BrainMap

Mr. Costin Teodor Streba

MD PhD MSc

Professor - UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA

Web of Science ResearcherID: C-4196-2011

Curriculum Vitae (28/03/2024)

Expertise & keywords

INNOVATIVE ENDONAVIGATION ROBOTIC SYSTEM Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-2449 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA (RO); CARDIOMED SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA (RO)

Project website: http://navicad.ro/endoro

Abstract:

The goal of this project is to develop a robotic and surgical navigation solution (ENDORO) for increased precision and accuracy of early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, to increase success rate, decrease patient radiation and stress exposure, and potentially reduce the procedure cost.

ENDORO is an innovative, complex surgical navigation and robotic platform which will contain a planning and navigation software named IMAGINE, a special designed biopsy catheter and the SAR robot (smart assistance robot) that can insert and guide the catheter to reach a specific target in vascular system or pulmonary airways.

During the project activities we propose to develop and test candidates for ENDORO working prototypes in a limited laboratory model (TRL3), and demonstrate proof-of-concept and safety of candidate devices/systems in defined laboratory models (TRL4).

The final prototype developed during this project will follow a series of robust pre-clinical testing on two high-fidelity phantoms specially developed for this purpose: a pulsatile phantom for endovascular procedures and a breathing lung phantom for peripheral lung biopsy procedures. The project involves interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary scientific goals pursued by a critical mass of researchers: medical doctors, physicists, IT and biomedical engineers that will address several inter-twined objectives and tasks leading to the ENDORO functional prototype that will be patented and exploited commercially by the enterprise partner.

Innovative platform for diagnosis, staging and prognosis of liver malignancies Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-1474 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO)

Project website: http://www.umfcv.ro/34-te

Abstract:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), primary malignant tumor of the liver, is currently second in terms of mortality and fifth in incidence in the general population. Accurate pathological diagnosis, especially in early stages, is difficult even for an expert pathologist. Novel diagnostic and prognostic markers have recently been introduced; however, their clinical significance is still under debate. Recurrence after surgery is one of the main issues with modern surgical procedures. Probe based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a new imaging modality that enables imaging of living tissue at cellular level.

Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems provide integrative solutions for the diagnosis of malignancies. Deep Neural Networks (DNN) can learn from images without going through the segmentation and feature extraction steps, and thus introducing less noise in the final result.

We aim to test an intra-operatory solution based on pCLE for assessment of liver tumor resection interventions (resection margin, microvessel invasion, existing microsatellites), in conjunction with a panel of fluoro-labeled antibodies for rapid on-site evaluation of the resected tumor to determine tumor subtype, finding novel markers and targets for subsequent systemic therapy. Finally, we aim to develop an automated diagnostic system based on convoluted neural networks (CNNs) to help clinicians interpret in real time the images provided by the pCLE system.

All human protocols have ethical approval. All methods and results will be validated against gold standard biomarkers, imaging methods and human interpretation, then compared to the final diagnosis or confirmed during follow-up. Statistical validation by sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy tests will be compared to standards. Results will be disseminated through ISI-indexed papers and congress attendance. The CNN and imaging system will be the main deliverable of the project.

Bioactive nanostructures for innovative therapeutic strategies Call name: P 1 - SP 1.2 - Proiecte complexe realizate in consorții CDI
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0749 2018 - 2021

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "CAROL DAVILA" (RO); INSTITUTUL DE BIOLOGIE SI PATOLOGIE CELULARA ,,NICOLAE SIMIONESCU'' (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO)

Project website: http://umfcv.ro/45pccdi

Abstract:

The project "Bioactive nanostructures for innovating therapeutical strategies" is a complex project that will be performed by the consortium: University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova (UMF-CV), Politehnica University of Bucharest (UPB), University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Bucharest (UMF-B) and the Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology - Bucharest (IBPC).

The project is included in the National Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 2014-2020, approaching an area of great scientific interest at worldwide level, ”advanced eco-nanotechnologies and materials”, with major implications in medicine.

The project proposes to synthesize, test (on microbial cultures with reference germs, on human cells and on laboratory animals), the metallic non-particle (Ag) and metal-oxydic (ZnO, CuO, Fe3O4) effects, non/functionalized with biologically synthesis active molecules and isolated from natural sources, in order to obtain bioactive nanostructured materials.

The research institutions will play complementary parts:

-UPB will perform a physical-chemical synthesis and characterization of the nanoparticle types;

-UMF-CV will evaluate the anti-microbial effects on culture environments with reference germs; it will evaluate the potential toxic effects of the nanoparticles; it will identify the metabolic changes induced by nanoparticles, the distribution, release and permanence of the nanoparticles in cells and organs;

-UMF-B will test the efficiency of nanoparticles and nanostructured bandages on skin burns in animals;

-IBPC will evaluate the (non)functionalized nanoparticle effects in cell cultures (human keratinocytes and fibroblasts).

The project is structured in a logical order of stages and activities, performed by all partners. The project implementation will lead to the complete performance of the ”result indicators”: 16 new work places, request for 3 new scientific licences, publishing of 10 ISI papers; creating at least 3 types of nanostructured bandages.

Development of hepatic and pancreatic tumor library for advanced training, medical diagnostic and treatment Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-1069 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO)

Project website: http://umfcv.ro/pn-iii-p1-11-te-2016-1069

Abstract:

Novel diagnostic protocols and methods are nowdays of upmost importance in the medical field. Differentiating between different types of hepatic and pancreatic tumors is extremely relevant, as hepatoceullar carcinoma and pancreatic carcinoma are some of the most aggresive cancer.

The He-Pa-Library project proposal tries to introduce a new revolutionary and interactive medical procedure with the help of a new high fidelity 3D model tissue reproduction for training, diagnosis and preoperative assessment of liver and pancreatic lesions. Combining Elastography information with three-dimensional images based on CT and MRI scanning and transposing them through a 3D printer into a high fidelity hand-on object will open new pathways. Medical students, physicians and nonetheless patients will benefit most of our project proposal. Reproducing real-life situations, by building 3D objects similar in position, shape, firmness will have a great impact on future medicine as new models for trainees will be developed, surgical live comparing will be possible rather than building a mental picture and patients will have the possibility to comprehend more easily what option treatment is available. HH-PA-Library brings together a complex team formed by gastroenterologists, imagists and plastic surgeons who will provide a new learning, diagnostic and treatment protocol in assessment of liver and pancreatic tumors.

INtelligent Imagistic DIagnosis Support Infrastructure Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA 2013 - call
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2013-4-1930 2014 - 2017

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO); SPITALUL CLINIC JUDETEAN DE URGENTA (RO); APTUS SOFTWARE SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO)

Project website: http://www.umfcv.ro/pn-ii-pt-pcca-2013-4-1930

Abstract:

Novel diagnostic protocols and methods are nowadays of upmost importance in the medical field. The small bowel is currently the most difficult to examine segment of the digestive tract due to its distal location from both natural orifices usually used during routine digestive endoscopy. However, examining it is vital as an important number of pathologies, most of them malignant and thus with vital implications for the patient, reside at this level.

Standard diagnostic techniques were limited to radiological barium-enhanced investigations, “push-enteroscopy” and intraoperatory enteroscopy, selective arteriography, scintigraphy or computer tomography. All these methods were either too intrusive or did not provide sufficient data for an accurate diagnostic.

Wireless capsule endoscopies (WCE), along with balloon (single or double) or spiral enteroscopy are considered the two most valuable tools available to the gastroenterologist. It is estimated that millions of capsules have been swallowed worldwide in the last decade. CE is currently the optimal investigation for the small bowel, due to its convenience of use and relative low cost.

An experienced clinician spends between two and four hours analyzing the video recordings, depending on the experience of the clinician and the nature of the suspected pathology. Many factors related to the existing conditions in the examining room may influence the interpretation of these results, such as viewers’ distance from the computer screen, position and number of light sources, as well as factors related to the examiner, such as reading speed, attention level and degree of specialized training.

The INDISIO project provides an INtelligent Imagistic DIagnosis Support Infrastructure that aims to offer enhanced assistance to gastroenterologists in the process of evaluating the video files provided by the Wireless Capsule Endoscopy investigation.

Specific objectives concern:

- Development of a stand-alone system able to receive as input a WCE video file together with a CT investigation result and to provide as output a list of individual images or sequences of images emphasizing a lesion of the small bowel, reconstructed and classified with an associated probability

- Encapsulation of different image processing techniques into individual modules with clearly specified functionality, inputs and outputs, respecting predefined interfaces

- Extended analysis of multiple investigation techniques upon the same patient / area of interest, in order to provide a better and more accurate diagnostic

- Interoperability with existing similar software applications

The key aspects of INDISIO are modularity, interoperability, standardization.

INDISIO envisions an emulation of a gastroenterologist in his analysis of a WCE video. Every aspect of the physician’s approach must be analyzed and mirrored to a computer system perspective. The complexity of the human thinking process is unmatched by any artificial intelligence system, however our attempt is to divided this process into similar steps that will be transposed into a series of phases easier to implement.

VIrtual Palpation SYSTEM for advanced training, medical diagnostic and treatment Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 2
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-0503 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO); INSTITUTUL CLINIC FUNDENI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA (RO); AVITECH CO. SRL (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO)

Project website: http://www.umfcv.ro/vipsystem

Abstract:

There are inherent problems in providing training to novices in any safety critical task. In particular, teaching medical clinicians to perform procedures poses challenges and possible risk to patients.

This project proposal relies on the development and evaluation of a haptic medical simulator (haptic hand-driven device) designed to recreate specific medical procedures due to pitfalls of classical medical training and diagnosing of pancreatic and liver tumors. Recreation of a three-dimensional model of a tumor (using multi-slice computed tomography, reconstruction software and electromagnetic tracking systems) is improved in our project proposal with the addition of real-time elastographic data regarding the stiffness of all tumor surfaces. The end model will thus be extremely accurate and can be integrated in the virtual reality haptic device. Our physical haptic interaction device represents a novelty on a national and international level, providing a new level of immersion during training.

This system also represents an innovation through its level of modularity. On one hand, it will be implemented for medical training applications in the training curricula of medical students. A second direction will be evaluating its usefulness for the trained gastroenterologist or surgeons in diagnosing difficult cases with liver or pancreatic masses, otherwise unreachable to hand palpation. Thirdly, the system can be used for simulating intraoperatory palpation, a maneuver often performed by surgeons during pancreatic surgery to assess tumor resecability and localization.

This research project has a strong interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary character, bringing together medical doctors, programmers and engineers (due to partnership between a medical university, a state-of-the-art hospital, a technical university and a private software company).

Hyperthermic magnetic nanoparticle ablation of liver and pancreatic tumors Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0252 2012 - 2016

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DIN CRAIOVA (RO); INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE - DEZVOLTARE PENTRU FIZICA MATERIALELOR BUCURESTI RA (RO); INSTITUTUL DE CHIMIE MACROMOLECULARA "PETRU PONI" (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE CRAIOVA (RO)

Project website: http://nanoablation.hostzi.com/

Abstract:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) are some of the most aggressive solid malignancies, on the 3rd and 4th place in terms of mortality worldwide. Current chemotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy options are usually inefficient, while several invasive methods have been proposed for ablation of malignant liver and pancreatic tumors.

The NANO-ABLATION project has a strong innovative content, which includes: 1) a nano-ablation tester used for testing of fluids containing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), dosed in controlled quantities and placed in the poles of a properly calibrated RF magnetic coil, with the temperature monitored with an infrared pyrometer; 2) synthesis and analysis of different MNPs (including magnetite -NH2 or -COOH conjugates, novel magnetic materials with high Fe average magnetic moment like Fe16N2 and / or targeted MNps loaded with anti-angiogenic drugs (sorafenib or bevacizumab); 3) passive difussion of the MNPs will be tested through injection into murine models tumor xenografts, normal pig liver and pancreas, as well as human tissue explants from HCC and PAC patients, with subsequent pathology assessment of apoptosis / necrosis; 4) design of a computer controlled RFA needle, based on previous patents of one of the consortium members, might enhance RFA and nano-ablation through an optimized thermal effect over tumour and a lower impact on the surrounding healthy tissues.

In conclusion, the NANO-ABLATION project brings together a critical mass of experts in biotechnology research, clinical and interventional imaging (both ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound), nanoscale chemistry, physics and nano-toxicology to create a minimally invasive, image-guided system that will provide more accurate ablation of both hypovascular and hypervascular, liver and pancreatic tumors, through a combination of computer controlled RFA and MNPs hyperthermia, with the final aim of enhancing current insufficient ablation procedures.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
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	Download (66.34 kb) 13/05/2017