Computer-Assisted Osteotomy Planning: Medical imaging techniques for orthopaedic surgery
Ruurd Kuiper
What was your PhD about?
Our research was aimed at bridging the gap between the regenerative medicine and the radiological departments, concerning the reconstruction of deformed bones. In severe cases, deformed bones are reconstructed using an osteotomy, a surgery where the bone is cut into two or more fragments which are repositioned and then reattached. Pre-operative planning for this surgery is usually done based on radiographs or CT scans. Conventionally, this was either done manually by the orthopedic surgeon, or computationally by a medical technician. During my PhD, we tried to enable the surgeon to perform this computational planning by himself. We employed several algorithms to automate the time-consuming steps, and aimed at providing an easy-to-use interface to allow for manual adjustments.
What is your fondest memory of your time at RMU?
My fondest memories are the lively, fruitful and entertaining discussions I had with my colleagues at the RMU. I think the most important advantage of working at a large scientific center like the UMC Utrecht is that there is so much knowledge floating around.
What are you going to do next?
Since finishing my last papers, I have already been travelling across South-America for seven months. Shortly after I return, my defense will be held, after which I will have to start looking for a new job. During my PhD I have already been collaborating with a start-up based on our research, UPlanner BV. The application of research into actual clinical practice is something that I feel is very important, and sometimes quite difficult when operating from an academic institution. As such, I would like to do something similar in my next job, where I would get to translate innovative research developments to the market.