Project description
A greener future for CT scans
Computerized Tomography (CT) scans are a cornerstone of healthcare imaging. However, they come with a hefty environmental cost: 42 000 tonnes of packaging, 900 tonnes of steel, and 90 000 tonnes of plastic annually. With this in mind, the EU-funded NetZeroAICT project offers a solution. By harnessing AI, it digitally synthesises contrast, eliminating the need for radiocontrast media (RCM) in Contrast Enhanced CTs (CECT). This innovation aims to slash CO2 emissions by 30 % and curb iodine contamination by 2033. Beyond environmental benefits, NetZeroAICT sets a precedent for sustainable healthcare practices, aligning with the EU’s ambitious Net Zero targets. This pioneering project paves the way for a greener, more efficient healthcare future.
Objective
Computerised Tomography (CT) scan is one of the most common medical imaging performed in healthcare, Each year, 300 million CT scans are performed globally. Of which, around 180M include use of radiocontrast media (RCM).
Contrast Enhanced CTs (CECT) create a significant environmental impact, namely: 42,000 tonnes of single use packaging, 900 Tonnes of surgical steel (needles), 90,000 tonnes of plastic tubing and 150,000,000 kWh in energy consumption. These generate on average 9.2 kg of CO2/ scan. In addition, CECTs generates 200,000 tonnes of iodine contamination in water/yr. This is a recognised form of ‘pharmaceutical pollution’. CECTs may also harm patients: needle insertion, toxicity of iodinated RCMs to kidneys (potentially kidney failure) and allergic reactions, which in some cases can be life-threatening.
Healthcare systems are responsible for the 4.4% CO2 global emissions (2 Giga tonnes/yr). Of this, ~3 Mega tonnes/yr are generated from CECTs. The EU has declared its NetZero targets of by 2050 through the European Green Deal.
We showed feasibility that artificial intelligence (AI, deep learning methods) can extract high level information from non-contrast CT scans and synthesise contrast ‘digitally’. This avoids the need to administer RCM for CECTs. We seek to develop and validate 5 uses cases of CT ’Digital Contrast’ during this Horizon award. By implementing ‘Digital Contrast’ for scans globally, we aim to reduce 30% of the CO2e and iodine RCM waste generated from CECTs by 2033.
NetZeroAICT has a grand vision to define a reference framework for scalable development of AI health tools for a future of sustainable health systems. This builds on our prior efforts of AICT consortium, which was established to make CT imaging safer, more efficient, more equitable and more sustainable.
NetZeroAICT will accelerate the EU’s trajectory towards NetZero and advance EU’s globally recognized leadership position on Healthcare sustainability.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imagingcomputed tomography
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollution
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryhalogens
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learningdeep learning
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
182 33 DANDERYD
Sweden
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participants (11)
02210 BOSTON
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
4156AM RUMPT
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
2600 ANTWERP
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
40522 Goteborg
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500 02 HRADEC KRALOVE
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
162 00 PRAHA 6
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
06003 Nice
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45 401 OPOLE
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71110 Irakleio
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2610 WILRIJK
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8000 Brugge
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Partners (8)
05508 900 Sao Paulo Sp
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24220 008 Niteroi
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OX1 2JD Oxford
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OX20 1SY OXFORDSHIRE
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
BN11 1RL WORTHING
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
LE1 7RH Leicester
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G12 8QQ Glasgow
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2006 Sydney
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