Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Panatomy (Panatomy)
Reporting period: 2016-04-01 to 2016-09-30
1.1. What is the problem/issue being addressed?
The field of radiology is inherently image based, but the tools available to radiologists for research and diagnosis are not. In the current diagnostic process, radiologists must extensively research anatomical structures and diseases in print-based books, papers, or web-based references. This conventional process is laborious and time-consuming. It also lags behind most other fields of medicine, which benefit from digital reference systems with up-to-date and interactive cases.
1. 2. Why is it important for society?
Today, demand for radiologic services is growing. More and more patients are being scanned, and more non-radiologists are choosing MRI scans as the best diagnostic method. Waiting lists have become the norm for radiologic services, and many European health markets exhibit unmet demand for radiologic personnel. The result is delayed diagnosis time, which can have harmful outcomes for patients particularly in emergencies.
1. 3. What are the overall objectives?
The company’s solution aimes to fill this void by providing an interactive viewer software tool connected to a state-of-the-art database with the most extensive library of pathological images to date. Using the software, radiologists can simply compare a patient’s MRI or CT scan against images of anatomical structures, search for matching diseases, view high-quality matching pathological case images, read information about disease types and find ways to verify the visual diagnosis. This enables radiologists to make faster and more accurate diagnoses, with an increased capacity of up to 15% in trials. This benefits both doctors and patients, who receive faster diagnoses and treatment especially during emergencies.
Radiologic knowledge becomes easily and extensively accessible to professionals in Europe and beyond.
The field of radiology is inherently image based, but the tools available to radiologists for research and diagnosis are not. In the current diagnostic process, radiologists must extensively research anatomical structures and diseases in print-based books, papers, or web-based references. This conventional process is laborious and time-consuming. It also lags behind most other fields of medicine, which benefit from digital reference systems with up-to-date and interactive cases.
1. 2. Why is it important for society?
Today, demand for radiologic services is growing. More and more patients are being scanned, and more non-radiologists are choosing MRI scans as the best diagnostic method. Waiting lists have become the norm for radiologic services, and many European health markets exhibit unmet demand for radiologic personnel. The result is delayed diagnosis time, which can have harmful outcomes for patients particularly in emergencies.
1. 3. What are the overall objectives?
The company’s solution aimes to fill this void by providing an interactive viewer software tool connected to a state-of-the-art database with the most extensive library of pathological images to date. Using the software, radiologists can simply compare a patient’s MRI or CT scan against images of anatomical structures, search for matching diseases, view high-quality matching pathological case images, read information about disease types and find ways to verify the visual diagnosis. This enables radiologists to make faster and more accurate diagnoses, with an increased capacity of up to 15% in trials. This benefits both doctors and patients, who receive faster diagnoses and treatment especially during emergencies.
Radiologic knowledge becomes easily and extensively accessible to professionals in Europe and beyond.
The company has progressed from concept to prototype, with a working alpha version featuring several key modules. Test runs of the software have been conducted resulting in technological proof of concept. Further development is required to bring the overall system into full working mode. This will be part of the feasibility study. The corresponding Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is 7: a system prototype has been demonstrated in an operational environment.
Throughout the Project Phase 1 Period, the company conducted a six-month feasibility study to confirm the technical and economic viability of its business innovation project, in most aspects as planned and as announced in the Grant agreement.
The study was divided into six major sections in which core planning areas of the going to market of the product have been evaluated and major aspects of product development as well as user testing and engagement have been finalized. In a User Study, surveys were be carried out with beta testers, who participated in trials with the prototype software. Testers were radiologists and non-radiologist medical professionals at several hospitals. A subsequent Tech Study reviewed an alpha version of the software to assess architecture, loading time, security and functioning. This drew on pilot deployments of the prototype in both hospitals and independent practices. The Tech Study was overall successful and lead to a market ready product that successfully launched in June 2016. Two studies, focussing on intellectual property as well as on commercialization were conducted subsequently, confirming essentials of European and international rollout. Within the Commercialization Study section customer acquisition and core marketing plans have been elaborated pricing plans. This resulted in an executable market entry strategy that has since been put into action and has lead to first remarkable sales in Q3 2016. This latter study was accompanied by a partners & stakeholders study assessing planned distribution and multiplication channels. A strong number of relevant stakeholders has been acquired and a dependable network of professional experts has been welcomed to the PANTAVISION platform. In a survey on Dissemination & Communication, activities have been planned to fully exploit the results of the feasibility study, and communicate non-confidential findings to key stakeholders and relevant media.
Concurrently, prior business planning has been updated to enable the company to enact its growth strategy both for internal purposes and for beginning financing and cooperation communication.
Throughout the Project Phase 1 Period, the company conducted a six-month feasibility study to confirm the technical and economic viability of its business innovation project, in most aspects as planned and as announced in the Grant agreement.
The study was divided into six major sections in which core planning areas of the going to market of the product have been evaluated and major aspects of product development as well as user testing and engagement have been finalized. In a User Study, surveys were be carried out with beta testers, who participated in trials with the prototype software. Testers were radiologists and non-radiologist medical professionals at several hospitals. A subsequent Tech Study reviewed an alpha version of the software to assess architecture, loading time, security and functioning. This drew on pilot deployments of the prototype in both hospitals and independent practices. The Tech Study was overall successful and lead to a market ready product that successfully launched in June 2016. Two studies, focussing on intellectual property as well as on commercialization were conducted subsequently, confirming essentials of European and international rollout. Within the Commercialization Study section customer acquisition and core marketing plans have been elaborated pricing plans. This resulted in an executable market entry strategy that has since been put into action and has lead to first remarkable sales in Q3 2016. This latter study was accompanied by a partners & stakeholders study assessing planned distribution and multiplication channels. A strong number of relevant stakeholders has been acquired and a dependable network of professional experts has been welcomed to the PANTAVISION platform. In a survey on Dissemination & Communication, activities have been planned to fully exploit the results of the feasibility study, and communicate non-confidential findings to key stakeholders and relevant media.
Concurrently, prior business planning has been updated to enable the company to enact its growth strategy both for internal purposes and for beginning financing and cooperation communication.
The first module of the software – the Atlas on Prostate MRI – is publically available and is already in use by professionals in most European country as well as in several major countries across the globe. Until December 2016, more than 35 hospitals are early adopting the software. The software will be further developed, especially enlarging the scope of the Modules with further modules following, making it one of the key instruments and reference points in the radiologic professional stack.
The solution is expected to strengthen the use and efficiency of radiologic diagnoses and contribute to better healthcare across Europe and beyond.
The solution is expected to strengthen the use and efficiency of radiologic diagnoses and contribute to better healthcare across Europe and beyond.