Minimally invasive procedures are increasingly used for the treatment of cancer diseases. Currently, however, the performance of minimally invasive procedures is held back by the lack of modern imaging techniques available in the intervention room. Specifically, we believe that the lack of hybrid imaging (which has been very successful for diagnostic purposes) in the intervention room is unfortunate. We have developed a novel scanner (called ‘IXSI’) with a patented design that does allow for hybrid imaging in the intervention room. The scanner is optimized to use in a busy and dynamic environment and offers never-seen-before forms of image guidance.
In this ERC Proof of Concept grant, we have developed the technology and assessed the potential for the commercialization of IXSI. To this end, we have performed four tasks. First, for the promising use case of 166Ho-radioembolization for the treatment of liver cancer, we have developed the required technology and assessed the performance of IXSI. To this end we designed an innovative custom medium-energy cone beam collimator and implemented a Monte Carlo based reconstruction method for this modality Because of favorable results, our initial business model was based on radioembolization. Second, we have performed a competitor analysis which demonstrated that IXSI has unique properties compared to other devices. And third, together with a specialized subcontracting party in the field of (bio)medical science, we have developed a business case for IXSI and clarified our IP position. The conclusion of this ERC Proof of Concept grant is two-fold: i) there is a strong business case for IXSI concerning imaging during radioembolization, and ii) development of business cases for the newly identified applications may further improve the commercial value of IXSI.
