Project description
Cancer detection with ultra-high-resolution X-ray imaging
Current digital X-ray detectors cannot match the detail seen in traditional pathology, often delaying cancer diagnosis and treatment. To close this gap, the EIC-funded 1MICRON project is developing a sensor with spatial resolution down to 1 micron (an order of magnitude finer than today’s technology). Using advanced circuits and silicon sensor design, 1MICRON will enable fast, high-contrast, 3D imaging directly in operating rooms. This virtual biopsy could save over 100 000 procedures annually in Europe alone. Beyond cancer, the technology promises new applications in clinical CT scans and improved access to diagnostics worldwide, including in developing countries.
Objective
"The 1MICRON project can bridge the gap in image quality between today’s digital x-ray detectors and histopathology. We will integrate CMOS electronics circuits directly into the sensor, employing an edge-on ""deep silicon"" geometry for monolithic sensors that ensure high efficiency. This breakthrough promises a remarkable order of magnitude improvement in spatial resolution, all the way down to 1 micron. Such a high-resolution sensor will make phase contrast imaging much more practical and efficient, and as a secondary effect this will dramatically increase the contrast in the images. Today’s pathology analysis takes weeks and when cancer cells are found at the margin or in sentinel nodes the patient is called back for corrective surgery and treatment is delayed, decreasing survival chances. The 1MICRON imaging technology can be used directly in the operating room, providing a digitized 3D volume for immediate feedback on cancer margin. The new method can save >100 000 surgical treatments per year only in Europe, saving the corresponding cost for the healthcare system. The technology could also be implemented in new markets such as developing countries, where today pathology laboratories are not accessible. A secondary objective is to provide a proof-of-principle for a new sensor for next-generation CT, coping with high x-ray flux and having low enough power consumption for a future implementation in a clinical modality. The high resolution can provide a “3D virtual biopsy” as an alternative to today’s invasive needle biopsies. Our team includes leading European experts in medical imaging, phase-contrast imaging, monolithic sensor design, pathology, radiology, surgery, and industry positions us uniquely to undertake this ambitious project. Our success can trigger a paradigm shift in both pathology and clinical x-ray imaging corresponding to the most significant advancement in decades.
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Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine surgery
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine radiology
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- engineering and technology medical engineering diagnostic imaging
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2024-PATHFINDEROPEN-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
100 44 Stockholm
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.