E!, ITEA3, IMPACT
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Elekta Instrument AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 17 609 061 |
| Project duration | October 2018 - September 2021 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Eureka cluster co-funding |
Purpose and goal
Within the project IMPACT, the goal for the Swedish part of the consortium (Elekta, Inovia, SyntheticMR and Linköpings Universitet) was to develop a demonstrator in collaboration with the Dutch company Quantib for automated, individualized and time-optimized planning of radiation therapy of brain tumors by developing, combining and integrating a several advanced techniques. This was performed with successful results and reported for ITEA 22/9 2021. Scientifically, the project has also advanced the state-of-the art in processing and analysis of MRI diffusion images.
Expected results and effects
The prototype developed in IMPACT shows that it is possible with the help of machine learning and advanced algorithms to automate and speed up several sub-steps in the workflow for radiation treatment of brain metastases, and that data can be shared between subsystems in a GDPR-compatible way. The total time saving in the clinic is estimated at 30%-80% compared to conventional methods. Some components of the workflow have already been made clinically available by the project partners, while others need more validation before they are ready for clinical use.
Planned approach and implementation
The project has mainly followed the original plan, with step-by-step integration of the various technology components developed by Elekta, Inovia, SyntheticMR and Linköpings Universitet. The pandemic has had a negative impact on certain sub-goals. From March 2020, clinicians had to focus entirely on healthcare, and did not have time to help the project with data collection. We could instead work with an existing dataset that contained similar brain images, but not images from LiU´s new sequence for advanced diffusion MRI. However, this did not prevent us from achieving the main aims.