Funding

Self-funded

Project code

CMP10211026

Department

School of Computing

Start dates

October, February and April

Application deadline

Applications accepted all year round

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3-year full-time or 6-year part time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the School of Computing and will be supervised by Dr Elisavet Andrikopoulou and Dr Sobath Premaratne.

The work on this project will:

  • Develop high-fidelity 3D vascular models using Unity's Virtual Reality Surgical Simulation Suite (VR3S) to assist in vascular surgery planning and training.
  • Collaborate closely with NHS vascular surgeons to ensure clinical relevance and applicability.
  • Potential to utilise either synthetic or patient imaging data.
  • Incorporate advanced 3D vision techniques for accurate vascular segmentation and reconstruction.
  • Validate the Unity-based models in realistic surgical environments to assess their effectiveness.

Vascular surgery demands precise preoperative planning and effective training tools. Recent advancements in 3D vision and virtual reality (VR) technologies offer promising avenues to enhance surgical outcomes. This PhD project aims to develop immersive 3D vascular models within Unity's VR3S platform, facilitating improved surgical planning and training.

 

The project will explore state-of-the-art methods in vascular segmentation, graph generation, and super-resolution imaging (Intelligent Medicine, 2024). These techniques have potential to be applied to either synthetic datasets or real patient scans, depending on the background of the candidate.

 

The core objective is to integrate these models into Unity's VR3S, enabling interactive simulations that mirror real-life surgical scenarios. This immersive environment will allow surgeons to navigate complex vascular structures, plan interventions, and rehearse procedures in a risk-free setting.

 

A significant component of the project involves collaboration with NHS vascular surgeons. Their insights will guide the development process, ensuring that the models meet clinical needs and are practical for surgical applications. The models will undergo rigorous validation in simulated surgical environments to assess their accuracy, usability, and impact on surgical planning and training.

 

This research aligns with recent findings emphasizing the transformative potential of 3D modeling in vascular surgery. By integrating cutting-edge 3D vision techniques with VR technology and clinical expertise, this project seeks to advance the field of vascular surgery, offering innovative tools for surgical planning and education.

 

 

Fees and funding

Visit the research subject area page for fees and funding information for this project.

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only. 

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK  (UK and EU students only).

 

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a master’s degree in computer science or a related area. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or Qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

  • Skills and experience in machine learning and programming
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Knowledge of health informatics or related health or pharmaceutical background or relevant experience

 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Elisavet Andrikopoulou (elisavet.andrikopoulou@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the Computing PhD subject area page and select the link for the relevant intake. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process. 

When applying please quote project code: CMP10211026