BrainMap

Mr. Cătălin POPA

Professor, Dr.Eng.

Professor - UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA

Researcher | Teaching staff | Scientific reviewer | Consultant | PhD supervisor

Web of Science ResearcherID: not public

Curriculum Vitae (12/09/2024)

Expertise & keywords

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:

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.

Development of robot - assisted minimally invasive methods through brachytherapy and target delivered drugs for unresectable liver tumors Call name:
PN-III-P1-1.2-PCCDI-2017-0221/59PCCDI/2018 2018 - 2020

Role in this project: Partner team leader

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:

Hybrid composite graft obtained by tissue engineering and stem cells with application in regenerative medicine Call name: Joint Applied Research Projects - PCCA-2011 call, Type 1
PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.1-0700 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE (U.M.F) Cluj-Napoca (RO); UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE " VICTOR BABEŞ " TIMISOARA (RO); INSTITUTUL ONCOLOGIC PROF.DR.I.CHIRICUTA CLUJ-NAPOCA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA TEHNICA DIN CLUJ - NAPOCA (RO)

Project website: http://www.umfcluj.ro/Detaliu.aspx?t=Cercetare-Granturi-web

Abstract:

This project from the Regenerative Medicine field aims to improve the result of tissue grafting by using Tissue Engineered hybrid synthetic scaffolds - stem cells (SC) (Embryonic and adult SC). SCs will be cultured on application – tailored scaffolds made of titanium with a porous or lattice structure and of bio-polymers, aiming the differentiation towards the tissue corresponding to the desired medical application. The SCs will be assisted during attachment by bioactive layers coated on the scaffolds and during differentiation by the synergistic action of the substrate characteristics and microspheres – mediated delivery of growth factors. The hybrid composites will be personalized, considering the scaffolds geometry and the sequence of multilayered cellular material.

The objectives will be achieved through a biomedical research consortium made up of applied and fundamental science, as well of medical institutions.

The project is made up of two directions. 1. to produce and describe structures capable to maintain and promote tissue development. 2. to describes the “in vitro” and “in vivo” interactions between the newly created materials and tissues. 3D-biocompatible materials, seeded with SC that differentiates into structures, with morphological and functional properties resembling those of the original tissues will be created.

The project is designed to generate information that will be used to develop devices that have the ability to replace complex tissue defects.

The benefits derived from these studies are:

• Economical and medical, in the treatment of patients requiring complex tissue reconstruction for lowering the medical costs and quick social reinsertion.

• The development of individualized therapies, validated by “in vitro” studies on reconstituted tissue fragments.

• The use of newly developed biomaterials and technologies for a large area of organ and tissue reconstruction by means of Tissue Engineering (liver,skin,bone,myocardium,neural).

NEW BIOCOMPATIBILE MATERIALS FOR PERSONALISED IMPLANTS MADE BY SLS AND SLM (BIOMAPIM) Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2008 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2008-0101 2010 - 2013

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Universitatea Tehnica din Cluj Napoca, CENTRUL NATIONAL DE FABRICARE RAPIDA A PROTOTIPURILOR

Project partners: Universitatea Tehnica din Cluj Napoca, CENTRUL NATIONAL DE FABRICARE RAPIDA A PROTOTIPURILOR (RO); Universitatea Babes Bolyai Cluj (RO); Universitatea Tehnica din Cluj Napoca, LABORATORUL DE BIOMATERIALE (RO); Institutul Oncologic Ion Chiricuta Cluj Napoca (RO); Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie Iuliu Hatieganu (RO)

Affiliation: Universitatea Tehnica din Cluj Napoca, LABORATORUL DE BIOMATERIALE (RO)

Project website: http://www.biomapim.utcluj.ro/

Abstract:

THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS OF THE NEW RAPID PROTOTYPING TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS FROM INDUSTRY TO MEDICINE HAS OPENED THE WAY TO MANUFACTURE MODELS FOR CUSTOMIZED IMPLANTS. AT THE EUROPEAN AND WORLD LEVEL, THE FIRST ACHIEVEMENTS WERE RECORDED AFTER 1994 .

WITHIN THE NATIONAL RAPID PROTOTYPING CENTRE FROM THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF CLUJ-NAPOCA (TUCN), IN COOPERATION WITH THE CRANIA-MAXILLA-FACIAL SURGERY CLINICS, THE RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF MEDICAL APPLICATION OF RAPID PROTOTYPING BEGUN IN 1998 AND MANAGED TO PRODUCE PHYSICAL MODELS OF SOME IMPLANTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ROMANIA, MADE FROM MATERIALS WHICH WERE NOT BIOCOMPATIBLE.

THE STRONG EXPERTISE GAINED BY OUR TEAMS, THE LATEST STATE OF THE ART HARDWARE EQUIPMENTS AVAILABLE IN OUR LABORATORIES, THE PREVIEWS RESEARCHES PERFORMED BY OUR PARTNER TEAMS FROM CLUJ-NAPOCA IN THE BIOMATERIALS AND BIOCOMPATIBILITY FIELDS HAVE LED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STRONG RESEARCH CONSORTIUM, WHICH IS INTER AND TRANS-DISCIPLINARY.

THE RESEARCHES PROPOSED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THIS PROJECT WILL SORT OUT SOME COMPLEX TASKS OF MANUFACTURING CUSTOMIZED IMPLANTS MADE FROM NEW BIOCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS SUITABLE TO BE USED DIRECTLY WITHIN THE SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING (SLS) AND SELECTIVE LASER MELTING (SLM) PROCESSES .

THIS WILL LEAD TO THE INTEGRATION OF RESEARCHES FROM DIFFERENT FIELDS: IMPLANTS MANUFACTURING, BIOMATERIALS, BIOCOMPATIBILITY, BRINGING TOGETHER FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE FROM PHYSICS, MATERIAL SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY, MEDICINE AND SURGERY.

THE PROPOSED RESEARCHES ARE ORIENTATED TO FOUR MAIN DIRECTIONS:

A) RESEARCH ON PRODUCING NEW BIOCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS FOR THE SLS AND SLM PROCESSES.

B) RESEARCH ON TESTING AND IMPROVING THE BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF THE NEW MATERIALS.

C) DESIGN THE VIRTUAL MODEL OF THE IMPLANT, WHICH WILL BE PRODUCED

D) MANUFACTURE THE IMPLANTS MADE FROM NEW MATERIALS, USING THE SLS AND SLM PROCESSES AND PERFORM THE SURGICAL OPERATIONS TO INSERT THESE IMPLANTS.

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