Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Portable Quantum Sensors for Neurosurgery

Project description

Advanced real-time imaging during surgery

Surgical procedures require great precision especially during tumour excision where it is necessary to preserve healthy tissue and avoid disease recurrence. However, current image-guided surgery techniques struggle with resolution and real-time imaging. The EU-funded PoQus project proposes to develop a fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy with integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). The generated microscope will feature a compact cryogenic cooling system and be suitable for operating rooms, offering superior depth resolution and tissue penetration. Combined with new imaging software, this new device is expected to enhance real-time tissue analysis during surgery and improve patient outcomes.

Objective

Modern medical diagnostics heavily rely on optical measurements, especially for real-time analysis of deep tissue, crucial for tasks like post-cancer surgery monitoring where cancer recurrence is a risk due to leftover malignant cells. Current image-guided surgery techniques face limitations in resolution and real-time imaging, posing challenges for completely excising tumors while preserving healthy tissue. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy offers superior depth resolution by measuring the time a fluorophore spends in the excited state before emitting a photon. This technique minimizes errors from environmental factors and photon scattering in tissue but suffers from limited penetration depth. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) present a solution due to their high performance in longer wavelengths, enabling greater penetration depth. However, current SNSPDs require substantial cooling and are bulky, making them unsuitable for clinical settings. The aim is to develop a portable quantum sensor based on SNSPDs, integrated into a time-resolved fluorescence imaging microscope for use in operating rooms. The prototype will feature a compact cryogenic system for cooling, optimized detectors for efficiency and speed, and software for image analysis. Made of EU components, the system aims for medical-grade quality, enabling real-time analysis of tumor and healthy tissues during surgery, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

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.

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.

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.

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2024-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-CNECT

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

SINGLE QUANTUM BV
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 693 125,00
Address
DELFGAUWSEWEG 271
2628 ER Delft
Netherlands

See on map

SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 2 418 750,00

Participants (3)

My booklet 0 0