Philips is coordinating the SHERPA research consortium, which will include seven clinical studies to validate AI- and robotics-assisted workflows for minimally invasive neurovascular and tumor treatment.
The project aims to provide clinicians with AI-powered assistive technologies to automate repetitive tasks and support decision-making across the entire workflow, Philips said. It is co-funded by the European Union Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) and industry partners, with a total budget of €21.5 million, and comprises five medical technology industry partners, five academic partners, and five research organization and medical association partners, according to the firm.
During the project's first year, the consortium developed algorithms to aid in identifying brain aneurysms and optimize patient selection and therapy planning for liver tumor ablation, as well as AI software for confirming successful treatment and robotic technology to improve procedure precision and reduce difficulty.
Clinical studies are being conducted at University Medical Center Utrecht, St Antonius Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hôpital Bicêtre AP-HP, and Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau.
Over the next three years, the studies will evaluate the following:
- RADAR: AI-based aneurysm detection using CT and MR imaging
- Aneurysm@risk: AI-based algorithm to predict aneurysm growth and rupture risk
- ASSIST: AI-supported device selection and positioning guidance
- INTERACT: Automatic collimation and projection angle suggestions for procedural guidance
- SAFO: A digital remote follow-up solution for brain aneurysm patients
The two tumor studies include MISTRAL, which will evaluate cone beam CT workflows for percutaneous liver ablations, and RHODES, which will assess robotic-assisted versus free-hand lung biopsies, Philips said.
