Microwave diagnostics for improved acute care of patients with head injury

Purpose and goal

In this project we address the lack of methods to make the right diagnosis before hospital on patients with acute head injury. The aim is to investigate whether microwave diagnostics can fill this need. The objectives are to plan and implement a clinical pilot study, with the hope to demonstrate the method´s potential to detect severe head injuries with internal bleeding, adapt the equipment for trauma patients, and to plan a follow-up clinical study. The study is ongoing, a suggested design for adaptation of the equipment has been given and planning of follow-up study has been initiated.

Results and expected effects

This project is terminated before completion of the clinical pilot study, and proof-of-concept that microwave diagnostics can be used to diagnose intracranial bleeding can not be shown within the framework of this project. We have currently, 30 September 2015, recruited 8 out of 20 patients for the clinical study. If the results of the clinical trial are positive, this will open up opportunities for studies on acute patients. It should be possible to establish microwave diagnostics products for trauma patients in 3-5 years.

Approach and implementation

The project was coordinated by Chalmers University of Technology at the Department of Signals and Systems. Project partners have been Medfield Diagnostics AB who manufactures the microwave equipment and have assisted with expertise for conducting clinical studies, the Sahlgrenska Academy who contributed to the design and implementation of the clinical study, and the Department of Neurosurgery at Sahlgrenska University Hospital who performs the clinical study.