IMAGINE takes off
Open innovation lab accelerates application of image-guided techniques in cancer
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 to significantly improve the lives of and care for people with cancer. Open innovation is a relatively new concept for healthcare. The programme will be guided by innovation scientists from the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development.
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.
Less stressful
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.
Hospital practices
To accelerate the realization of medtech inventions such as the MR-Linac and 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. The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development researches and helps create the framework conditions and basic conditions for setting up the Open Innovation Lab. In addition, it is developing evidence-based implementation strategies and scale-up routes.