Laser-spectroscopic sensing device for diagnostic assessment of sinusitis

Project Information

SINUSLIGHT

Grant agreement ID: 790786

DOI

10.3030/790786

Project closed

EC signature date 1 December 2017

Start date 1 January 2018

End date 30 June 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Biotechnology

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

GPX MEDICAL AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SINUSLIGHT (Laser-spectroscopic sensing device for diagnostic assessment of sinusitis)

Reporting period: 2018-01-01 to 2018-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The feasibility study has comprised a market analysis and an evaluation of the technical requirements for commercialisation of a hand-held medical device for diagnostic assessment of sinusitis.

GPX Medical develops laser-based gas measuring technology with the aim of medical applications. This technology can be used for analysis of gas-filled cavities in the human body, such as the sinuses. The technology can be implemented as a hand-held instrument, based on laser spectroscopy, to be used within health-care to aid in diagnosing sinus related problems, e.g. sinusitis. The instrument provides information on the open/air filled sinus cavity size, the oxygen concentration in the cavity and thereby the ventilation status of the sinus. The technology is non-invasive and safe to use.

The improved diagnosing possibilities that come with this information can improve care, reduce cost of health care, and reduce the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics which is related to the global threat of antibiotic resistance. The number of deaths related to antibiotic resistance was about 700 000 in 2015 and is expecting to grow to about 10 million persons/year in 2050 if nothing is changed.

The diagnostic tools used for suspected sinusitis today are either not useful enough and hard to interpret, or are painful and very time consuming since laboratory analysis of samples is needed. It would clearly be very valuable to have a better, simple tool for a quick evaluation of sinus related problems. Such a tool would help the physician making a correct diagnosis and better select which patients need further referral or treatment.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The study has identified the market and the user needs, as well as the resources and financial requirements needed to commercialise the technology. We are convinced that the project is well worth pursuing. The business case is realistic and convincing, with a potential return of investment 3-4 years after product launch. In addition, it is likely that government subsidies in some countries will be implemented that support technologies that combat antibiotic resistance, making the business case even more compelling.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project has evaluated the business case for the development of a device to be used for fast and reliable diagnostics of the sinus. The condition of sinusitis relates to about 20% of all prescribed antibiotics and by providing a tool for the diagnostics, the prescription of antibiotics can be reduced which would aid in the global struggle against antibiotic resistance. On the company scale, the development of this application in addition to the development of diagnostics of the lungs of premature babies, would not only grow GPX Medical but also connecting businesses like consultants, suppliers, distributors and other collaboration partners.

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