Project description
New device to prevent hair loss in chemotherapy treatment
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) refers to hair loss resulting from chemotherapy treatment for cancer. In this context, the EIC-funded LILY project proposes a portable, comfortable device that uses localised microvasculature compression therapy to prevent CIA. This device applies gentle pressure to the micro blood vessels responsible for delivering chemotherapy drugs to hair follicles, thereby inhibiting drug delivery. It features a proprietary pneumatic bladder network design and a soft robotics system capable of non-invasively inducing vasoconstriction in the superficial vessels of the scalp to mechanically regulate tissue perfusion. Additionally, the device incorporates an electronic control system for patient management and provides real-time feedback on the treatment protocol.
Objective
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is hair loss associated with chemotherapy treatment for cancer. LILY is a portable, comfortable, and effective CIA prevention device that uses localised microvasculature compression therapy (LMCT) to prevent CIA.
The LILY device uses this unique LMCT technique to reduce perfusion at the scalp and prevent the destructive action of chemotherapy on hair follicles. By applying a consistent low-level pressure (between 35 and 60 mmHg) to the local micro blood vessels, which could deliver chemotherapy drugs to fast-dividing hair follicles, the vessels are temporarily compressed, inhibiting drug delivery.
The device comprises a proprietary pneumatic bladder network design and soft robotics system with the ability to non-invasively induce vasoconstriction in superficial vessels of the scalp to mechanically control tissue perfusion, and an electronic control system for both patient management of the system and real-time feedback into the treatment protocol.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol systems
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticssoft robotics
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended FinanceCoordinator
H91 TE26 GALWAY
Ireland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.