The surgical treatment of oncological diseases
poses complex challenges for modern medicine. Tumors are often difficult to
identify during surgical procedures. In practice, this can lead to incomplete
tumor removal and postoperative complications. Existing techniques are often
limited in their precision, as current marking methods are associated with
risks. This is where the Interreg VI A project PRECISE comes in.
The consortium brings together the expertise of
innovative companies, certified clinical cancer centers, and experienced
academic institutions. Together, they develop and evaluate new solutions for
more precise tumor surgery.
In the PRECISE project, seven partners from
Germany and the Netherlands collaborate closely. The consortium includes three
innovative companies: KánMedim UG, U-Needle B.V., and Chiwen B.V. It is further
complemented by the University of Groningen, the University Hospital Oldenburg,
the Mathias Hospital Rheine, and the EUREGIO BioMedtech Center at FH Münster,
which acts as the lead partner.
The aim of this cross-border collaboration is
to sustainably improve medical care for patients with esophageal and colorectal
cancer. By combining medical technology, surgery, and artificial intelligence,
novel solutions are being developed to make surgical procedures more precise
and safer.
A key technological milestone of the project is
the development of an innovative near-infrared fluorescence marker for
long-term applications. This marker enables clear visualization of tumors. Even
difficult-to-detect tumors become clearly visible to the surgical team,
supporting complete and tissue-sparing resection.
Building on this, ultra-fine, sharp
microinjection needles are being developed for the highly precise delivery of
the fluorescence marker directly into the target tissue. Compared to
conventional endoscopic needles, this new technology reduces the risk of tissue
damage and thereby increases patient safety.
These innovations are complemented by the
development of an AI-based system for detecting the fluorescence marker. In
clinical practice, weak fluorescence signals are often difficult to identify.
The artificial intelligence developed within the project detects such signals
in real time and visualizes them clearly within the surgical field. The
development of this system is supported by the generation of video data within
clinical studies conducted at the participating cancer centers.
PRECISE is closely aligned with the needs of
clinical users, cancer patients, hospitals, and medical device manufacturers.
The solutions developed aim to sustainably improve medical care. In combination
and with successful further development towards market approval, they have the
potential to significantly advance oncological surgery and strengthen patient
care across the entire Interreg region in the long term.
