master all these concepts perfectly, but you do need to be willing to grasp and use them quickly.

References

  1. P. Zarader, Q. François, A. Coudert, B. Duplat, S. Haliyo, and O. Couture, ‘Proof of Concept of an Affordable, Compact and Transcranial Submillimeter Accurate Ultrasound-Based Tracking System’, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, pp. 1-11, 2023, doi: 10.1109/TBME.2023.3322302.
  2. François, Quentin, Arthur André, Bertrand Duplat, Sinan Haliyo, and Stéphane Régnier. “Tracking Systems for Intracranial Medical Devices: A Review.” MEDICAL DEVICES & SENSORS 2, no 2 (April 2019). https://doi.org/10.1002/mds3.10033.
  3. Couture, O., Hingot, V., Heiles, B., Muleki-Seya, P., & Tanter, M. (2018). Ultrasound localization microscopy and super-resolution: A state of the art. IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control, 65(8), 1304-1320.
  4. Chavignon, A., Hingot, V., Orset, C., Vivien, D., & Couture, O. (2022). 3D transcranial ultrasound localization microscopy for discrimination between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in early phase. Scientific reports, 12(1), 1-11.

Further information

Confidentiality: yes

Remuneration

Internship gratification

Contact

Olivier Couture – olivier.couture[at]sorbonne-universite.fr
Pierre Zarader – pierre[at]robeaute.com

Location

Laboratoire d’Imagerie Biomédicale (LIB) – 15 rue de l’École de Médecine 75006 Paris