Robotic Tendrils for High-Density Laser Light Delivery in Lung Cancer Therapy

Lung cancer is the most deadly form of cancer worldwide, and there is an urgent need for new, less invasive treatment options. This project aims to develop a novel approach that combines nanoparticle-mediated laser therapy and soft robotics to destroy lung tumours.<br /> <br /> The key innovation is using plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT), which leverages gold nanoparticles that can selectively accumulate in tumor tissue. When these nanoparticles are illuminated with a laser, they generate heat that can destroy the cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed.<br /> <br /> However, a major challenge with PPTT for lung cancer is delivering enough laser light deep into the complex, branching structure of the lungs to reach the tumor site. The laser light can only penetrate a few centimetres into tissue.<br /> To overcome this, the researchers will develop a robotic system made up of multiple soft, flexible "tendril" catheters. These tendrils can be precisely guided through the airways and each one will have laser fibres embedded inside. This allows them to simultaneously deliver laser light to multiple sites around the tumor.<br /> <br /> By strategically retracting and re-illuminating the tendrils, the researchers can ensure the tumor receives a high enough dose of laser energy to destroy it effectively. This combination of nanoparticle-targeted laser therapy and soft robotic delivery represents an advance over current lung cancer treatments.<br /> Compared to surgery or radiation, this approach should be much less invasive and have fewer side effects. And unlike standard PPTT, the robotic delivery system can overcome the challenge of reaching deep into the lungs.<br /> <br /> If successful, this project could open up new treatment options not just for lung cancer, but for other hard-to-reach cancers like those in the pancreas or brain. The robotic light delivery system could also enhance other optical imaging techniques used in medicine, such as photoacoustic imaging.<br /> <br /> The project brings together experts in medical robotics, laser therapy, and cancer biology. They will tackle challenges in areas like soft robot design, optical system integration, and in-vitro and animal testing. The outcome could be a transformative new approach to treating one of the world's deadliest cancers.

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><strong>Project Description:</strong> Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer with the highest mortality rate worldwide. New technologies focusing on improving early identification and existing treatment protocols (e.g. surgery & radiotherapy) aim to address this unmet need. However, these developments need to be matched with new treatment options that allow healthcare professionals to perform earlier less-invasive interventions, which do not have the associated side-effects of surgery and/or radiotherapy. This project will develop a new approach for the high-density delivery of laser light to the periphery of the lung using parallel arrangements of small-scale robotically deployable tendrils with embedded laser fibres. The project will thus combine the disciplines of nanoparticle mediated laser ablation with advanced soft & continuum robotics.</p> <p>Plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) is a non-invasive technique that uses cancer targeting gold nanoparticles (delivered systemically) as localised heat sensitizers, when illuminated by either pulsed or continuous wave lasers. This approach allows for the localised destruction of diseased tissue, with minimal damage to surrounding typically healthy tissue. PPTT therefore has potential to be a valuable tool in the treatment of early-stage lung cancer (nonmetastatic). Since it is not ionizing, unlike radiotherapy, PPTT may also be administered more than once, or prior to surgical intervention to ‘de-bulk’ a tumour. However, a key problem with this approach that will be tackled by this project, is delivery of sufficient light energy to the correct site in the lung. Since the laser systems typically use near-infrared light for illumination, and optical attenuation restricts penetration to a few centimetres, even with the use of plasmonic gold nanoparticles. We will address this challenge of delivering illumination deep within the lungs and in sufficient quantities through development of new soft robotic approaches to lung catheterisation. Specifically, a robotic system comprising multiple soft deployable pneumatic catheters (tendrils) will allow the simultaneous delivery of multiple laser fibres into the branches of the distal bronchial tree (bronchioles) surrounding the tumour target site. Sequential robot retraction and illumination will allow for increased and selective treatment dosing, aimed at improving the efficacy of PPTT.</p> <p>The interdisciplinary project will form a collaboration between medical soft robotics and molecular-targeted laser ablation to address a real and current clinically unmet need in the treatment and long-term management of lung cancer patients.</p> <p><strong>Novelty: </strong>Successful demonstration laser light delivery at sufficient energy levels for PPTT using a robotically deployable platform would be the first of its kind and would open further options in the targeting other cancers, such as those in the pancreas or brain. Thus, giving a potential treatment option to cancers that have very poor patient prognosis and outcomes.   Furthermore, this novel light delivery approach could be used to improve the depth penetration and clinical use of photoacoustic imaging.</p> <p>Additional novelty arising from the research project could come in the form of:</p> <ul> <li>Development of new soft robotic concepts that will facilitate compact, highly parallel designs with multiple independently deployable catheters. The associated design, modelling, fabrication and integration challenges will each provide novel contributions.   </li> <li>In vitro PPTT evaluation will establish and quantify dosing ranges and illumination requirements for potential treatment using this method.</li> <li>The production of hybrid phantoms combining both anatomical realism and in vitro cell cultures will represent novelty in evaluation approaches of this type of treatment.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Implementation:</strong> The team currently jointly supervise two PhD students (from the AI in Healthcare CDT), so have extensive experience in collaborating on research and PGR supervision. As with their current students, they will meet with any new student together on a weekly basis, in person. JM will primarily lead on optical design/implementation and in-vitro testing, and JC will primarily lead on soft robotic design and evaluation. Benchtop, phantom, and pre-clinical testing protocols will be co-developed with all entire project team. As a predominantly laboratory-based project, the student will split work between existing facilities in the Ultrasound Group and STORM lab. All optical and in vitro testing (lung cancer cell lines and tissue mimicking phantoms) would occur in a dedicated class II bio-laboratory, which houses the relevant pulsed and CW laser systems along with any calibration and test equipment. Manufacture of the soft robotic tendrils for fibre optic delivery will occur within the facilities of the STORM lab, which houses the necessary fabrication (3D-printing, casting, laser welding, injection moulding) and robotic characterisation (electromagnetic/optical tracking, load cells, and phantom models) technologies. Evaluation of prototypes could also consider (subject to suitable benchtop and in vitro evaluation results) the use of cadaveric lung tissues (available at the Division of Anatomy in the School of Medicine), and/or non-recovery in-vivo animal tests (porcine).</p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>PHD Electronic & Electrical Engineering FT </strong></em>and in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Robotic Tendrils for High-Density Laser Light Delivery in Lung Cancer Therapy</strong></em>  as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/electronic-engineering/staff/524/dr-james-mclaughlan">James McLaughlan</a> and <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/faculty-engineering-physical-sciences/staff/576/dr-james-chandler">James Chandler </a>as your proposed supervisors. <em><strong>Please state clearly in the Finance section that the funding source you are applying for is School of Electronic & Electrical Engineering Studentship 2025/26.</strong></em></p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application.  We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Friday 31 January 2025:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p class="MsoNoSpacing">A highly competitive School of Electronic & Electrical Engineering Studentship providing the award of full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£19,237 in academic session 2024/25) for 3.5 years. There are no additional allowances for travel, research expenses, conference attendance or any other costs.</p> <p>You will be responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in your writing up/overtime year (£320 in Session 2024/25), but the scholarship maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for up to 6 months in the final year of award.</p> <p><strong>Important:</strong> Please note that that the award does <em><strong>not</strong></em> cover the costs associated with moving to the UK.  All such costs (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa, Immigration Health Surcharge</a>, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source. </p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Dr James McLaughlan by email to <a href="mailto:J.R.McLaughlan@leeds.ac.uk">J.R.McLaughlan@leeds.ac.uk</a> or Dr James Chandler by email to <a href="mailto:J.H.Chandler@leeds.ac.uk">J.H.Chandler@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>