Development of Advanced Techniques for Emergency Robotic Catheterization

The Robot Assisted Surgery (RAS) group at the department of Mechanical Engineering of KU Leuven is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research group focusing on surgical robotics, medical devices, haptics, virtual and augmented reality. The group has links with micro-precision manufacturing, mechanical design, robotics, smart instrumentation and biomedical research groups in the department of mechanical engineering. Over the years (RAS was founded in 2001 by Prof. H. Van Brussel), the group has collected a unique research infrastructure. The group maintains tight and multiple collaborations with UZ Leuven, the largest (university) hospital in Belgium, which is located at 10 minutes ride (bicycle) of the department. The group's purpose is to develop innovative solutions addressing real surgical needs and to verify and validate these developments in realistic settings. RAS is highly involved in various national and international collaborations both as partner and as coordinator of EU-funded projects.

Project

An increasing number of medical interventions are performed using catheter-based techniques, offering major benefits to patients, including shorter hospital stays, reduced invasiveness, and fewer surgical scars. However, these procedures often rely on fluoroscopic X-ray imaging, exposing clinicians to ionizing radiation during prolonged interventions. To reduce this occupational exposure, clinicians typically wear heavy lead aprons, which can impose a substantial ergonomic burden and contribute to long-term musculoskeletal problems. Moreover, fluoroscopic imaging provides limited three-dimensional information, making the navigation of complex vascular anatomy challenging. These limitations have stimulated the development of robotic catheterization systems that allow clinicians to operate from a distance, outside the main X-ray field. Yet, current robotic solutions are not sufficiently optimized for time-critical and highly complex emergency procedures, such as mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke. Mechanical thrombectomy requires exceptional expertise to navigate multiple guidewires and catheters through intricate vascular anatomy in a coordinated, precise, and atraumatic manner. This PhD will develop advanced robotic catheterization technologies, integrating novel sensing, control, and instrument coordination strategies. The research will focus on enabling fast, safe, and reliable navigation of multiple instruments under the demanding constraints of emergency intervention. Ultimately, the project aims to establish a new generation of robotic catheterization systems that reduce radiation and operator burden while improving the safety, reliability, and accessibility of complex life-saving interventions.

Profile

• are fluent in English;
• hold a Master’s degree in engineering or computer science, obtained with distinction ( cum laude ) or equivalent excellent academic results, in a relevant field such as mechatronics, robotics, control engineering, mechanical engineering, deep learning, medical imaging, or a related discipline. The degree and academic record should meet the admission requirements for the PhD programme at the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School;
• are ambitious and driven, while being, above all, an effective team player;
• have demonstrated strong practical problem-solving skills;
• are highly motivated, capable of working independently, and able to think critically.

Offer

• a fully-funded PhD position (typically a PhD is 4 years);
• exposure to academic tasks through teaching assistant (capped to 10% of the
  
  working hours
  );
• embedding in a highly international state-of-the-art research environment in a dynamic team with an emphasis towards valorisation and clinical validation;
• involvement/link to EiC PROMPT project.

Note that the PhD salary in Belgium is similar or higher than the salary of a starting engineer in industry.

Research group

EiC project PROMPT

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