Reducing the strain on healthcare systems while treating cancer patients faster and more effectively using the latest minimally invasive techniques—this is the mission of the IMAGINE open innovation lab. Here, public and private partners collaborate to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in image-guided interventions.
Medical imaging and image-guided procedures are becoming increasingly important in cancer treatment. ‘The number of patients is rising, while the number of healthcare professionals is decreasing,’ explains Nico van den Berg, professor of computational imaging at UMC Utrecht. ‘We are currently experiencing a revolution in AI, mathematical modeling, and smart sensors. By integrating these technologies into image-guided interventions, we can deliver more effective care with less manual effort from healthcare workers, helping to ease their workload.’
Less invasive and more precise
Image-based treatments allow for more targeted and less invasive procedures, says Van den Berg. ‘These techniques give doctors a clearer view of what they are treating, making cancer treatments more precise and efficient. As a result, patients experience fewer side effects because surrounding healthy tissue is less affected. Moreover, image-guided treatments are often less stressful for patients compared to surgeries.’
One concrete example is the treatment of prostate cancer. Traditionally, patients required up to twenty radiation sessions to minimize damage to healthy tissue. With image-guided techniques, doctors can now precisely target the treatment area, reducing the number of sessions to five—and potentially even as few as two in the future.
‘By integrating AI-technologies into image-guided interventions, we can deliver more effective care’
-Nico van den Berg, professor of computational imaging at UMC Utrecht.
Collaboration in innovation
The IMAGINE open innovation lab aims to accelerate the development of such medtech solutions. A key opportunity in image-guided interventions lies in innovations where imaging fuses with new AI capabilities. ‘However, the biggest challenge is translating these solutions into practical applications that can work in clinical settings,’ says Van den Berg. ‘The clinical setting and its requirements must be our starting point. To take that step toward practical application, it is essential to include the people who are going to use these AI applications, such as physicians and technicians (Dutch: radiologische en radiotherapeutische laboranten).’
To achieve this, companies, research institutions, and educational organizations will join forces. Experts in mathematics, AI, imaging science, methodology, engineering, design, and medicine will share knowledge and resources with medtech companies to drive innovation in imaging and image-guided technologies. Van den Berg adds: ‘Within IMAGINE, we are seeking collaborations with new partners who bring unique expertise, such as the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (CWI), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and Fontys University of Applied Sciences.’
Long-term investment
Together, NWO and the partners will invest a total of about 54 million euros over the next ten years in IMAGINE. Several research projects are already underway, and although the partners are not yet working from a single location, preparations for a shared facility are in progress.
Collaboration partners:
UMC Utrecht cooperates within IMAGINE with Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital/Netherlands Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (CWI), Elekta, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, KALCIO Healthcare, Lygature, Philips, Radboud UMC, Eindhoven University of Technology, Tesla Dynamic Coils, Utrecht University and Utrecht Inc.
Nico van den Berg is also closely involved in the following AI-Hub project.