Interships

5/6 months M2 internship: Development of a concentric tube continuous robot prototype and characterization of its geometrical behavior

Continuum robots are an opportunity to design systems with a high degree of mobility, a small size, and operating with flexibility. Thanks to such characteristics, these systems are suitable to develop new human-machine interactions, especially for minimally invasive medical procedures. One of the most promising designs is the Concentric Tubes Robot (CTR) due to its high capacity of miniaturization. In the PhD thesis of Guillaume Lods, we work on the direct geometrical model of these robots.

The objective of this internship is to evaluate the mechanical model using an experimental setup in order to verify the assumptions made during the theoretical development :
- Conduct a literature review on the manufacturing and actuation of concentric tube robot
- Propose an experimental bench design including a CTR as well as solutions for the acquisition of the real shape of the robot
- Build the whole system (mechanical, control and acquisition)
- Carry out a characterization of the direct geometric model using the acquired measurements

In order to fully respond to these challenges, some skills are expected for the students applying to this offer :
- Demonstrate interest for robotics research
- Strong skills in mechanical CAD and mechatronics
- Some background in 3D printing, realization of robotic systems, and image processing will be appreciated but is not a requirement

For more information, please read the attached documents : French version or English version.

Supervisor: Guillaume LODS Contact
Place: ICube @IHU Strasbourg (RDH).

5/6 months M2 internship: Registration of biomechanical models with ultrasound images (RADIUS project)

Image-guided percutaneous methods have been progressively recognized as an efficient alternative for treating Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Non-invasive imaging techniques are required to control the needle's placement efficiently. The most spread imaging modality is Ultrasounds (US). This project aims at developing a novel solution for needle steering using intra-operative US images and non-rigid registration of a biomechanical model. We are looking for a trainee for a period of 5 to 6 months (between February and August 2023), level Master 2 or engineering school around the medical and surgical simulation for the insertion of needles guided by the image. This internship will concern the registration of the FE model. The biomechanical models will be used to extrapolate the 3D displacement of the volume, even where no imaging data are available. Such an approach can then be used to display with Augmented Reality (AR) 3D information of the organ on top of medical images and automatic needle steering. For this purpose, we will develop solutions to localize the probe and the US image's plane with an external infrared camera system (Optitrack).

Profile required: Very good level of programming in C++ / Good knowledge of image registration and biomechanical simulation / Experience in SOFA is a plus. Supervision: Dr. Hadrien Courtecuisse (CR CNRS) / Dr. Simon Chatelin (CR CNRS), Location: ICube (RDH and MLMS teams), civil hospital site (IHU and Clovis Vincent). Contact Click Here for More details

CAMMA group: Computational Analysis and Modeling of Medical Activities

We are looking for motivated and talented students with knowledge in computer vision and/or machine learning who can contribute to the development of our computer vision system for the operating room. Please feel free to contact Nicolas Padoy if you are interested to do your master's thesis or an internship with us (funding of ~500Euros/month will be provided during 4 to 6 months). The successful candidates will be part of a dynamic and international research group hosted within IHU Strasbourg , at the University Hospital of Strasbourg. They will thereby have direct contact with clinicians, industrial partners and also have access to an exceptional research environment. The CAMMA project is supported by the laboratory of excellence CAMI, the IdEx Unistra and IHU Strasbourg.