Researchers of Saratov University together with their colleagues form Saratov State Medical University named after V.I. Razumovsky and the S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy started developing the prototype system for reconstructive vertebral and pelvic complex surgery decision support.
Developers underline that it is the first time in Russia and the whole world that the system based on modern achievements of medicine, mathematics, and mechanics system is created, and its goal is to choose the optimal variant of reconstructive vertebral and pelvic complex surgery – the most difficult bone structure of the body. This system can be applied for non-standard clinical cases.
The system objective is to plan pre-surgery geometry, model reconstructive treatment biomechanically, predict its results, test new tools, and receive data for development of new implants based on prototyping and additive technology.
The project will last for 3 years – June 2018-June 2021, and it has already been supported by the Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects (200 million rubles).
In 2016 there were conducted experiments on basic data justification for development of the programming and analytical system for effective surgery treatment of vertebral and pelvic complex. SSU scientists have done biomechanical modelling of reconstructive surgery treatment for concrete patients and presented their results to the board of specialists. And the experts accepted the treatment methods. Then those operations were done, and 3 and 6 months after the patients were examined, which proved the efficiency of SSU researchers’ methods.
Due to the project surgeons will be able to get justified descriptions of all stages of vertebral and pelvic operations. As for potential users of the product, they are research institutes, clinics of traumatology, orthopedics, and neurosurgery as well as military-medical organizations, and implant production enterprises.
As a result, there should be founded the network of centers for vertebral and pelvic complex surgery decision support. The centers will be built in each federal district. Their staff will be presented by neurosurgeons, orthopedists, X-ray technicians, biomechanics, and IT-specialists. The purpose of the Regional Center for Surgeon Decision Support is to plan, model, and predict online different variants of non-standard cases, including pathological ones. The work of the main (federal) center will be tested in Saratov, where the product will be used, doctors will be taught to use the system, new algorithms will be created, and the mutual work of regional centers and medical organizations will be coordinated.
The Research Head of the project, SSU President Professor L.Yu. Kossovich highlighted that the unique group of scientists of different spheres has gathered at Saratov University, and they are able to find solutions to complex innovative tasks. The SSU researchers had worked really hard and conducted the research on biomechanics for quite a long time. Hence, the Department of Theory of Elasticity was turned into the Department of Mathematic Theory of Elasticity and Biomechanics in 1989.
The researchers have analyzed the ways to apply mechanics laws to medicine and thought about their practical usage. The SSU scientists have studied hemodynamics of femoral arteries, brain vascular system, cardiac tumorigenesis, modelling of carotid artery bifurcation, bone rigidity, and modification of Ilizarov apparatus. More than 10 postgraduates have defended their PhDs in biomechanics.
In 2009 the Education and Research Institute of Nanostructures and Biosystems was founded. Its Director is Associate Professor I.V. Kirillova. Its staff consists of mechanics engineer, programmers, medical specialists, and biologists. The research institute has been cooperating with big scientific centers and clinics – Saratov State Medical University named after V.I. Razumovsky, A.N. Bakulev National Medical Research Center of Cardiovascular Surgery, and the S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy. According to L.Yu. Kossovich’s opinion, specialists from different spheres, including programmers, should develop the prototype system for reconstructive vertebral and pelvic complex surgery decision support.
‘It is a good example of an innovative interdisciplinary project, and it is developed in Saratov University. The research group is represented by bright programmers, mechanics engineers, and biologists. There are not so many scientific groups that can solve such difficult tasks,’ commented L.Yu. Kossovich.
