Project description
New sensing technology to monitor heart failure patients
Chronic heart failure is a relentless condition, affecting millions and straining healthcare resources. With a 5-year mortality rate of 50 % and annual costs exceeding US 30 000 per patient, it is a pressing healthcare dilemma. Patients’ lives are burdened by frequent hospitalisations and a high mortality rate. In this context, the EIC-funded FORESEE project will develop implantable microsensing devices. The key to this transformative approach lies in the development of ultra-thin and flexible implantable devices that lack bulky components or batteries. Powered wirelessly, the microsensors promise to revolutionise chronic heart failure monitoring, improving patient care. The focus of FORESEE is to bring this innovative sensing platform from concept to reality.
Objective
We have developed and in-human validated a new generation of implantable microstimulators for neuroprosthetics, accomplishing very thin (< 1 mm) and flexible devices with an unprecedented level of miniaturization as they lack batteries and bulky components. Our microstimulators are powered by an external system using an innovative wireless power transfer method that uses the human body as an electrical conductor of innocuous high frequency currents. While developing the microstimulators, we realized that this technology could also be used to create minimally invasive implants capable of sensing relevant biomedical parameters for remote patient monitoring (RPM). Our technology has the potential to revolutionize RPM, as it allows to combine different sensing capabilities in a single device and to create a network of implants for multi-site sensing. After analysing several opportunities, we decided to focus the applicability of our sensing platform to chronic heart failure (HF) monitoring. Chronic HF is a long-term, persistent condition in which the heart is not able to efficiently pump blood to the body, causing symptoms such as limited physical activity and swelling. With time, the patient decompensates, leading to repeated costly hospitalizations with an annual cost of caring of US$30,000 per patient in US, and a 5-years mortality rate of 50%. RPM using implanted sensors is an emerging clinical reality for HF patients, as it optimizes medical management and treatment, improving their quality of life and outcomes. The objective of FORESEE is to bring the implantable microsensing platform for RPM of HF patients from TRL3 up to completion of TRL5, and to develop a successful business strategy to ensure its future market access, benefiting almost 10.5 million HF patients in EU and US that are candidates for RPM. The technological and business activities developed by our team with strong scientific and business expertise will ensure tech-to-market transition.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC GrantsCoordinator
08002 Barcelona
Spain