Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

Bioengineering and Medical Imaging

Strategic research lines

BI 1. Multimodal Diagnostics:

  • Medical image’s capture and processing optimisation (TAC, NMR, PET, DTI)
  • Biomedical signals’ capture and processing improvement (ECG, EEG, EMG, Respiration, etc.)
  • Morphological and functional modelling of tissues and organs
  • Pre-operative and intra-operative planning as well as creation of virtual surgery programs

Imaging diagnosis is increasingly complemented by other types of diagnosis based on different biophysical elements such as: the combined use of different imaging techniques (CAT, MRI, PET, DTI, etc.), the prior treatment of the image (atlas, advanced segmenting and detection systems morphological co-registering etc.), very different types of signals (ECG, EEG, EMG, Respiration, etc.), as well as morphological and functional models derived from tissue and organ modelling.

The combination of these components would allow a more efficient, complete and rigorous diagnosis.

The objective of this line is therefore related to the combined analysis of all this information, promoting improvements in diagnosis systems, elaborating tools for aiding in making clinical decisions and encouraging pre- and inter-operatory planning systems, as well as simulation and control tools in virtual surgery.

This line is in turn complemented with others, such as Nanodiagnosis and Prostheses and Implants lines, in which similar or complementary techniques are used.

The SCIENTIFIC GOALS of this line are:

  • The design of new contrast agents to improve image acquisition, for both functional/metabolic imaging and morphological imaging of different kinds.
  • The integrated and scalable design of software platforms for image recording and quantification primarily in the cardiac and neurological fields.
  • The development of multimodal physiological signal interpretation system in cardiac, neurological and respiratory systems.
  • The development of realistic computational models for the simulation of multifunctional organs for customised therapies.
  • The development of integrated, multimodal and interactive tools for (online/offline) virtual surgery systems and robotic systems for rehabilitation.

BI 2. Intelligent Devices and Systems:

  • Creation of systems to monitor and control patients (sensoring, controlling and robotic systems)
  • Software applications to improve systems for patient diagnosis
  • E-health and M-health Systems

The introduction of more portable and efficient medical devices, affording a greater deal of autonomy from the clinical specialist (incorporating a certain degree of intelligence), would significantly increase the life quality. These devices include remote monitoring systems for high-risk patients, in conjunction with automatic telecommunication systems, automated drug delivery systems, even in a closed loop, controllably adaptable implants, among many other examples

This implantation would entail a greater independence of the patients which in turn would reduce the burden on healthcare personnel. Additionally, research results coming from this line would offer more thorough and continuous control of the patients, since the evolution of their health condition could be tracked and different variables could be simultaneously monitored.

In these years a new line has emerged within this research area and it is related to E-health systems, which is a term used for healthcare supported by electronic processes and communication as well as m-health which is supported by mobile phones and other portable devices. CIBER-BBN has included this line to its current Research Programme since research of several groups point to this area.

The SCIENTIFIC GOALS of this line are:

  • The design of micro-nano signal detection and monitoring devices that are both invasive and implemented on body surface.
  • The development of scalable software platforms for data management and decision support systems.
  • The development of portable healthcare systems for the management of chronic diseases or diseases associated with aging, which favour follow-up and doctor-patient interaction.

Projects


Attached Groups

See spanish website for furher information about research groups participating in this program.

Attached groups (Spanish)


Bioengineering Programme Contact/Manager

Theodora Tsapikouni

E-Mail: [email protected]

Telephone: (+34) 93 586 84 30