Needle Detection and Localization in Ultrasound Images based on Deep Learning

The technique of ultrasound-guided needle insertion is commonly employed in various clinical fields, including biopsy, anesthesia, brachytherapy, and ablation. However, the visibility of the needle in ultrasound (US) images remains a persistent challenge. To improve the guidance accuracy of needle insertion during interventions, it is crucial to...

Modelling and optimization of insertion maneuvers at Mars

Insertion maneuvers are used to move a spacecraft from an open orbit (parabolic or hyperbolic) into a closed orbit around a target body. These maneuvers are key components in any space mission considering orbiting a body for a large amount of time, for exploration or landing; the hyperbolic orbit will be the one that will be used to transfer...

The influence of rotation on the precision of needle end-point position in lateral direction for biopsy

Breast cancer is currently the most prevalent type of cancer. The concluding diagnosis can be obtained with an MRI-guided biopsy. However, due to respiratory movement and human error, the procedure can require multiple attempts, resulting in harmful consequences. To reach the target at the first attempt, the precision of the procedure should be...

The refittable ship: A method for modular design of a ship's power supply

Traditionally, ships are powered by fossil fuels in combustion engines, causing 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative installations have yet to prove their reliability and are currently not as cheap or technological ready. <br/>To enable ship-owners to prepare their ship for the future, but postpone their decision on which...

Ultra fast MRI acquisition at 7 Tesla: Implementation of Wave-CAIPI with a high efficiency head insert gradient coil

Magnetic Resonance Imaging is one of the most widely used imaging modalities nowadays and it performs especially well imaging human organs such as the brain and liver. One of its main limitations is the relatively long imaging times, to overcome this issue and speed up the data acquisition, several techniques such as Parallel Imaging or PI have...

Monitoring Electrode Array Tip Fold-over In Cochlear Implantation

In cochlear implantation surgery, the appropriate placement of the electrode array into the cochlea is vital. Suboptimal placement of the electrode array may lead to reduced hearing performance and speech recognition after the surgery. Currently, there are methods to confirm the electrode position post-operatively (e.g. through a CT scan), but...

The design of a single-insertion multiple specimen biopsy instrument: The development and evaluation of a novel core-needle biopsy device

Background: When a suspicious lesion is detected, a thorough examination is essential for the diagnostics of the lesion. Information about the nature and character of the lesion is crucial for the determination of the disease and an appropriate corresponding treatment plan. Taking a biopsy plays an important role in this examination. A biopsy is...

Needle puncture forces in liver blood vessels: Towards vein implantation in a liver phantom

Treatment of liver diseases is often done by means of interventional radiology and thereby needles are widely used. These needles are under constant development and therefore needle-tissue interaction data are necessary. The goal of this study is to provide data on needle forces during puncturing of liver blood vessels. These data can be used to...

Development and evaluation of a polyethylene knee insert with integrated wear sensors

Currently, measuring wear of the insert of knee implants can only be accurately done in vitro. There are yet no accurate in vivo techniques that can capture and deliver data in real time. Therefore, the main objective of the research reported in this thesis was to introduce and validate a polyethylene insert with integrated wear sensors into...

A breathing anthropomorphic liver phantom for interventional radiology: Design and evaluation

Liver cancer causes 700.000 deaths annually. To assess new devices and pre-clinical procedures for treatment, a safe test environment can be provided by a phantom. Phantoms act as a surrogate for certain physical properties of tissue. The purpose of this study is to design, construct and evaluate an anthropomorphic liver phantom, which simulates...

Critical Parameters in Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness Testing of Thermoplastic Composite Materials

The goal of the thesis (executed for Fokker Aerostructures) was to further the understanding of critical parameters in the DCB test method for thermoplastic composites. The influence of fiber bridging, specimen thickness, insert film thickness, crack length and crack opening rate are investigated by means of experimental DCB tests for...

Percutaneous measurement of tissue compliance

Abstract—Percutaneous needle insertion is a minimally invasive technique, in which intervention effectiveness depends on needle placement accuracy. Targeting specific areas is difficult as needle trajectory is influenced by the highly variable and unpredictable nature of soft tissue. Furthermore the physician receives very limited information,...

Forces in needle interventions: Measuring tip forces

Accurate positioning of the needle tip during insertion is essential to ensure a maximum effect of the treatment. Target error is a problem and a lot research fields aim to improve needle insertions. The possibility to measure cutting force and stiffness force separately from friction forces supports the development of new types of needles,...

Epidural Needle Insertion Simulator: A device for training resident anaesthesiologists

Epidural anaesthesia is a pain relief technique commonly performed on patients in labor. It requires insertion of a needle into patients back into the epidural space of the spine and inject anaesthetic. It is a blind procedure and anaesthesiologists rely only on the forces felt during needle insertion to determine the position of the needle tip....

The Dynamic Dial-a-Ride Problem with Time Windows in a Competitive Multi-Company Environment

Door-to-door transportation for elderly and disabled people is for many governments an important instrument to increase the mobility of this group of people. Many issues arise in the implementation of such a system, which is often modeled as the Dynamic Dial-a-Ride System with Time Windows (DDARPTW). One of those issues is that taxi companies...