CART
Research in Computer Aided Radiotherapy is focused on 2D-3D-4D medical imaging, methods for automatic structures delineation (segmentation), rigid and elastic image registration for planning and on the integration between in-room imaging and technologies for organ motion management, patient positioning, treatment verification and tumor localization in image-guided radiotherapy, as photon and particle therapy (proton and carbon ion therapy).
Specific research topics are:
- Time-resolved robust treatment planning and radiation dose delivery for the treatment of moving organs (Organ Motion Management).
- Methods for treatment personalization and adaptation are developed and tested relying on Multi-parametric Imaging and clinical-related information and advanced modelling tools.
- Design, development and clinical testing of robotic technologies for in-room patient imaging (In-room Systems) and 2D-3D, 3D-3D image registration are part of the activities of the group in Computer Aided Radiotherapy.
- Validation Strategies for testing and benchmarking of computer-aided solutions.
A strategic collaboration exists with the National Centre of Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO, Pavia, Italy) in the frame of a several year ongoing project which led to the design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and clinical use of a customized integrated system for patient positioning in protontherapy and carbon-ion therapy, including optical and image-based patient position verification.
CAS
Research in Computer Aided Surgery is focused on modeling of anatomo-pathological structures from volumetric images (CT, MRI) to provide decision support tools in surgical planning and navigation.
Latest developments in the fields of Radiomics and Artificial Intelligence are currently under investigation in the framework of a project for lung cancer screening in collaboration with the Istituto Europeo di Oncologia (Milano, Italy). This project aims at finding imaging features which allow detecting lung nodules and predicting their evolution along with defining the optimal time for surgery.
The group has also experience in orthopedic surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery with a particular focus on the autologous fat grafting technique for prosthetic-free breast reconstruction and deformities correction. Reserch topics on this include:
- modeling of anatomical structures from volumetric images
- range laser scanner for breast 3D surface modeling
- microrobots for minimal invasive surgery and NOTES
