Proteins to Precision Robotics: Texas Researchers Partner To Break Ground in Cancer Care

Surgery Is a Team Sport

Pioneers of surgineering Jeff Siewerdsen, Ph.D., and Farshid Alambeigi, Ph.D., are working with leading surgeons such as Justin Bird, M.D., and biomaterials experts such as Maryam Tilton, Ph.D., to integrate computational models, patient-specific implants, and surgical robotics to shape a new standard of care.

"IG-RABIT is tackling challenges at the cutting edge of orthopedic cancer surgery," said Bird, professor of Orthopedic Oncology at UT MD Anderson. "Successful translation of these advances in surgical guidance, robotic assistance and patient-specific implants will have major benefits to patients."

The team aims to improve all ends of treatment. Drawing on UT MD Anderson's deep volume of tumor imaging and clinical data, Bird creates imaging models that chart the least invasive path of surgery. Tilton and others infuse a biomaterials perspective, assessing and designing implants that better withstand the body's mechanics and adapt to a patient's bones and tissues over time. Reimagining the surgery itself, Alambeigi and Siewerdsen work in different areas of surgineering, which places engineers in surgical workflows to enhance procedures, outcomes and patient safety.

With both patient and surgeon in mind, Alambeigi is designing a robotic device that follows the safer, less-invasive paths from Bird's imaging models. Guided by a surgeon, it inserts Tilton's anatomy-friendly implants with precision, and far less physical and mental strain.

At the same time, Siewerdsen has his eyes on the operating room. He's creating digital twins that account for each tweak and iteration in the project - simulations that mimic clinicians and patients in the OR and test outcomes of the procedure in different scenarios. His goal is to measure successful performance of the entire workflow so the team can translate the project in real-world clinical studies.

"Right now everything is manual," says Alambeigi, a core faculty member at Texas Robotics, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and director of the Advanced Robotic Technologies for Surgery Lab at UT. "Imagine how hard it is to draw a straight line. Surgeons are using ultrasonic blades and planning entire procedures in their head.

"This is a holistic solution beyond the day of surgery. From biomechanics to clinical workflow to robotic technologies and biomaterials, we're simulating everything together in parallel to increase the accuracy, safety and precision of these procedures."