In the first of a series of researcher profiles, Chris Payne explains what drew him to medical robotics and why he chose to join the Hamlyn Centre.

Researcher profile – Chris Payne

 From mechanical engineering to mechatronics in medicine, from snake robot to hand-held smart micro-manipulation instruments- Chris clearly loves Imperial. Since graduating from his four-year Mechanical Engineering course, he spent the last few years as a Research Assistant in the Hamlyn Centre and is now embarking on his PhD funded by the Wates Family Enterprise Trust.

 In the first of a series of researcher profiles, Chris explains what drew him to medical robotics and why he chose to join the Hamlyn Centre.

 “I originally got into medical robotics through my final year project that I completed through the Mechatronics in Medicine laboratory in the department of Mechanical Engineering. It focused on developing an ‘articulated probe’ – a tactile sensing device which can be used during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The device allowed the clinician to remotely palpate regions of the body that looked suspicious during an MRI scan.

 “The research field appeals to me because the novelty is in the application of the hardware. Of course, a PhD is a predominantly theoretical exercise but the field of medical robotics requires complex hardware to be developed in order for the theory to be tested. Developing the hardware can be time consuming and is not research in its own right but it is nonetheless very rewarding as I also enjoy design and manufacture.

 “The field allows me to take ownership of a whole project and develop everything from the very beginning right through to clinical application as opposed to working on a small part of a very big project – such as my experience was in the aerospace industry.

 "I was attracted to the Hamlyn Centre because of the fantastic multi-disciplinary team we have here, including surgeons, computer scientists and engineers. I’m one of the few mechanical engineers in the team so it is exciting to collaborate within a cross-disciplinary team. We’re fortunate to have great facilities at the Hamlyn Centre from rapid prototyping to micromachining, and there are also opportunities to be involved with the clinical evaluation of the equipment we have built and the chance to work on projects that may translate to commercial ventures. 

 “I joined in 2008 as a RA (research assistant) and predominantly worked on the design and the user interface of the i-Snake device. Initially the plan was that I would continue to be a RA but I was lucky enough to get a fellowship award from the Wates Family Enterprise Trust, an independent grant-making Family Trust. I’ll be working on hand-held surgical devices that can augment the surgeon’s abilities. I have already been involved in the development of a device that allows the surgeon to feel the tiny forces exerted during delicate surgery.

 “Medical robotics is also a satisfying field to work in because it is applied research and the direct benefits that can be offered to actual patients can be seen. Through my PhD, I’m hoping to develop my theoretical thinking, analytical skills and a scientific approach to experimentation. I’m also looking forward to writing some high-impact papers but I also hope to make use of my practical skills too.”