The Micro-Nano Innovation Lab ("mini lab") investigates multidisciplinary approaches to develop new intelligent sensing and robotic strategies in micro/nano scales.

Head of Group

Dr Jang Ah Kim

B414A Bessemer Building
South Kensington Campus

 

 

What we do

The Micro-Nano Innovation Lab ("mini lab") investigates multidisciplinary approaches to develop new intelligent sensing and robotic strategies in micro/nano scales. We study nanotechnology, light-matter interactions, micro-particle dynamics, microscale fluid dynamics, and bioengineering to reach our goal. The research involves the design and manufacture of micro/nano systems for diagnostics (e.g. infections, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases) and microscopic therapies/surgeries (e.g. localised drug delivery, novel minimally invasive procedures).

Why it is important?

Timely identification of illnesses, less intrusive interventions, and precise/personalised treatments in challenging areas within our bodies, like narrow blood vessels, are essential technologies for improved healthcare management. The foundation for empowering these technologies lies in the development of devices capable of sensitively detecting disruptions in microenvironments that impact normal physiology and of precisely addressing these issues via targeted drug delivery, surgery, etc. at the cellular and molecular levels (micro/nano scales). Understanding the pathophysiology and engineering of the designs and functionalities of such devices accordingly is, thus, vital to enhancing current medical technology. Also, this has the potential to drive the development of advanced medical micro-robots with integrated sensing and therapeutic capabilities, offering new opportunities for future advancements in healthcare.

How can it benefit patients?

Early detection of diseases followed by minimally invasive, targeted and personalised therapy can have evident advantages for patients in terms of prognosis, health management, and economic implications. First, it can reduce excessive physical and biochemical alterations to the microenvironments, e.g., scarring after resection, antimicrobial resistance after antibiotics administration, etc., offering a better prognosis with fewer side effects. Micro/nanodevices can also be engineered to be implantable, enabling long-term health monitoring and treatment. Finally, the localised and precise manner of the technology allows efficient planning of the optimal procedures and accurate dosage, resulting in reduced cost.

Meet the team

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Kassanos:2020:10.1109/MSMC.2019.2963455,
author = {Kassanos, P and Berthelot, M and Kim, JA and Rosa, BMG and Seichepine, F and Anastasova, S and Sodergren, MH and Leff, DR and Lo, B and Darzi, A and Yang, G-Z},
doi = {10.1109/MSMC.2019.2963455},
journal = {IEEE Systems Man and Cybernetics Magazine},
pages = {39--48},
title = {Smart sensing for surgery from tethered devices to wearables and implantables},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MSMC.2019.2963455},
volume = {6},
year = {2020}
}

RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB - Recent developments in wearable electronics have fueled research into new materials, sensors, and microelectronic technologies for the realization of devices that have increased functionality and performance. This is further enhanced by advances in fabr ication methods and printing techniques, stimulating research on implantables and the advancement of existing medical devices. This article provides an overview of new designs, embodiments, fabrication methods, instrumentation, and informatics as well as the challenges in developing and deploying such devices and clinical applications that can benefit from them. The need for and use of these technologies across the perioperative surgical-care pathway are highlighted, along with a vision for the future and how these tools can be adopted by potential end users and health-care systems.
AU - Kassanos,P
AU - Berthelot,M
AU - Kim,JA
AU - Rosa,BMG
AU - Seichepine,F
AU - Anastasova,S
AU - Sodergren,MH
AU - Leff,DR
AU - Lo,B
AU - Darzi,A
AU - Yang,G-Z
DO - 10.1109/MSMC.2019.2963455
EP - 48
PY - 2020///
SN - 2333-942X
SP - 39
TI - Smart sensing for surgery from tethered devices to wearables and implantables
T2 - IEEE Systems Man and Cybernetics Magazine
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MSMC.2019.2963455
UR - http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000555522900006&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/83618
VL - 6
ER -

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The Hamlyn Centre
Bessemer Building
South Kensington Campus
Imperial College
London, SW7 2AZ
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