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Mechanics-augmented brain surgery

Objective

This project aims at revolutionising the treatment of brain disorders through mechanics-augmented brain surgery (MAGERY). Due to the ultrasoft nature of brain tissue, surgical procedures have exceptionally high requirements for minimal invasiveness and maximal safety. During the procedure, brain tissue largely deforms and is easily loaded beyond its functional tolerance. A promising technology to improve surgical outcomes is to integrate virtual information either through immersed virtual reality (VR) in training and planning or through augmented reality (AR) overlaying virtual information with the surgeons real view. Despite rapid advances, to date, most VR/AR solutions have disregarded the complex region-dependent mechanical properties of brain tissue and mechanics-induced cell dysfunction or death.

The MAGERY project will follow a new paradigm by focusing on brain mechanics. We imply that we can minimise unnecessary brain tissue damage by integrating continuum mechanics-based simulations into VR/AR solutions. Realising this objective will require to combine state-of-the-art approaches in live cell imaging, nonlinear continuum mechanics, and computational engineering. The applicant and the MAGERY team will for the first time perform simultaneous large-strain mechanical measurements and multiphoton microscopy, and, through modelling and simulations, identify thresholds for tissue and cell damage under complex three-dimensional loadings. By merging simulation results and VR/AR techniques, this project strives towards real-time predictions of brain tissue deformation and corresponding damage. With her pioneering role in testing and modelling the complex behaviour of human brain tissue, the applicant has excellent prerequisites to tackle these challenges.

If successful, this project can not only revolutionise VR/AR for brain surgery, but also leverage our understanding of the cellular response to three-dimensional mechanical loading across length and time scales.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2023-STG

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Host institution

FRIEDRICH-ALEXANDER-UNIVERSITAET ERLANGEN-NUERNBERG
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 229 523,00
Address
FREYESLEBENSTRAßE 1
91058 ERLANGEN
Germany

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Region
Bayern Mittelfranken Erlangen, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 2 229 523,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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