MedTechLabs has granted SEK 35 million for research in two new areas. One research team will focus on technologies to enable individualized treatment of fatal forms of stroke and carotid artery disease. The other will combine imaging technologies to detect the onset of epileptic seizures and thus provide better conditions for surgical treatment.
“In this call for proposals, the number of applications peaked and the two projects that have now been granted funding for five years aim to improve diagnostics in important disease areas: peripheral vascular disease and epilepsy. In addition to a clear link to clinical application, the projects have great potential to contribute to better treatment of broad patient groups both in Sweden and internationally”, says Clara Hellner, MedTechLab’s Chair and until recently Director of Research and Innovation, Region Stockholm.
“Improving health care in peripheral vascular disease: from population-based to individualized decision-making“
Research leaders are Ulf Hedin, KI and Christian Gasser, KTH. Granted amount: SEK 4.5 million per year 2025 -2029.
Stroke disease from carotid atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm rupture and aortic rupture account for a significant proportion of cardiovascular disease mortality with major consequences for both individuals and society. Today, these diseases are managed with strategies based on population studies where the choice of treatment is based on algorithms that optimize treatment outcomes for many, but far from all, patients. New technologies for molecular, morphological, biomechanical and imaging analyses make it possible to profile patients to individualize their risk assessment and treatment.
The new project is based on a translational research platform in collaboration between the Vascular Surgeon at Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet (KI), SciLifeLab and the Department of Materials and Structural Mechanics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Initially, the researchers will develop molecular markers in blood, biomarkers, through advanced protein analysis for patients at high risk in each disease. In the next step, high-resolution imaging will be implemented to characterize in detail molecular, morphological and biomechanical features for risk assessment of disease expression. With this approach, patients with established clinical risk factors for unfavorable disease progression can be stepwise risk assessed and efficiently selected for appropriate treatment. This optimizes both individual survival and the use of health care resources.
“Imaging the Epileptic Brain using Multimodal Quantum Sensors”
Research leaders are Daniel Lundqvist, KI and Val Zviller, KTH. Granted amount: SEK 2.5 million per year 2025 – 2029.
Epilepsy affects millions of people worldwide and for 30%, medication does not work, causing them to have severe and frequent seizures. For these patients, surgery is often the best option, but it requires precise identification of the area of the brain that causes the seizures – called the Seizure Onset Zone (SOZ). Current methods to find the right zone where seizures start include medical imaging techniques such as MRI, PET and EEG, but these techniques sometimes don’t give a clear picture, especially when there are no obvious abnormalities in the brain. The granted project therefore combines two innovative techniques: superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SN-SPD) and optically pumped magnetometers (OPM-MEG).
The first technique detects small changes in brain metabolism, while the second measures the magnetic field generated by brain activity – with incredible precision. By combining the techniques, the researchers hope to create a uniquely detailed picture of where and how abnormal brain activity occurs in the patient. This would not only help to more accurately pinpoint where seizures start, but also provide new insights into how seizures start and spread throughout the brain. The benefit lies in providing surgeons with better maps of where to operate. If successful, the project could therefore lead to more effective treatments and a better quality of life for people with epilepsy.
Research at both programs is expected to be up and running by January 2025.
MedTechLabs is a multidisciplinary center for patient-oriented research that will contribute to breakthroughs in the development of medical technology with relevance to the important challenges of healthcare and our major public diseases. In all programs, researchers and clinicians with both technical and medical expertise always collaborate. The center is jointly run by KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm.
For more information, please contact:
Liz Adamsson
Executive Director MedTechLabs
Phone: 08-790 60 84
E-mail: lizad@kth.se
Website: www.medtechlabs.se
Professor Mats Danielsson, a key figure at MedTechLabs, has been honored with the prestigious KTH Innovation Award for his pioneering contributions to medical imaging. The award, which includes a prize of 500,000 SEK (€43,400), recognises his exceptional achievements in advancing the field.
As a driving force behind the establishment of MedTechLabs, Professor Danielsson played a crucial role in fostering collaboration between KTH, Karolinska Institutet, and Region Stockholm. He has served as the research leader for the Spectral CT Imaging and Endovascular Techniques program and remains closely affiliated with the center.
From the Award Committee’s Motivation:
The 2024 recipient of the KTH Innovation Award has developed technology that has helped patients and doctors across the world. As the founder of several medical technology companies and contributor to over 100 patents, Mats Danielsson has developed and implemented solutions enabling earlier detection of tumors and inflammatory conditions. Mats Danielsson receives the KTH Innovation Award for his contributions to the field of physics of medical imaging, his creativity, grit and courage in going from research to impact, and his endless pursuit improving lives as well as the medical system.
Read an interview with Mats Danielsson on the KTH Innovation website here
Welcome to a MedTechLabs seminar on Crystal Growth and Characterization of CdTe for Radiation Detectors with Professor Roman Grill, Charles University, Prague on Tuesday, August 27, 15.00-16.00.
When: Tuesday Aug 27, 15.00-16.00
Location: Seminar room FA32, Albanova Main building, 3rd floor,
Roslagstullsbacken 21, Stockholm
Videoconference: https://lnkd.in/dQAneyz9
About: CdTe-based semiconductors are the best materials for preparing room temperature spectrally sensitive detectors of high energy radiation. They are used in various medical applications, security, non-destructive testing, space research, etc. In this talk, Professor Roman Grill reports on the achievements and knowledge he and his colleagues have gathered during more than 30 years of CdTe research at the Institute of Physics, Charles University. Basic principles of operation of radiation detectors are presented and the required material properties are defined to meet strict criteria set for high-quality detectors. The entire production line is commented on, starting with the growth of single crystals followed by after-growth annealing, material characterization, detector manufacture, and testing. Theoretical concepts describing all processes will be outlined. Throughout the talk, Roman Grill will emphasize problems unsolved so far that critically limit the production yield and cause the high price of detectors. Particularly, the talk encompasses the following topics: CdTe phase diagram, point defect engineering and self-compensation, chemical diffusion, contactless resistivity mapping, bias- and light-induced space charge formation and sensor polarization, transient current technique, and specific contact designs in sensors.
Since 2023, MedTechLabs organises a hybrid course in acute stroke, diagnosis, and treatment. The course is Lipus-certified and is aimed at residents and specialists who are interested in learning more about stroke and cerebral ischemia. One of them is Kristoffer Linder, a specialist in neurology at Capio S:t Görans Hospital, in Stockholm.
Hi Kristoffer, why did you choose to take our course?
I thought it sounded like an interesting approach, it was not like any course I had taken before. I got a tip about it via an email from a colleague. I thought that when you work in an acute hospital that receives a lot of acute stroke cases, it might be valuable to attend. In the hospital where I work, we take care of almost 1,000 patients with stroke or TIA every year. I also saw that there were many interesting names as lecturers as well, such as Håkan Almqvist, Åsa Kunze and Mikael Mazya. Trusted and knowledgeable course leaders give high credibility.
What do you think about the course organisation?
I think they have chosen a good division and balance between the radiology and the clinical parts of the stroke panorama, including a review of trobectomy. For me, it was good and important that you can take the course at your own pace. You watch the videos when you have time and can pause and go back through the material as needed. Otherwise, it can be difficult to get through longer course sections when you are busy at work.
What has the course given you?
The part where you had X-rays available and the opportunity to look at them yourself was very valuable to me. You can’t get that any other way. Of course, there are many databases and websites with X-rays, but here you could scroll through the material and at the same time get the necessary information about the symptoms, how long it’s been since the illness and so on. I have been a specialist for two years and have been working with stroke patients since I became a doctor more than ten years ago, but it was very good to be able to get this refresher course. The investigation and treatment of stroke has changed a lot in recent years but it’s also good to go back to basics, which this course also addresses.
Who do you think should take the course and why?
Can I answer everyone? Primarily those who are in training or already working as doctors. Both residents and specialists who have been working for a while can benefit greatly from the course. The course is good for updating your knowledge. I think it is also valuable for medical and radiologists working with stroke cases.
We talked with Patrik Jarwoll and asked him to introduce himself, why he joined MedTechLabs, and how he will contribute to the board.
Hi Patrik, what is You background?
I have a PhD from Chalmers Technical University and have worked for Varian inc. and Agilent Technologies in service, sales, marketing and RND before I started as an MR physicist at KERIC, Karolinska Experimental Research and Imaging Center at the Karolinska University Hospital.
And what do you do now?
Today I’m the head of KERIC, a Core Facillity situated in BioClinicum that supports research from academia as well as companies. KERIC is a preclinical facility that supports everything from surgical training to imaging in small animals with a special focus on translational research projects. We want to take projects from vitro or even earlier stages into clinical research in a safe way that will not risk any patient health. In many ways we can act as a bridge of technology to medical science. I am also Operations and Business manager at CIR, Centre for Imaging Research – a centre for world-leading imaging, jointly formed by Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, and Region Stockholm. CIR supports academic, clinical and industry users with access to imaging facilities and related services at the highest international level. CIR offers an exceptional and unique collection of core facilities for cutting-edge structural, functional, and metabolic in vivo imaging of all organs, in humans, non-human primates, large, and small animals.
What made You want to work with MedTechLabs?
I am very enthusiastic to support MedTechLabs and think it has an important role to link advanced technology such as AI, electronics, implants and material science to work in heath and clinical applications. An interesting condition, but also something that truly boast cross-disciplinary work, is the fact that you need a PI from both KTH and KI in all research at MedTechLabs. Another factor is that the project should reach clinical trials or clinical applications within 5 years. That really put the focus to projects that are applied and really can become a benefit to the public health within a reasonable timeframe.
How will You contribute to the board?
For me innovation and applied research has always been something I have had an interest and passion for. MedTechLabs is a bridge between KTH, KI and Karolinska University Hospital, which is important for innovation and progress in applied medical research. With my roles at KERIC and CIR and background from a more technical environment in academia as well as industry, I hope to contribute with supporting the work that can bridging technology with life science.
Welcome to an exciting seminar with Rolf Behling, one of the world's leading experts on x-ray sources for medical imaging and author of the book "Modern Diagnostic X-Ray Sources" (CRC press).
Title: Modern Diagnostic X-Ray Sources
Speaker: Rolf Behling, Department of Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Time: Monday June 3, 15.15-17.00, with time for questions afterwards
Location: FA32 (Albanova main building, third floor, opposite to the restaurant) and also on Zoom https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/63062020009
Abstract:
More than 100,000 diagnostic X-ray tubes are being newly installed or replaced year on year. Tubes for dental application, non-destructive testing and material analytics add to this number. This lecture will help to improve understanding the physics of X-ray production, in particular for “clinical” diagnostics. It will discuss functional principles of modern X-ray sources, design aspects, special features, radiation protection, and manufacturing technology. Why is vacuum technology not at all outdated? Will we find the X-ray LED, compact X-ray Laser machines or other alternative sources soon? Which breakthrough development is our group at KTH aiming at? The lecture may spark fascination for these vacuum electronic light sources off-the-mainstream.