BrainMap

Mr. Adrian Pisla

Prof. Dr. Ing.

- UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Other affiliations

Research partner, and PhD supervisor - University of Stuttgart, University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf (Hochschule Düsseldorf), University of Nürtingen-Geislingen (HfWU) (Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen (HfWU)) (Germany)

Curriculum Vitae (15/05/2024)

Expertise & keywords

An innovative modular rehabilitation robot for the efficient therapy of lower limb motor deficit Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-3430 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://cester.utcluj.ro/Hope2Walk/home.html

Abstract:

Hope2Walk is implemented by a complementary team of specialists in the technical field (medical robotics, and bioengineering) and medical experts (neurology, neuro-surgery) which aim to provide a competent experimental model of a robotic system used for the rehabilitation of lower limb monoparesis of bedridden patients. This condition appears following a neurological event such as stroke, a trauma at the level of the spine or brain or following a surgical procedure on the nervous system. On a worldwide level there exist multiple robotic devices that perform physical therapy for gait rehabilitation, however there are no documented solutions for the lower limb spatial rehabilitation for bedridden patients, making the Hope2Walk solution novel at global level. The Hope2Walk team aims to develop an experimental model for the treatment of lower limb monoparesis in the form of a new product starting from a previously developed demonstrator RAISE, which consists of two coupled modules for the rehabilitation of hip, knee and ankle joints. This demonstrator will be further developed from a TRL3 into an integrated robotic system at TRL 4 delivering: (1) a robotic module for the hip and knee rehabilitation; (2) a robotic module for the ankle rehabilitation – the module should enable also its independent use for the specific treatment of foot drop; (3) an enhanced control system embedding assistive and task-based interactive exercises (as HRI modalities used in rehabilitation) and a functional electrical stimulation (FES) device; (4) robot mounted and patient attached sensors to provide on-site real-time data for patient monitoring, AI agents and FES integration; (5) an enhanced user-interface with embedded decision algorithms that will adapt the therapy based on real-time sensor data and enable the fast definition of personalized treatment exercises/plans. The enhanced solution will be validated in a succession of laboratory tests and pre-clinical trials.

Innovative safe robotic system for enhanced patient-centered treatment of liver cancer Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2021-2790 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://cester.utcluj.ro/Enhance/home.html

Abstract:

The ENHANCE project is implemented by an interdisciplinary team of engineers (specialists in medical robotics, advanced control, and programming) and medical experts (in hepatic surgery, hepatology, gastroenterology, and imaging), which aims to develop, test, and validate (in laboratory conditions) an innovative robotic system for liver cancer treatment (using brachytherapy or intratumoral chemotherapy). The project motivation starts from the fact that there are no available robotic systems (available in the scientific literature or in medical practice) designed for liver cancer treatment using intraoperatory ultrasound (IUS) as real-time image guidance. The starting point of ENHANCE is a demonstrator (developed up to TRL 3), namely the ProHep-LCT parallel robotic system, which consists of four modules (two parallel robotic modules, one needle insertion module, one IUS probe module), and a master-slave control. The first step in the project implementations focuses on the critical functionality analysis of ProHep-LCT correlated with the medical procedure. Then, a set of limitations (for each module) are identified, leading towards several optimizations. On the mechanical structure, the main areas of improvement target the workspace and positioning accuracy. The master-slave control will be developed with a modular architecture and optimized to ensure safety, stability, and ergonomics. A critical point is represented by the testing of the robotic system modules (in laboratory conditions), both independently and integrated into the complete solution for liver cancer treatment. The final project scope is to deliver a robotic-assisted solution validated at TRL 4, which can provide a new feasible solution in liver cancer management through further developments.

New frontiers in robotic assisted single port surgery: a novel robotic system with dexterous instruments Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-0572 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://cester.utcluj.ro/Challenge/index.html

Abstract:

Single port surgery, or single site laparoscopic surgery-SSLS, was introduced in healthcare to extend the boundaries of minimally invasive surgery. While the curative potential of SLSS is hindered by the drawbacks of the manual procedure, the use of a master – slave concept in which the surgeon manipulates dexterous haptic devices to control robotic arms which achieve the positioning of the instruments has the potential to eliminate all the disadvantages while maximizing the benefits.

In this context, Challenge aims to develop a completely new robotic system designed for SSLS and corresponding instruments that will open new frontiers in this procedure.

The main objective of the project is the development of a novel modular robotic system with dexterous instruments (both based on parallel structures) and advanced software (implemented on a master console) for the master-slave control of the robotic system and training modules for robotic SSLS. The Challenge robotic system will provide solutions to the current limitations of the SSLS and will ensure patient safety and procedure ergonomics, with applications in urology and abdominal surgery.

This challenging task is assumed by a team of engineers and expert surgeons (with experience in robotic surgery) who will provide a valuable solution that will remove the current barriers in the use of SSLS. The involvement of young researchers is a major priority, post-doctoral and PhD students being involved in all the project activities.

A seniors digital platform for knowledge transfer towards industrial companies Call name: P 3 - SP 3.5 - Programul "Active and Assisted Living" AAL, 2018
AAL-CP-AAL-2020-7-83-CP-WisdomOfAge 2021 - 2023

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: DIGITAL TWIN SRL

Project partners: DIGITAL TWIN SRL (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); Yumytech (CH); ARX iT (CH); Institute for Ageing Research (CH); Happy Aging (In4Care vzw) (BE)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://wisdomofage.eu/

Abstract:

WisdomOfAge addresses a well-known European challenge: an ageing population, which further leads to natural consequences: increasing retirement costs on the government side, an unexploited potential of knowledge and experience from the seniors on the industry side, and a feeling of uselessness on the seniors’ side. European governments are already taking steps towards reintegrating people aged over 50 into economic activity, but companies find it difficult to hire them due to various reasons. WisdomOfAge takes an important step towards unlocking this potential and putting it into a very good use by closing the gap between generations and bridging together both the primary end-users (senior experts), secondary end-users (organizations that support healthy and active ageing) along with industrial companies. Thus the senior experts can transfer their knowledge and experience towards companies in mentoring, coaching and advisory sessions hosted by WisdomOfAge.

Innovative robotic guided instruments for the treatment of malignant tumors Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-4375 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO); INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: https://cester.utcluj.ro/OnTarget/home.html

Abstract:

Nowadays, cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality among humans, and increased efforts are made by the scientific community to develop better and more efficient therapeutic methods. Since surgery alone does not present a therapeutic solution in most of the cases, other approaches, such as local percutaneous therapies, become more prominent. One challenge of the percutaneous techniques is the accurate delivery of the therapeutic agent, as in most cases the manual insertion introduces errors beyond the acceptable thresholds. OnTarget aims to develop technical solutions for the local treatment of cancers located in the toraco-abdominal area by exploiting the advantages of brachytherapy, radiofrequency ablation and chemotherapeutic agent targeted delivery. Two medical instruments which were conceptually validated up to TRL3 represent the starting point of the project implementation. OnTarget will further develop the two medical instruments, one for the percutaneous brachytherapy and the second instrument (where modularity will be implemented) for the percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and chemotherapeutic agent delivery. The OnTarget interdisciplinary team (composed of engineers and medical specialists) aims to develop an advanced adaptable control system for the medical instruments to facilitate an optimum fail-safe needle insertion procedure. The technical solution is used in combination with existing robotic structures, by mounting the medical instruments on the robot such that the medical instruments become the robot tool. The control of the instruments will be implemented either into the robotic system control or on a stand-alone electronic device (e.g. laptop, tablet). The technological maturity of TRL4 is validated in the later stages of the project by means of experimental trials where the medical experts will test and evaluate the technical solution based on a medically relevant oncologic protocol.

An innovative modular robotic system for the rehabilitation of brachial monoparesis Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-3022 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: https://cester.utcluj.ro/NeuroAssist/home.html

Abstract:

NeuroAssist project is implemented by a complementary team of specialists in the technical field (medical robotics and bioengineering) and medical experts (neurology, neuro-surgery) which aims to provide a competent experimental model of a robotic system used for the rehabilitation of brachial monoparesis. This condition, (the partial or total paralysis of the upper limb) appears following a neurological event such as stroke, a trauma at the level of the spine or brain or following a surgical procedure on the nervous system. On a worldwide level there exist several robotic devices that perform physical rehabilitation, however the up to date clinical trials revealed several limitations: inefficient human robot interaction, focus on the improvement of the motoric scores rather than on the patient capability to perform different activities, reduced patient feedback and very high costs. The NeuroAssist team aims to develop an experimental model for the treatment of brachial monoparesis in the form of a new product starting from three previously developed demonstrators which target each of the major joints of the upper limb: shoulder, elbow and wrist. In NeuroAssist, these demonstrators will be further developed from a TRL3 into an integrated robotic system at TRL 4. Special attention is given to the patient safety and treatment efficiency: (1) the three demonstrators will be analysed and optimized to provide efficient physical mobilisation of the limb with improved ergonomics, (2) a system of sensors will be integrated on both the robotic structure itself and on the patient body to provide real-time data, (3) an improved control system will be developed integrating sensors data, new functions and decisional algorithms, (4) the experimental model of NeuroAssist will be developed, tested and validated based on a medical protocol to provide efficient treatment for any form of brachial monoparesis.

ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SAFETY CABINET FOR COLLECTING SPECIMENS CONTAMINATED WITH AIRBORNE PATHOGENS, SAFE Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect de transfer la operatorul economic
PN-III-P2-2.1-PTE-2019-0160 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: ELECTRONIC APRIL APARATURA ELECTRONICA SPECIALA S.R.L.

Project partners: ELECTRONIC APRIL APARATURA ELECTRONICA SPECIALA S.R.L. (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD FILIALA INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PENTRU INSTRUMENTATIE ANALITICA CLUJ NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: https://aprilcj.ro/safe

Abstract:

The project proposes to develop a robotic-assisted cabinet for collecting biological samples/specimens with airborne pathogens that will ensure full safety against any biological contamination coming from inside or outside the cabinet, especially for people suspected with anthrax, tuberculosis or pulmonary anthracosis infections. The SAFE cabinet is an innovative product, unique in idea and realization, so far no similar product is produced/marketed on national/international level. The SAFE cabinet is a mechatronic device dedicated to the automatic handling of the patient's sputum under maximum safety conditions. The project started after identifying the need for such a product for TB hospitals and centers. The SAFE cabinet, developed by ELECTRONIC APRIL (by own funds), integrates the collecting technology components into the product. Preliminary tests were performed, the functionality of the concept and assembly was established and the functionality of the product was demonstrated, which was internally validated at laboratory level - TRL4. At the end of the project, the lab model will be validated and demonstrated on a real scale, by simulating the real operating conditions (TRL5) in which all the components (the actual cabin, the command and control systems, the robotic arm) are assembled in a configuration almost similar to the final application. Further development of the SAFE cabinet and its commercialization by ELECTRONIC APRIL will contribute to the TB morbidity and mortality decrease and, in particular, by limiting the spread of infection, disease and/or associated nosocomial infections. The business plan demonstrates the SAFE project necessity, opportunity and contribution to (1) the strengthening of cooperation between the public and private research environment, (2) the development of the company in the long term, (3) the increase of its competitiveness and profitability.

High accuracy innovative approach for the robotic assisted intraoperatory treatment of hepatic tumors based on imagistic-molecular diagnosis Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0221 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE MECANICA SOLIDELOR (RO); INSTITUTUL REGIONAL DE GASTROENTEROLOGIE - HEPATOLOGIE PROF. DR. OCTAVIAN FODOR CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: https://cester.utcluj.ro/improve/home

Abstract:

The IMPROVE project will be developed by a transdisciplinary group, which integrates the knowledge of multiple specialists from the technical field (such as mechanical engineers, computer science engineers and material sciences engineers), a team of medical doctors (surgeons, gastroenterologists, oncologists, and radiologists), and a team of chemical scientists. The IMPROVE group will develop an innovative solution for the treatment of the patients diagnosed with non resectable hepatic tumors, based on a novel robotic system, and an novel medical imaging diagnostic tool. The majority of the hepatic tumors are not resectable due to a variety of factors such as tumor placement, size, and the patient general condition. In order to deliver a better palliative care towards the patient, and a better quality of life, the IMPROVE project proposes an integrated system to deliver treatment in the form of brachytherapy or chemotherapy. The treatment will be delivered in a minimally invasive manner, guided by a robot (which delivers the treatment agent through needles), based with a non-invasive diagnostic method. The diagnosis stage consists of the development of “smart” image analysis algorithms which can detect and define some hepatic diseases such as cancers. The preplanning stage will define the treatment method as well as the needle trajectories. For the treatment delivery a robotic structure will be developed to help the clinicians in the minimally invasive (laparoscopic) in situ procedure. The treatment agent (brachytherapy of chemotherapy) will be precisely delivered within the tumor using specialized instruments (for needle insertion and delivery) guided by the robotic system. The IMPROVE team is composed out of experienced researchers whit excellent results in the medical field, and well based former collaborations. The group synergy represents a key factor in obtaining positive results in the survival outcome of the hepatic cancer patients.

Innovative development of Rehabilitation and Assistive Healthy Ageing Robotic Systems Call name:
-

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Mobilitate cercetător Adrian Pisla Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de mobilitate pentru cercetatori, 2019
PN-III-P1-1.1-MC-2019-2073 2019 - 2019

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

Robotic assisted prostate biopsy, a high accuracy innovative method Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-0647 2014 - 2017

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA BRASOV (RO); ELECTRONIC APRIL APARATURA ELECTRONICA SPECIALA S.R.L. (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU OPTOELECTRONICA INOE 2000 INCD FILIALA INSTITUTUL DE CERCETARI PENTRU INSTRUMENTATIE ANALITICA CLUJ NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://www.cester.utcluj.ro/robocore/index.html

Abstract:

Prostate cancer is the most widely spread form of cancer, generally affecting men of age over 45. Several studies showed that 80% of the men over 70 had different forms of prostate cancer, most of them not being aware of that.

As in any disease, early diagnosis allows simpler curative actions, less patient trauma, better life expectancy and quality for the patient. Nevertheless, the diagnosis for prostate cancer is carried in the same way as it was performed 50 years ago. It involves a 12-core, transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS). This technique is performed without knowing the exact 3D tumours location and it was proven that in 30% of the cases, it provides false-negative results. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables a better view of the prostate with clear tumour definition, but MRI guided biopsy can be achieved only with MRI compatible materials which make the procedure prohibitive. The current worldwide diagnosis technique for prostate cancer has some major drawbacks: low real-time image quality, blind biopsy and impossibility of registering the 3D location of the biopsy cores.

Early and correct diagnosis represents a critical priority and due to the current limitations it becomes the starting point of the ROBOCORE project. The consortium proposes the development of a system to achieve high accuracy ultrasound guided prostate biopsies through: ► the biopsy accuracy increase by the development of a robot capable to position the biopsy gun using the visual feedback from the TRUS probe, and ► the achievement of a software solution which performs the simulation, in virtual reality, of the prostate biopsy using MRI data.

The project aim is to develop a robotic system which combines the MRI capacity to identify malignant tissue and precisely define the biopsy targets with the accessibility and real-time capability of an ultrasound guided system. Using the virtual reality software the coordinates of the biopsy targets are identified, and using the robot the biopsy is performed with high accuracy. The system has two major components: ► a robot capable to perform the TRUS guided biopsy based on specific points of interest identified before, and ► an advanced software capable to perform the simulation in a virtual environment for the robotic assisted prostate biopsy.

Based on the defined aim and estimated results (Experimental Model of the robot capable of performing prostate biopsies + simulation software in virtual reality environment for the prostate biopsy + trained young scientists, 6 PhD students +patent +10 papers + 5 communications) ROBOCORE addresses the Domain 7–Innovative Materials, Processes and Products, and responds to the demands formulated in the research theme 7.3.2 Applied mechatronics; intelligent mechatronic products and systems.

The consortium is coordinated by the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca with renowned specialists in the field of parallel robots, and four institutional partners: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca with a team of urology doctors specialised in prostate cancer, University Transilvania of Brasov, which provides the software and virtual reality specialists, the Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation with know-how in the development of medical devices and a private company, Electronic April Cluj-Napoca, specialised in medical apparatus development and commercialization. It must be stated that all the consortium members have previous experience and successful achievements in the field of medical robotics.

The end-product of ROBOCORE is an innovative complex system, which aims to provide accurate diagnosis in early cancer stages, enabling the proper therapy identification and an active surveillance of the tumours evolution which reduces the patient discomfort, provides him the right treatment at the right time and also enables proper follow-up after each evaluation or therapy stage.

INSTRUCTOR OPERATION STATION DESIGNED FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS Call name:
CDI 95/29.11.2013 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA CLUJ-NAPOCA

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

Creative Alliance in Research and Education focused on Medical and Service Robotics Call name:
IZ74Z0_13736 -

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: LSRO EPFL

Project partners:

Affiliation:

Project website:

Abstract:

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator
List of research grants as partner team leader
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects