The PHOOTONICS project delivered significant technical advancements, primarily through the development of the PHOOTONICS HOME and PRO devices. These devices incorporate state-of-the-art photonic technologies designed for the early detection and management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The key innovations include:
Advanced Sensing Technologies: The devices integrate multiple sensing modalities, including thermal imaging, hyperspectral sensing, and mid-infrared spectroscopy.
User-Friendly Design: Both devices were designed with user experience in mind, ensuring ease of use for healthcare professionals and potentially for patients in a home setting.
In short, the PHOOTONICS Solution:
• incorporates a novel HOME eHealth solution with intuitive interfaces that does not require highly skilled personnel for its operation, and it is able to output a scan of the full foot area in an acceptable timeframe
• can be deployed along with the PRO version in hospitals, small clinics and in the patient’s home, which can promote frequent use
• provides a rich, multi-layer dataset of qualitative and quantitative medical indicators for DFU monitoring
• delivers a first of a kind operational / methodological know-how based on the clinical study experience
The clinical validation phase was a cornerstone of the project, aiding in the successful integration and troubleshooting of the devices, and demonstrating their effectiveness in providing a multi-layered dataset.
Clinical Studies Across Multiple Sites: Clinical studies were conducted at leading European hospitals:
• Attikon University Hospital (Athens, Greece)
• Leiden University Medical Center (Leiden, Netherlands),
• Victor Babes University Of Medicine and Pharmacy (Timisoara, Romania),
with the valuable help of Charité University Hospital (Berlin, Germany)
The Study in all clinical settings managed to include a statistically significant pool of patients which was a necessary prerequisite for the validation of the devices.
Market and Exploitation Potential
The PHOOTONICS project not only achieved its technical and clinical objectives but also laid a strong foundation for future commercialization amd established a clear roadmap for the post-project phase:
Comprehensive Exploitation Strategy: A detailed exploitation plan was developed, focusing on the commercialization of the PHOOTONICS devices. This plan includes potential patent filings, market entry strategies, and the establishment of strategic partnerships with key industry players.
Market Readiness: The devices are well-positioned for market entry, with clear pathways identified for obtaining necessary regulatory approvals. The project’s outcomes also highlight significant market opportunities, particularly in Europe, where diabetic foot ulcers pose a major public health challenge.
Dissemination and Communication
Regarding the Dissemination and Communication activities, there were several activities performed:
The maintenance and update of the project website and social media channels i.e. LinkedIn, Facebook, and X. A series of promotional videos has been designed and delivered to explain in full detail the scope and purpose of the Project and the PHOOTONICS devices, as well as to showcase the commencement of the clinical studies in hospital settings. A total of thirteen (13) publications and articles have been published throughout the course of the project.
