Precision predictive modelling in cardiovascular disease

Cardiac disease continues to be a significant burden on healthcare systems and impacts patients' physical function, quality of life and longevity. Predictive computational simulation tools are rapidly gaining acceptance in the medical field and precise, patient specific simulation models that will improve patient diagnosis of cardiac diseases has the potential to revolutionize how cardiologists assess cardiac function and dysfunction, timing of interventions and long-term monitoring of cardiac performance – all culminating to deliver better outcomes for patients suffering from heart disease. This is a multi-disiplinary project between Haukeland university Hospital and SINTEF involving cardiologists, fluid flow technology and computational simulations. SINTEF has long experience of developing flow simulation models for oil and gas processes and pipelines to be placed on the ocean floor. This wealth of experience and know-how has led to the application of human based flow simulation modelling, where much like oil and gas pipelines, human blood vessels and blood flow can be precisely simulated within known baseline parameters. Our group of SINTEF researchers have, together with clinicians at Haukeland University Hosiptal, applied these principles successfully to develop a simple, operator independent method to precisely diagnose a cardiac disease in an objective and evidence-based manner by combining individual patient imaging data, validated flow models and the predictive power of computer simulations. The primary objective of the qualification project has been to verify and validate the clinical need in a wider cohort of clinicians to better understand the commercial potential of our new method to warrant further development and investment. After successfully completing the milestones of this project, we have concluded that our technology is commercially viable. Through this project, we have determined that the best path to market is to launch our own start-up. By bringing our product to market, we will be able to help clinicians in the decision-making process, save valuable hospital resources, and result in better patient outcomes.

Etter en vellykket gjennomføring av milepælene i dette prosjektet, har vi konkludert med at teknologien vår er kommersielt levedyktig. De kortsiktige effektene er økt kunnskap innen prosjektteamet innenfor regulatorisk godkjenning, IP-strategi, brukerbehovet til de aktuelle klinikerne og ulike markedsstrategier. De langsiktige effektene som følge av prosjektets aktiviteter er kommersialisering av vår nyutviklede metode som igjen vil gi en forbedring i pasienters helse og livskvalitet, i tillegg til store besparelser innen helsesektoren. Basert på resultatene fra prosjektet har vi konkludert med at beste vei til markedet er å ta produktet ut i en egen start-up.