Open innovation lab accelerates application of image-guided techniques in cancer Project IMAGINE takes off

Treating patients with cancer faster and more effectively using the latest minimally invasive techniques. While at the same time relieving the continuing pressure on the  healthcare system. That's what IMAGINE is striving for. The NWO, public and private partners are investing a total of 54 million euros in this world-leading innovation lab for image-guided interventions. This will significantly improve the lives of and care for people with cancer. Radboud university medical center is involved in this project, which is led by UMC Utrecht.

Medical imaging and image-guided interventions are playing an increasingly important role in the treatment of cancer patients. The MR-Linac, for example, allows for much more targeted radiation, and fewer sessions are needed to treat prostate cancer patients. Previously, people with intermediate-risk prostate cancer had to receive radiation 20 times, while the standard treatment now consists of five sessions with the MR-Linac.

The MR-Linac is a successful example of an image-guided innovation that UMC Utrecht, together with Elekta and Philips, has realized and brought to patients. The machine is now being used in clinics around the world to treat patients in a more focused, faster and less stressful way.

To accelerate the realization of medtech inventions such as the MR-Linac but also to make them more compatible with everyday hospital practice, the open innovation lab IMAGINE for image-guided interventions is now being launched. Here, companies, research and educational institutions come together to work jointly on image-guided innovations. In the process, the latest mathematical, AI and data technologies are combined with image-guided techniques and interventions.

AI and early evaluation

On behalf of Radboudumc, Peter Koopmans and Janneke Grutters are participating in the IMAGINE project, which is led by UMC Utrecht. MRI researcher Peter Koopmans will work on AI methods to track moving organs and tumors during radiation therapy using MRI images. He will also develop MRI biomarkers to monitor changes in the tumor and surrounding tissue throughout the treatment process. Janneke Grutters, a professor of Early Health Technology Assessment, is researching how the innovations developed in IMAGINE can be best utilized to lead to more efficient and sustainable care by evaluating these techniques early.

Partners

Other participating organizations include Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital/Dutch Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), Elekta, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, KALCIO Healthcare, Lygature, Philips, Eindhoven University of Technology, Tesla Dynamic Coils, Utrecht University, and Utrecht Inc. Mathematicians, AI developers, imaging scientists, engineers, and physicians collaborate within IMAGINE. They share their expertise and resources with medtech companies to develop the latest imaging and image-guided technologies.

Read more at the website of UMC Utrecht.