Stroke is the second cause of morbidity and the leading cause of long-term disability. More than 1.1 million people in Europe suffer a stroke each year, which will increase to 1.5 million in 2025 due to an ageing population and unhealthy lifestyle. Stroke diagnosis and care is notoriously complicated. Some improvements have been made in the clinic, such as through the introduction of CT Perfusion imaging technology (CTP) to allow for quantitation. There are, however, many concerns with current implementations resulting in poor accuracy.
Nico.lab is an innovative start-up developing and marketing unique Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology which analyzes brain imagery – such as a CT or MRI scan – and provides health professionals with treatment advice. These analyses take just 3 minutes, thereby reducing time to diagnosis by hours and increasing objectivity. CTP is a vastly different technology and is thus not yet supported by our AI analysis. Therefore, we want to research and develop novel algorithms to natively analyze CTP data and provide quick treatment advice. We will thereby resolve shortcomings of the current technology and thus offer the best of both worlds: a clinically accepted, user-friendly protocol combined with our world-class accuracy and rapidity.
In this project we will hire an Innovation Associate that can combine medical, technical and scientific expertise to set-up R&D into novel CTP algorithms. The innovation associate will initiate and setup the research and development of CTP algorithms, specifically to analyze ischemic changes (blood flow) in the brain in people with stroke. With their specific knowledge they will analyze the technical and fundamental properties of CTP technology and translate this knowledge in a technical feasibility study in collaboration with the development team. This study will also result in a proof of principle algorithm. In parallel, they will research the practical feasibility of CTP integration into our StrokeViewer platform. The associate must align technical and practical feasibility, resulting in a comprehensive innovation roadmap for Nico.lab regarding CTP technology.
