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New minimally invasive technologies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

Lead Research Organisation: MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Engineering

Abstract

Our vision is to challenge the mind-set of pancreatic cancer being a prognosis of extremely limited options and to enable revolutionary future treatments that will save lives and allow patients to live without major side-effects. Novel engineering and physical science has an essential contribution to make against what is currently the deadliest form of cancer (mortality 95% <2yrs).

This research will centre around the creation of new minimally-invasive technologies based on microscale, magnetically-driven, soft continuum robots. These will newly enable non-destructive access to the intricate sensitive internal anatomy of the pancreas and allow targeted treatments to be delivered. These new technologies will tackle current clinical challenges in pancreatic cancer, while also providing the treatment methods that will be required as possibilities for earlier diagnosis emerge in the future.

Related Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Award Value
EP/V009818/1 30/04/2021 31/01/2025 £1,522,148
EP/V009818/2 Transfer EP/V009818/1 01/02/2025 29/04/2026 £345,230
 
Description Our research progress in this project is yielding an exponential number of high-quality results across different routes to impact. These results include; publications, national and international engagement, intellectual property, the development of people, and further research in areas of high societal value. This research is still ongoing and will continue to be reported on further as new results emerge.
Exploitation Route The outcomes of the research will be taken forward through the development of innovate medical devices and treatments.
Sectors Healthcare

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology
 
Description The wider value of this research is now being developed for the delivery of maxillofacial prosthetics. We are developing new routes to realise on-demand high-fidelity facial prostheses for patients who have experienced soft tissue loss in the maxillofacial region, such as that resulting from cancer treatment or traumatic injury. This incorporates our Aerosol Jet Printing technologies for fabricating soft flexible materials to provide high-resolution surface definition and marginal edge interfaces. Some of the initial outcomes from this can be viewed in the Researchfish return for the project AMFaces.
First Year Of Impact 2025
Sector Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
Impact Types Societal

Economic
 
Description AMFaces: Advanced Additive Manufacturing of User-Focused Facial Prostheses with Real-Life Colour Appearance
Amount £5,540,752 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/W033968/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2023 
End 11/2028
 
Description Aerosol Jet Printing for Maxillofacial prosthetics 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Investigation of Aerosol Jet Printing technologies for fabricating soft flexible materials.
Collaborator Contribution Maxillofacial and oral surgery, 3D printing / additive manufacture, reconstructive science, biomaterials, colour science, and imaging.
Impact Please see researchfish of EP/W033968/1 for details
Start Year 2023
 
Description 'New Manufacturing Processes' @Precision and Performance event on National Manufacturing Day 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact An overview of recent research was provided, following by a Q&A panel
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2025