Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CARDIALLY (Capturing and quantitative analysis of multi-scale multi-channel diagnostic data.)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2017-11-01 al 2019-10-31
Project CARDIALLY has been wholly successful and has led to a number of research and technological achievements. CARDIALLY has made major contributions to development of the technology capable to do real-time measurements, development of the techniques of real-time signal processing and led to fabrication of a prototype device. This device combines advanced methods of data acquisition and complex data analysis. The project has developed novel diagnostic engineering technologies and explored medical applications. Strong interdisciplinary nature of the project and a balance of practical application and fundamental science ensured a wide range of skills and knowledge transfer within the consortium. Working in close collaboration with our SME partner DIASENS did allow early career researchers to gain an invaluable experience in bringing research to real life applications and to broaden their future career choices.
As to abnormal behaviour of ECG we emphasize that, in the framework of the CARDIALLY, we considered the implementation of Algorithms to predict shock outcome based on ventricular fibrillation waveform. Indeed, VF is a medical emergency of enormous proportions and it is one of the first causes of sudden death in a large range of population's age. Different algorithms have been constructed, characterized, tested and evaluated exploiting the observational prospective study, done during the CARDIALLY project, which includes 260 patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated by the emergency medical services in Brescia, Italy, between 2006 and 2009. We demonstrated that Algorithms can be potentially useful tools to effectively optimize defibrillation strategy, thus immediate defibrillation versus cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The main achievement of the CARDIALLY is a demonstration of the prototype device fabricated by DIASENS. All the knowledge transfer targets, that required synergetic efforts of all participating teams and cross-training of staff, have been successfully achieved. DIASENS applied for permission to organize pilot clinical testing of the prototype device and the request for approval is in the process of consideration. The draft protocol for the pilot clinical testing was designed in collaboration with the medical experts and working cardiologists from the Medical School of University of Belgrade (http://www.mfub.bg.ac.rs/eng/home/).
During the project period DIASENS in collaboration with the partner institutions completed hardware of the experimental multi sensor device and appropriate software for control the measuring process and data acquisition and advanced numerical methods for cost efficient data processing. The system started from the basic idea reached the technology readiness level TR4. It is fully operational and ready to proceed with the planned data acquisition in the hospital environment. The successful realization of the experimental multi sensor device is the result of the gained knowledge of the DIASENS researchers from the partner institutions through the completed extensive secondments plan on design, fabrication and encapsulation of the fiber optical sensors, and advanced algorithms for signal processing and data analyses.
Overall, CARDIALLY advanced state-of-the-art in signal measurements and processing and contributed to both European excellence and European competitiveness in a number of ways ranging from the new knowledge generation to development of a prototype device for real life healthcare applications. The research has significant potential for life-changing applications in cardiology, especially relevant to adult and aging population.
During the project period the partner institutions of the CARDIALLY project established strong links and partnership relations with an agreement to continue close collaboration. The next step is preparation of application to the Collaborative Grant Scheme Program (http://www.inovacionifond.rs/programs/collaborative-grant-scheme-program) at the Innovation fund of Serbia (http://www.inovacionifond.rs/) creating consortium with the partner institutions of the CARDIALLY project: University of Belgrade (Medical School and Vinca Institute), Aston University and University of Brescia. In parallel, DIASENS team will start in 2020 a campaign with an elevator peach to approach the alternative funding sources, primary VC funds in Serbia and EU.