The main goal of V|LF-Spiro3D is to create and validate a new way to view and understand the 3D structure and function of the lungs using affordable and compact V|LF-MRI technology. This scientific and technological breakthrough aims to provide an accessible tool for the early diagnosis, staging, and treatment follow-up of respiratory diseases.
V|LF-Spiro3D focuses on:
1. Producing standard 3D MR spirometry data.
2. Developing a post-processing workflow for 3D MR spirometry.
3. Developing methodologies and instruments for low- and very-low-field 3D MR spirometry.
4. Studying the impact of 3D MR spirometry on patients' experiences, clinical communication, and cultural perceptions.
In the first year, the project has made significant progress, including:
¨ Initial implementation of the technique on GE Healthcare and Siemens MR and PET-MR hybrid systems.
¨ An exploratory clinical trial involving 25 healthy adult volunteers.
¨ Preliminary findings on new biomechanical biomarkers.
¨ Development of an efficient workflow for data reconstruction and processing.
¨ Creation of new RF coil arrays and preamplifiers for very-low-field MRI.
¨ Establishment of a social and humanistic study plan with open questionnaires.
¨ Initiation of a behavioural art-science project.
V|LF-Spiro3D kicked-off on February 6-7, 2023 before starting on April 1st, 2023. An undergraduate student, 6 master interns, 2 early stage engineers, 7 early stage researchers (4 PhD students, 3 post-doctoral fellows), and a project manager have been involved and recruited so far in V|LF-Spiro3D. Five more early stage researchers (3 PhD students, 2 post-doctoral fellows) are about to integrate the consortium.
From January 2024 on, scientific dissemination among partners have been enforced by monthly interdisciplinary seminars while online and offline bilateral or multilateral meetings have been set up to design a first low-field road map and test a first MR-compatible spirometer prototype, build integrative research protocols, establish global ethics, and implement 3D MR spirometry at two out of the four clinical partner sites while already closing a preliminary study on 25 healthy adult volunteers and running the first arm with reversibility challenge in adult asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The integrated research protocols on adults at standard field have been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) together with three ancillary studies on (1) the objectivation and acceptance of 3D MR spirometry (2) the alternative phase-resolved functional lung (PREFUL) MRI, and (3) the related 4D flow MRI in the aorta. The integrated research protocols on children at standard field have been submitted and approval is expected very soon.
Three-dimensional MR spirometry basic reconstruction has been secured, validated, and improved (repeatability, reproducibility, robustness) on 25 female and male adult healthy volunteers (101 datasets) with proven sensitivity to gravity dependence. It is being improved to include deep segmentation at the lobar level, absolute time local registration, 4D parametric maps, and biomechanical modelling.
