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AI and Robotics for Prostate Biopsy

Project description

New tools for prostate cancer diagnosis

In the realm of medical advancements, the pursuit of accuracy and innovation never ceases. In this context, the EIC-funded ROBIOPSY project is poised to transform the landscape of prostate cancer (PC) diagnosis. Building upon the foundation laid by the European Research Council Proof of Concept PROST initiative, ROBIOPSY takes up the challenge of refining and evolving the robotic device for PC biopsy into a clinical-ready prototype. Specifically, it will engineer the PROST prototype and analyse the business case for PC diagnosis and its potential expansion into focal therapy. At its core, ROBIOPSY tackles the issues of uncertain target identification and needle misplacement. A pioneering image fusion technique substantially reduces target ambiguity, while the robotic device ensures pinpoint accuracy in needle positioning.

Objective

The ROBIOPSY project aims at evolving the robotic device for prostate cancer (PC) biopsy demonstrated during the ERC-PoC PROST into a product prototype that will be ready for clinical trials. The focus of the project will be two-fold: the engineerization of the PROST prototype, and the accurate analysis of the business case of prostate cancer diagnosis and its potential extension to focal therapy. We will correct the shortcomings of the pre-clinical tests, meet the strict medical certification regulations, and address the Health Economics implications of our solution. ROBIOPSY will achieve better performance than current competitors because it solves the two main causes of PC diagnostic error: uncertain target identification, and inaccurate needle positioning, as demonstrated in the pre-clinical tests. A novel image fusion method will permit to significantly reduce the target uncertainty, while the robotic device will zero the positioning error.The ROBIOPSY prototype will consist of a single cart holding the robotic needle positioner, and housing all the electronic components. The electronics will be divided into two subsystems: interface and data processing, and safety critical controls. This will reduce the operational risks and will simplify the medical certification. A multi-centric study is ongoing to collect biopsy images to train the Machine Learning algorithms for prostate segmentation and lesion identification. In parallel to the technical development, we will analyze in depth the business case of prostate biopsy in selected European Countries, we will analyze the time/cost reduction due to the new device and will establish the economic foundation of focal therapy, to be ready for the expected evolution of PC treatments.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2022-TRANSITION-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI VERONA
Net EU contribution
€ 455 000,00
Address
VIA DELL ARTIGLIERE 8
37129 Verona
Italy
Region
Nord-Est Veneto Verona
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 455 000,00

Participants (4)