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Innovative 3-dimensional optoacoustic imaging for safe breast cancer screening

Project description

Safe 3D imaging system for breast tissue

Breast cancer is the second leading type of cancer in women worldwide. In 2018, 2 million new cases were recorded and over 620 000 deaths. Mass screening programmes and early diagnosis are based on mammography. However, this produces harmful side effects and false-positive results, requiring additional screenings. A new, more safe and precise method is a necessity. The EU-funded LOUISA 3D project will provide an innovative, non-invasive clinical breast imaging system using optoacoustic technology. This will produce scans at different wavelengths to visualise multiple features of the tissue, without patient discomfort. Project work will enable safe, precise detection and diagnostics of cancer and vascular diseases.

Objective

Breast cancer is a global challenge representing the leading cause of death for women worldwide: according to the
estimates of WHO, there were over 2 million new cases in 2018, with a projection of more than 3 million individuals by 2040.
It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage while early detection greatly increases the chances for successful treatment.
The 2 components of early detection are mass screening and early diagnosis. Currently, most diffuse population-based
screening programs for breast cancer are based on mammography. Weighing the harms against the benefits of these
programs has led WHO not to recommend mammography screening in women less than 50 years of age. Mammography
has been the medical industry’s “gold standard” breast cancer screening tool for nearly four decades. Today a number of
adverse effects, backed up by mounting scientific evidence, are limiting the use of mammography as a mass screening
device. LOUISA-3D uses safe light and sound to provide safer and accurate breast cancer screening. The LOUISA-3D
innovation consists of a novel optoacoustic imaging method that allows one to see under the skin through the tissues with
high spatial resolution by listening to the sound of light absorbed in the body which can be used for detection and diagnostics
of cancer and vascular diseases. During the phase 1 project, a go-to-market strategy and a supply chain will be established,
as well as further development plan will be drafted. Within the overall innovation project Tomowave will finalize its
engineering of LOUISA-3D before scaling up for clinical trials and system industrialization.

Call for proposal

H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

See other projects for this call

Sub call

H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1

Coordinator

TOMOWAVE SYSTEMS LTD
Net EU contribution
€ 50 000,00
Address
UNIT 6 QUEEN'S YARD WHITE POST LANE
E9 5EN LONDON
United Kingdom

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
London Inner London — East Tower Hamlets
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 71 429,00