ElectroPros was part of the unique collaborative EID research program between PHILIPS and UKA, aiming for breakthroughs in minimally-invasive interventional oncology. Using our novel interdisciplinary approach, the ESRs delivered unique approaches and beyond state of the art technology which tackle the shortcomings of the current solutions. These new insights enable UKA and PHILIPS to make next steps in improving electroporation as a cancer treatment method and make it in future available to patients for difficult to treat tumors, like in pancreas.
Specifically, in following area's progress was realized:
• Biophysics predictive models. To optimize electroporation treatments, it is important to understand the physical phenomena that determine the effect of a treatment. Biophysics modelled are developed to describe these effects and form the basis for developing optimized treatment devices and planning the procedures.
• Treatment efficiency measurement. Experiments on cell suspensions to fundamentally investigate this topic are designed. Furthermore, plant-models (e.g. potatoes) were developed to study the electroporation effect in biological structures based on electrode settings. This reduces largely the need for using animal experiments.
• Electrode design and prototype realization. A device was designed, having a single electrode entrance point. This design will also offer improved control on electric field shape and strength in different directions. Due to the single electrode principle, positioning effort is much less and tumor spill risk is reduced. Also strategies like applying voltage to the needle while extracting can be explored to avoid tumor spill. This new design can in future potentially lead to improved outcomes.
• Procedure planning. Mathematical algorithms that propose an optimal positioning and driving of the electrode beforehand are crucial. Based on this, a constrained optimization problem is defined, giving as output position and driving of the electrode to kill the tumor cells and spare critical surrounding structures. Different methods (gradient-based, non-gradient based) for solving the constrained optimization problem are tested, where efficiency of solving (fast computation) is a prerequisite. These algorithms can feed into procedure planning applications for physicians, to optimize the treatment for the patient.
Summarizing, the ESR's of ElectroPros advanced the next steps in development for making electroporation in future a mature cancer treatment option for more patients.
