Group
Medical Engineering Design Research Group
Unit(s) of assessment: General Engineering
Research theme(s): Health Innovation
School: School of Science and Technology
Welcome to MEDRG
The Medical Engineering Design Research Group (MEDRG) at Nottingham Trent University is an interdisciplinary group, which brings together a wide range of academics, clinicians, surgeons, healthcare companies and other medical professionals whose interests focus on medical engineering design across a wide range of research specialisms. The group also includes the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Engineering Laboratory (RISE) which is a state of the art facility dedicated to future robotics.
These include wearable technologies, additive and subtractive manufacturing for medical applications, biomimetics, surgical robotics, augmented/virtual/immersive technologies and environments, and investigative research related to the utilisation of ‘smart materials’ for medical and surgical applications.
Our focus
Robotics and Intelligent Systems Engineering Laboratory
A new and innovative state-of-the-art lab is dedicated to shaping the future of robotics and automation. Designed for the development, testing, and prototyping of cutting-edge technologies, it serves as an enabler for transformative solutions in both medical and industrial applications. A space where innovation meets possibility.
The research group seeks to address the changing needs of healthcare research, including:
- Autonomous robotics applications.
- Medical device development and additive manufacturing processes.
- Health management and rehabilitation - including mobile applications.
- Biomaterials - including dental, cardiovascular, ophthalmics and orthopaedics.
- Emergency medical care, systems and procedures.
The MEDRG research group also has separate research interests linked to improvements in process control using the latest technologies, this research is currently in collaboration with a global food and drinks company.
The MEDRG research group lead innovative research linked to the combined use of Computer Aided Design (CAD), printing systems and layer manufacturing techniques to produce medical devices which have a uniform composition.
We are looking to generate research income through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), NIHR i4i fund, EPSRC, MRC, Innovate U.K. and Welcome Trust.
Core services we offer include:
- Innovative device development for the medical / surgical industry.
- Medical / surgical robotics / corobotics.
- Production Process robotic systems.
- Rapid prototyping with SLA and FDM 3D printing standard, engineering, ceramic, medical and dental material capabilities.
- Multi-material 3D / 4D printing.
- Translation of medical technology for product manufacture.
- Fundamental and applied research on novel medical technologies.
- Use of Extended Reality Technologies for medical applications.
- Flexible electronics printing.
- Brain-computer interfaces (BCI).
- Hardware Interface Design and Development.
- User Interface and User Experience Design and Development, based on co-design principles.
- Materialise Mimics 3D image processing software for modelling human anatomy.
Our team
Click on each profile to explore the research, career highlights and specialised interests of our group members.
Contact us
Professor Philip Breedon
Email: philip.breedon@ntu.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 6424
Follow us on LinkedIn
Philip Breedon
Abdellatif Abdelgaied
Senior Lecturer
School of Science & Technology
Frederique Vanheusden
Senior Lecturer
School of Science & Technology
Kartikeya Walia
Senior Lecturer
Department of Engineering
Luke Siena
Senior Lecturer
School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Richard Bibb
Associate Dean for Research
Nottingham School of Art & Design
Ali Dostan
Senior Lecturer
School of Science & Technology
Prof Mamta Juneja
Research Partner
Nikki Sizer
Research Assistant
School of Science & Technology
Abraham Goodman
Research Assistant
School of Science & Technology
Molly Ogilvie
I am currently in my second year of a PhD at NTU. My research is based around humanoid robotics and focusses on incorporating cutting edge technology like reinforcement learning in order to bring them closer to practical applications. My PhD is part funded by PepsiCo International, and as a research group we are working with them to accelerate the development of humanoid robotics as an industry.
Daniel Shabanianalavi
PhD Candidate within the Medical Engineering and Design Research Group (MEDRG) at Nottingham Trent University. His research investigates various strategies for autonomous surgical platforms and robot assisted surgeries. His work specialises in the advancements to robotic spine surgeries.
Testing and Verification
- Sauter Force Measurement Devices & Motorised test stand for laboratory applications (Fully Calibrated)
- OS-300-2 Durometer & Test Stand for Shore “A” (Fully Calibrated)
- Access to testing equipment with the Engineering Building
Extended Reality — Headsets and Equipment
- Augmented Reality Headsets including: Vuzix Blade (AR) Smart Glasses, Microsoft HoloLens 1 & 2
- VR Headsets Including: Oculus Rifts DK2 and CV1, HTC VIVE Pro, Lenovo Explorer, FOVE VR Eye Tracking Headset
- Mixed Reality Headset Assortment of Mobile VR Headsets
- Industrial Software: SolidWorks, Adobe Suite, Ansys, AutoDesk Suite, 3Ds Max, Unity, Visual Components, Keyshot
Cyberith Virtualizer Virtual Reality Treadmill - HP Sprout 3D table- top Scanner
Medical Facilities
- Eschmann T20 m+ Operating Theatre Table
- Simbodies – Adult Male
- Working with and supporting the Medical Technology Innovation Facility (MTIF) - Including the Steris Integrated Theatre Suite
- Working with the Health and Allied Professions Centre - Including VR suite, Sim Bodies and Wards
Selected Partners and Collaborators
The number of partners addresses NTU’s research strategy by focusing research and is external facing, with the potential to provide high quality outputs. The PhD experience is significantly enhanced by providing real world, high impact research projects to potential students.
- Dr Moslem Abdelghafar, Senior Clinical fellow in cardiothoracic surgery, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
- Dr James Armstrong, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist - Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
- Prof Holly Morris, Consultant, Pulvertaft Hand Surgery Centre, University Hospitals Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
- Mr Antony Bateman Consultant Trauma, Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon - University Hospitals Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
- Dr Nigel Bedforth, Consultant Anaesthetist and Honorary Associate Professor – Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
- Dr Martin Beed, Consultant (AICU), Nottingham University Hospitals NUH Trust.
- Professor Bronek Boszczyk, (Visiting Professor), Chefarzt Wirbelsäulenchirurgie, Orthopädische Kinderklinik Aschau.
- Dr Bill Byrom, Vice President of Product Strategy and Innovation - Signant Health.
- Dr David Hewson, Consultant Anaesthetist and Honorary Assistant Professor – Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
- Dr Shahnaz Jamil-Copley, Consultant cardiologist, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
- Dr Prashant Jindal - Professor, UIET, (Panjab University).
- Mr Rory O Connor, Registrar in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
- John Pacey-Lowrie, Consultant Ocularist - Jersey Ocular Prosthetics.
- Dr Ira Pande, Consultant Rheumatologist, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
- Dr Anna Selby, Research and Postgraduate Manager, Pulvertaft Hand Centre Centre, University Hospitals Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
- Mr Jason Watson, Consultant Maxillofacial Prosthetist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
- Mr Steve Brooks, International Director of Automation, PepsiCo
Group Projects
Steerable Bougie
This project focuses on the development of a novel “Steerable Bougie” that will improve the speed and safety of endotracheal intubation in anaesthesia and critical care.
Mixed Reality in Surgery
A project exploring how AR could be used in surgical visualisation and planning. Allowing surgeons to preview the patient’s anatomy prior to surgery for procedure planning and creating guides for insert implants.
Breakaway Chest Drain
A breakaway chest drain device designed reduce the accidental displacement of chest drains, reduce discomfort and time spent in hospital and reducing cost to the NHS.
Scolibot
A prototype Co-robotic spinal surgery system with a continuous contact datum to perform surgery with pinpoint accuracy. Using two robots, one using a surgical drill and the other robot providing a live datum point, the system will drill accurately based on any movement of the patient.
Autonomous Robotic Mobile System (ARMS)
Surgical instrument delivery and retrieval, from operating theatre suites using Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
Patient Maintained Propofol Sedation
The project improves patient sedation in awake surgery through self- administered modification of infusion with anaesthetist supervision.
Closed Loop Monitoring System for use in Surgery
Design of a closed loop system that will monitor and alleviate pressure injuries in real time during the intra-operative period that allows clinicians to see the development of pressure and prevent localised damage to the skin and/ or underlying tissue.
Menstrual Blood Donation for Cell Therapy
This project focuses on developing a suitable method of collecting donated menstrual blood, from which stem cells can be extracted and used in treatment of chronic non-communicable and degenerative diseases.
Industry 4.0-Ready Mobile Manipulator
This project focuses on developing an intelligent robotic manipulation system with the capability of task variability through the use of tool changers and the addition of a 7th axis to enhance the co-robot's reachability.
Other group projects
PepsiCo Europe & Global - AIV Integration Project - Visual Components and RoboDK software
Research and development of research outputs related to the factory implementation of Automated Guided Vehicles. Components and RoboDK software is being used for simulation and offline programming of industrial robots.
Wearable Headsets in Spinal Surgery - Vuzix: Augmented Reality (AR) Smart Glasses
This project focuses on improving the efficiency of the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy neurosurgical procedure through the use of wearable headsets.
Responsive Ocular Prosthetics
A research project into the design and development of an adaptive iris ocular implant and focus on the utilisation of smart materials to provide a responsive ocular prosthetic.
EMOTI (Mobile Emotion Tracking Depression Project)
Emotion tracking mobile platform for the monitoring and measurement of depression through the assessment of emotion change and engagement.
Leveraging Sensor-Based Data with Children in Clinic: Domain Capability and Limitation for a Diagnostic Internet of Medical Things
The purpose of this project is to explore and develop an IoMT toy with the intended use for use in child development clinics, to capture child interaction with objects for diagnostic purposes.
Objective Measurement of Tremor Symptom In Parkinson’s Disease Remotely And Within Clinic
This project focuses on the development of potential cost-effective, reliable, responsiveness and valid solutions to the measurement of tremor that could be used by a patient, with or without the help of a caregiver.