Institute and Center

Research Field:

1. Design and simulation of minimally invasive medical apparatus and instruments.

Structure design and manufacturing of miniature precision apparatus (including stenting, catheter, and surgical instruments): The design process of parts is accelerated by using 3D software designing platform. With the help of software simulation function, quality standard can be improved through analyzing the rationality of the design before the components are manufactured.

Dynamics simulation, finite element analysis and optimization of minimally invasive devices: Based on flexible body dynamics, multibody dynamics theory, and by using virtual prototype technology to simulate the mechanical properties, and finite element analysis, the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of various structures are analyzed under specific load conditions to explore the distribution of its corresponding structure field, electric field, and the temperature filed. By analyzing the rationality of structural design, the optimization of the structure of design can be achieved.

Human factors engineering in designing minimally invasive instruments: When product models are made, tests are carried out to evaluate its performances in terms of using environment, range of application, ease of operation, user-friendliness, minimum fatigue damage, etc. so as to predict problems that may occur when the product is being used. The reliability and feasibility of the human-machine-environment can be confirmed further.

2. Technology of targeting delivery and precise control of energy.

Detecting techniques of bioelectrical impedance and temperature adaption: The application of electrosurgical knife with accurate adaptive power control can improve the tissue cutting effect, reduce the thermal damage to the tissues and organs, shorten the operation time, and ensure the security of minimally invasive surgeries. The detection technique amplifies self-adaptability of the signal through automatically measuring the contact resistance of electronic scalpel polar and skin tissue. The resistance, as the feedback measurement, therefore automatically controls the output power and satisfies the demand for outputting the exact power when applied in different body tissues.

In the application of high-frequency surgery apparatus, when the temperature for treating tissue is too high, i.e. the temperature detested in the target tissue region is over 120ºC, it is most likely to carbonize the tissue and produce smelly smog. Adaptive detection of temperature can detect the real-time temperature at the target region and cut off the energy output when the temperature exceeds the safety limit.

3. R& D of modern precision medical devices and testing.

On the basis of new technologies and materials of machinery, electronics, optics, biology, computers, and sensors, we are undertaking research on designing modern precision medical devices that embody the integration of medical science and engineering, and mechanical-electrical integration, testing and evaluating medical devices, product quality accreditation service, electromagnetic compatibility standards making and testing, supervision and management of medical devices, clinical engineering, etc. It plays an important role in improving the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment, and optimizing health care services.

Director of the Center: Chang Zhaohua

Team members: Chang Zhaohua, Liu Baolin, Song Chengli, Cui Haipo, Yan Shiju, Zhou Yu, Mao Lin.

Contact: 55272107 (Song Chengli)

1. Flexible Cryoprobe

This project focuses on the following four aspects:

(1) Mechanism of cryotherapy: In the early stage of freezing, when the tissue temperature is lowered to -4 °C ~ -21 °C, extracellular ice crystals form, causing the concentration of extracellular solute to increase. In a hypertonic environment, intracellular water goes outside of the cell, causing dehydration inside the cell. Cells that have lost moisture become shrunk, and cell membranes and organelles are damaged. When the temperature is further lowered to -21 ° C to -175 ° C, ice crystals are formed in the cells, and irreversible damages are caused to the organelles such as the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, and consequently the cell membrane is damaged, eventually leading to cell death.

(2) Therapeutic mechanism of rewarming: During the rewarming (reheating) process, the small ice crystals in the cells recrystallize or integrate with each other to form large ice crystals, which have a stronger destructive effect on the cells; the extracellular space becomes a hypotonic state, and the water re-entering the cell will make the cells swell and cause damage to the cell membrane.

(3) Microvascular destruction: Freezing causes vasoconstriction, and blood flow slows down. When ice crystals form, blood flow stops. After rewarming, platelets will aggregate, causing microthrombus formation, thus blood flow is blocked and tissues will suffer from ischemia and hypoxia, causing cell death.

(4) Immunoregulatory effect: When repeatedly frozen and thawed, the tumor tissue cells are ruptured, and the cell membrane is dissolved, thereby promoting the release of antigen in the masked state and stimulating the body to develop immunity. The necrosis of tumor cells stops the secretion of antigens normally secreted by the tumor, relieves the tumor from immunosuppressive state, and improves the ability of anti-tumor immunity.

2. Cryoballoon (Cryoplasty)

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmia diseases in clinic. Its high incidence rate and great harm have seriously affected human health and quality of life. In recent years, a cryoballoon catheter ablation technique has been applied for cryoablation of atrial fibrillation. This method is simple in operation and has few side effects, and is popular among medical workers. At present, there are still some problems to be solved in the cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation. For example, complications, like radial nerve palsy may occur during surgery, but many doctors believe that such short-term complications will not affect the effectiveness of the balloon. However, the technical requirements for manufacturing either a cryoballoon machine or a balloon catheter are relatively high. Currently, only Medtronic's products are clinically applied worldwide. This project is to develop a domestically produced crynoballoon product to solve the problems encountered in the existing products on the market.

3. Manufacturing of precision amorphous alloy minimally invasive medical devices

Taking advantage of the excellent manufacturing performance and processing technology of amorphous alloys and with the support of theoretical research and experimental verification, this project aims at optimizing the rough/finish machining and its processing strategies for 3 typical zircon-based amorphous medical instruments such as ultra-sharp stainless minimally invasive scalpels, minimally invasive vascular clamps, and minimally invasive suture clamps by analyzing the relationship between surface integrity and biocompatibility of the work-piece under various process conditions, and controlling the processing temperature and processing stress in view of the structure, size, and precision. Based on minimally invasive surgery, biomechanics and advanced test analysis methods, and vitro surgery simulation experiments, the above three minimally invasive surgical instruments are optimized.

4. Intracranial stent graft system

At present, the main methods for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms include surgery and endovascular intervention. Endovascular intervention can be divided further into stent-assisted coil embolization and tumor-bearing artery revascularization. The pre-developed intracranial stent graft system of this project adopts the concept of tumor-bearing arterial revascularization, which can “block once and effectively isolate” intracranial aneurysms, and keep the tumor-bearing artery unblocked to achieve the purpose of treating aneurysms.

1.      Development and industrialization of key technologies for minimally invasive treatment of aortic diseases, First Prize of Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award by Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, 2016, Chang Zhaohua.

2.      Industrialization platform of minimally invasive intervention therapy and key technology of implanted medical devices, Second Prize of National Scientific and Technological Progress Award by the State Council, 2015, Chang Zhaohua.

3.      A key technology for the design and manufacture of drug-eluting coronary stents, Second Prize of National Science and Technology Progress by the State Council, 2006, Chang Zhaohua.

4.      Key Technology and Industrialization of Minimally Invasive Surgery Medical Devices, Second Prize of China Machinery Industry Federation Science & Technology Progress Award, Song Chengli 2015.

5.      Key Technology and Industrialization of Minimally Invasive Surgery Medical Devices, Third Prize of Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award, Song Chengli 2015.

6.      R&D, process optimization and industrialization of pharmaceutical and human living cell freeze-drying equipment, Second Prize of China Machinery Industry Science and Technology, 2013, Liu Baolin.

7.      R&D, process optimization and industrialization of pharmaceutical and human living cell freeze-drying equipment, Third Prize of Shanghai Technological Invention Award, Liu Baolin 2013.

8.      Chinese Association of Refrigeration for Science and Technology Award --- Youth Award: Liu Baolin, 2008.

9.      Cryopreservation and freeze-drying technology of human cell tissue, etc., Second Prize of Science and Technology Progress Award of Chinese Association Refrigeration, 2007, Liu Baolin.

10.   PTCA balloon dilating catheter and coronary stent (including drug stent), First Prize of Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award by Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, 2004, Chang Zhaohua.

11.   Nickel-titanium shape memory alloy stapler research, a Technical Progress Award by European Society for Endoscopic Surgery, 2004, Barcelona. Song C. (Song Chengli).

12.   Biomechanical study of minimally invasive surgery for laparoscopic surgery, Nomination Award for Clinical Biomechanics by International Society of Biomechanics, 2003. Song C. (Song Chengli), A. Cuschieri.

13.   Laparoscopic biomechanical research, Best Poster Award by European Society for Endoscopic Surgery, 2003, UK. Song C. (Song Chengli).