- BIOENGINEERING-BIOMATERIALS

1.- Morbid obesity.

2.- Evaluation of intravascular stents.

3.- Virtual simulation, robotics, augmented reality, training devices and ergonomics in laparoscopic surgery.

4.- Medical Imaging (NMR, CT Scan and Fluoroscopy).

5.- Development and in vivo study of the behaviour of Biomaterials.

The application of new technology in the research carried out in the JUMISC , dates back to 1995, through research in surgical simulation, both physical and virtual. This has led to the development of various creation project databases of organs in 3D graphic modelling work in organ and virtual simulation tools with companies such as INDRA and GMV SA that have contributed to the creation of the Network Synergy (Thematic Networks, 2003), over five years to develop and validate the construction of a virtual surgical simulator and its implementation in the existing training models.

Likewise, the research developed in the JUMISC aims to generate the knowledge necessary to establish the design requirements of the instrumentation of laparoscopic surgery from the standpoint of ergonomics, and to develop conceptual designs of different types of tools that enhance the comfort and control of surgeons and improve their working conditions. The development of better surgical instruments will ensure greater efficiency and quality of interventions that will result in the patients’ enjoying an improved quality of life.

In addition, work on developing a preoperative laparoscopic browser through images obtained via computerised tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (NMR).

Therefore, research projects on new technologies developed in JUMISC focus on virtual reality, medical imaging, ergonomics and the design of the latest surgical instruments and equipment.

In the area of Biomaterials, studies developed by the JUMISC began with the use of biomaterials in the repair of an oesophageal hiatus in an experimental animal model, in the knowledge that the biomaterial, and therefore the prosthesis, offers better performance for this repair. This also serves in the development, adaptation and improvement of biomaterials and prosthetic devices for this repair.

Other projects carried out in the JUMISC, include studying the response of bone and dental implants, the function of Polymers for Biomedical Advanced Manufacturing and newly developed aortic prosthesis to assess the response of different bio Organics in animal models. The aortic prosthesis system is patent pending.

Among other investigations relating to biomaterials and bioengineering include electromodulation of the vagus nerve, a procedure aimed at the reduction in intake in patients with morbid obesity, through the introduction of an electronic microchip, whose prototype is being tested on animal models. In future it might be a new therapeutic option for obese patients, being reversible, less traumatic and involving a shorter operating time.

The experience in the use of biomaterials has also progressed to the urinary system of experimental animals. The development of new designs of metallic ureteral stents in the treatment of obstructive uropathy that rectify the migration and urothelial hyperplasia up the main line of investigation in recent years. Being another objective assessment of the damage caused by ureteric plastic prosthesis, by determining the time of urothelial minimal scarring and the reduction in exposure to these biomaterials.

At the JUMISC, pre-clinical tests have been carried out on the use of intracranial prostheses in the iliac or carotid artery, and similarly with other trials of nitinol prostheses in colon obstructions needed to develop an animal model of stenosis-colonic obstruction and its resolution via a stent.