NanoRobotics Laboratory

Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Québec
What the facility does

Use of nanotechnology for robotic platforms aimed at tumour targeting and vascular system navigation tools

Areas of expertise

The research team has developed unique expertise in the application of magnetic fields aimed at targeted delivery of cancer-treatment medication. Its expertise also encompasses related fields, namely the production of therapeutic vectors such as FeCo magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated in PLGO microparticles and liposomes loaded with medications attached to ultra-performing magnetotactic bacteria. The team has also developed expertise in complex robotic systems and specialized medical tools such as MRI navigation, magnetic catheters, magnetic monopole generators, imaging and image resetting technologies, manufacturing of microfluidic polymer circuits and realization of full in vivo procedures.

Research services

Human-scale medical nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) with varied imaging sequences for the head / back / legs, animal supply facility (mice, rats, rabbits, pigs) with an operating room, magnetosome and bacterial culture production laboratory, 3D nanomanufacturing of photosensitive polymers, CNC machining, optical microscopy with visible light, microfluidic and electronic circuit manufacturing

Sectors of application
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Specialized lab Equipment Function
UNIM (NanoRobotic Medical Intervention Unit) Siemens Magnetom Skyra 3T MRI system Two-source, 64-receiver-channel RF transmission system and antenna assembly to cover the whole body
  MRI/NMR console (Tecmag Redstone 0-128 MHz, 1 Tx, 4 Rx) Programmable MRI console
  VNA, SVG and SVA RT analysis system (National Instruments) Test platform for RF antennae and microwave circuits up to 6GHz
   Kuka KR300 Quantec Ultra Handling robot and transfer table
  CIOS Alpha X-ray and fluoroscopy (20cm*20cm)
  EkoHeat 65kW/100kHz Induction heating system with applicator ~20cm
  MRI-compatible pulse oximeter Vital signs monitoring
  Animal supply facility Equipped with cage racks (mice, rats, rabbits, pigs), biological safety cabinet, ventilated surgery table, MRI-compatible anaesthesia
NanoRobotics Laboratory

Optical microscope (Zeiss Axio Imager Z1 m)

 

Inspection microscope with all contrast options
  Clean glove box (Terra Universal series 100) Clean-handling enclosure
  Binocular microscope (Zeiss Stemi) Binocular inspection
  Three power sources (Sorensen 200 A) High-voltage source used to power electromagnets
  3D magnetometer Portable magnetic field measuring system
  CNC milling machine (EMCO PC Mill 55) Precision milling of small parts
  Chemical fume hood Protection against toxic fumes
  Biological safety cabinet Protection against contamination
  Circuit board plotter (LPKF Protomat 92 s/II) Printed circuit board fabrication
  Hot press (LPKF MultiPress II) Multi-layer printed circuit board fabrication
  Magnet shaker (Labworks ET-139) Vibration test bench
  High-voltage source (Bertan 230 series) Multi-purpose high-voltage source
  Vacuum oven (Isotemp 281A) Material annealing and degassing
  Logic analysis system (Agilent 16702 B) Digital signals validation
NanoFabrication Multiphoton structuring device (LZH M3DL) 3D printer with 1um resolution
  Three linear stages (Aerotech ABL1000) Fast 3D positioning
  Femtosecond laser (KMLabs Griffin-3W) 2PP writing system source
Cell culture laboratory Two (2) 10L instrumented fermenters (Infors) Microorganism culture
  Instrumented 40L fermenter (Infors) Microorganism culture
  Inverted microscope with colour camera (Ziess Axiovert Z1) Basic inspection microscope
  Cooled centrifuge (Sorval RT+) Solution concentration
 

Rotary evaporator (Buchi vacuum controller D850 Rotavap R215 heating bath D491)

Homogenizer (Polytron PT6100)

Solution concentration
  Sonicator Cleaning and cavitation
  Precision balance (Scientech SA120) Substance weight measuring
  Deionized water (Milliport Milli-Q) Ultra-pure water source
  Mechanical shaker Liquid mixer
  Vortex (Genie-2) Liquid mixer
  pH meter (Orion 5 Stars) pH measuring
  Minicentrifuge (Accuspin Micro) Solution concentration
  Biological safety cabinet Sterile environment work
  Ultrasonic bath Parts cleaning
Title URL
List of our main media coverage http://wiki.polymtl.ca/nano/index.php/Press_Review