Ultrasonic surgical needles for bone penetration
PhD Studentship
The School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting 3.5 year PhD project:
Ultrasonic surgical needles for bone penetration
Professor Margaret lucas
Project Description
The School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake an exciting 3.5-year PhD project entitled Ultrasonic surgical needles for bone penetration within the Ultrasonics Research Group in the Systems, Power & Energy Division.
A research activity currently exists at the University of Glasgow to deliver novel miniature ultrasonic bone cutting devices for minimal access orthopaedic surgical applications. This new EPSRC and industry funded project aims to deliver even more challenging configurations, in the form of ultrasonically excited needles, with capability to penetrate bone for targeted drug delivery. The devices will meet the needs of a variety of potential clinical applications where needle penetration into or through bone is required, to access difficult surgical sites.
Current research in the power ultrasonics group is already delivering a new generation of small surgical devices based on novel transducers and combining modes of vibration to improve penetration into hard materials. This project will investigate ultrasonic needle device configurations to optimise needle tip vibration responses. To maximise the effectiveness of these devices, a major challenge now exists to identify what ultrasonic parameters and device features are required in order to penetrate bone with low ultrasonic power. Device architectures, including the utilisation of novel transducer designs and needle geometries, will be studied through finite element analysis (Abaqus and PZFlex) and experimental characterisations. Device fabrication methods will also be considered.
As bone is a highly anisotropic material due to its high porosity and osteonal structure, studies will investigate bone penetration, specifically concentrating on the interaction of the needle and bone material in order to gain knowledge of penetration mechanisms and how they can be controlled. To enable this, experimental protocols will be developed using Matlab and Labview.
The successful candidate will have a good grounding in an engineering or cognate discipline, with knowledge of vibration analysis or ultrasonics, and will be expected to liaise effectively with the collaborating academic and industrial partners to exchange knowledge.
Funding
The studentship is supported by the EPSRC DTA, and it will cover home/EU tuition fees and provide a stipend of £13,590 per annum for 3.5 years. There will be an enhancement of the stipend from our industrial collaborator.
To be eligible for this funding, applicants must have ‘settled status’ in the United Kingdom and must have been ‘ordinarily resident’ for the past three years. EU nationals are generally eligible to receive a fees-only award.
It should be noted that other terms may also apply. For full details about eligibility please visit: www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTraining/StudentEligibility.htm
How to apply
Application for this scholarship is made by using the online system at the following link for admission as a postgraduate research student to the Graduate School of the College of Science and Engineering:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/applyonline/
It should be noted that this application is to gain admission to our PGR programme with the decision on this being based on your academic achievements, and an offer of admission may be sent out before a decision on this Scholarship is made. Candidates applying for this Scholarship will have their applications further vetted as to acceptability to this Scholarship and will most likely have an interview/discussion with the supervisor before any decision is made
Contacts
For an informal discussion or for further information on this project, potential applicants are encouraged to contact Professor Margaret Lucas, Margaret.Lucas@glasgow.ac.uk
Closing date – 30 June 2013