Rob Adamson
Acting Director, Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering
Contact
Robert B A Adamson, PhD
Email: rob.adamson@dal.ca
Phone: (902)497-8579
My research interests are in advanced imaging and therapeutic devices that use light and ultrasound. Current research projects include an optical coherence tomography system for imaging the middle ear through the eardrum, a photoacoustic imaging system for intrasurgical endoscopic imaging and optical monitoring of high intensity ultrasound therapy.
Our Group
Research in my lab is strongly applied and we collaborate closely with industry partners to ensure that advances made in our lab get translated to patients.Ìý If you are interested in contributing to engineering projects that can make a real and immediate difference in patients' lives then there may be a place for you in my lab.
I am currently recruiting students from math, physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and related disciplines at the PhD and MASc level.Ìý Interest and background in imaging, circuit design, mathematical modeling, microfabrication and optics are all an asset.Ìý Please send applications by email to me at rob.adamson@dal.ca
Current Projects
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Optical Coherence Imaging of the Middle ear: I am using optical coherence imaging techniques to image the middle ear through the eardrum.Ìý Eventually the system will include Doppler capability for real-time functional imaging.Ìý Some of the unique challenges of imaging in the ear are the long scanning range needed, the low numerical aperture and the optical losses in traversing the eardrum.Ìý Despite this, early results obtained with the system look good and I am interested in recruiting top electrical engineering, physics and math students to help move the project forwards.Ìý Ìý |
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Ultrasound-based powering of implanted devices: Medical implants that draw more than a few mW of power are typically powered by magnetic induction coils.Ìý I am exploring the alternative approach of using ultrasound technologies to deliver power.Ìý By taking advantage of modern, high-efficiency piezoelectric materials we've been able to obtain comparable efficiencies to induction coils in much smaller devices.Ìý Key problems that we're tackling are maintaining efficiency as the patient moves and hydration changes, developing a long-lasting dry acoustic coupling, providing communication to turn the link on or off as power demands change and compensating for wave diffraction between the transmitter and receiver. |
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A subcutaneous piezoelectrically actuated bone-anchored hearing aid (SPAHA): I am developing aÌý bone-conduction implanted hearing aid for treating conductive hearing loss.Ìý The technology relies on a novel actuation process which uses a flat piezoelectric actuator to cause bend |