DrRobertDickinson

Current research interests include imaging in surgery, miniaturising medical devices, wireless monitoring, oxygen therapy.

Research Highlights include

• Work on interventional imaging includes development of world’s smallest ultrasound array for intra-coronary ultrasound imaging, now marketed by Volcano Therapeutics (for more information, click here)
• Development of ultrasound catheters to target intraluminal anastomosis (Conference paper Ultrasound)
• Development of endoscopic MR probes for use in pull-back mode, developed during a working visit to GE Coprorate Research Schenectady. A new project has started (funded by EPSRC) in collaboration with Department of Electrical Engineering to develop a MR probe on a biliary catheter.
• Development of a new method of delivering Long-Term Oxygen Therapy for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease by automatically adjusting oxygen flow according to blood oxygenation. A clinical trial of 12 patients so far shows reduced hypoxic time as predicted by simulation, and a spin-out company formed won the RAE ERA Foundation Entrepreneurs Award (see the article here).
• Development of a novel hand-held electro-surgical instrument consisting of a 2 x 2 array of RF electrodes which produces a zone of coagulation which seals blood vessels and prevents bleeding during surgical resection of liver tumours. Regulatory approvals were obtained to permit clinical use via a spin-out company. A clinical trial shows that blood loss was reduced by over 90%, only one patient required transfusion. The operation time was reduced and the mean postoperative stay halved. In excess of 3000 units have been sold to date internationally (read about this device here).
• The MagNET group has developed new methods to evaluate MR equipment, such as diffusion imaging, and acoustic noise. The scope of evaluations has widened to include clinical and economic cost-benefit (Report on Polestar Neurosurgery scanner due for publication soon). A new evaluation on Image guided radiotherapy has just started (read about these methods here).

EPSRC grant EP/E005888/1  (with Prof R Syms) 

NHS PASA evaluation contract