Oncological Engineering:
A new concept in the treatment of bone metastases
Cancer prevalence in the UK is set to rise from 2 million in 2015 to 3.2 million by 2030. Metastases are the primary cause of mortality for many cancers.
Annually, 55,000 cases of bone cancer are diagnosed in the UK and of these 2/3rd patients will develop into metastatic bone disease
In the spine metastates can destroy bone in the vertebrae, weakening it and can cause significant spinal cord injury leading to paralysis.
A more patient-friendly approach is realised in OncoEng in which we predict which vertebrae with tumours are likely to fail in the future enabling informed decision on care.
Advanced computational modelling and imaging will be used to look at the growth of the tumour so that predictions of the strength of the vertebrae can be calculated a different points in time.
Custom implants requiring only key-hole surgery will be developed to support the weakened bone in order to prevent fracture, optimised to reduce impingement to the patients life through a lengthy recuperation period or additional pain.
Latest News
World Cancer Day
The Leeds Cancer Research Centre will be delivering a mini-conference as part of World Cancer Day on the 3 rd February (World Cancer Day is actually on 4th Feb). OncoEng is very supportive of the…
OncoEng Quarterly Meeting
Great OncoEng Quarterly get together last week. The Management Board Meeting in the morning was eagerly attended by all the researchers and academics. In the afternoon we were joined by Dr Sherron Furtado, Craig Gerrand, Sarah Astill and David Lunn to…
Research Challenge 2: Modelling Spinal Biomechanics
Research challenge 2 (RC2) is centred around the need for the development of an advanced spinal rigid-body modelling technique. This is required to determine the expected vertebral loads and motion across a range of daily…
Research Challenges: Development and Assessment of MII Build Technology
3D printing revolutionises medical device technology by allowing personalised devices to be created within a short period of time, and at lower costs than traditional manufacturing methods. OncoEng aims to utilise 3D printing to create…
MetUp UK: Darker Side of Pink Exhibition
Today I visited the #DarkerPink exhibition at the Danum Gallery and Museum in Doncaster. The presence of dark pink figures, listening to their stories as I stood in front of them, really brought home the…
OncoEng Kickoff Meeting
The 10th of June marked the beginning of OncoEng, in which academics, early-stage researchers, patient advocates, and representatives from invested companies met in Weetwood Hall, Leeds for the kick-off meeting. The day began with a…