Research project combines ultrasound technology, computer modeling &
neurosurgery experts to find a better way to measure intracranial
pressure from the football field to the battlefield
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- (Business Wire)
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today announced it has teamed up
with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to research the use
of Philips ultrasound technology and MIT physiological modeling as a
less invasive way to measure intracranial pressure (ICP), an essential
tool in managing patients with brain injuries. It could also allow
doctors to use the measurement on less critical patients, who might not
normally be considered for such monitoring. During the study, Philips
will work with leading experts in the field of neurosurgery to test a
core estimation algorithm that has been developed by the Integrative
Neuro-monitoring and Critical Care Informatics Group in MIT’s Institute
for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES).
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Philips mobile ultrasound technology to help researchers find a non-invasive way to measure intracranial pressure, as essential element in determining brain injuries. (Photo: Business Wire)
Today’s standard ICP measurement procedures require surgical penetration
of the skull or lumbar spine and insertion of a catheter into the
cerebrospinal fluid space or neural tissue posing a high risk of
infection and damage to vital brain structures. Due to the invasive
nature of the procedure, only a small number of patients who may require
ICP monitoring are typically tracked and benefit from it – often those
suffering from the most severe head injuries. This trial could create
the opportunity to take ICP measurements in an expanded group of
patients who would not routinely be monitored because of the health
risks involved with measuring ICP.
“The current invasive method of measuring ICP is used only in the
sickest patients, but knowledge of ICP is potentially important in a
much broader population,” says Thomas Heldt, the Hermann L.F. von
Helmholtz Career Development Professor at MIT's IMES and assistant
professor in MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer
Science, who is principal investigator of the study. “Our goal is to
develop a noninvasive method of measuring ICP that could be used in
treating a much wider range of conditions. This project gives us an
exciting opportunity to test innovative hardware and modeling techniques
at the bedside in real time."
Over the next two years, Philips will work with MIT to research a fully
non-invasive and calibration-free approach to estimating ICP and thereby
enable better diagnosis and triage in cases where a patient has suffered
a brain injury (football field, ambulance, battlefield, and emergency
room). Using Philips portable ultrasound technologies and monitoring
technologies, as well as the MIT model-based estimation approach,
researchers hope to get the value of ICP without penetrating the skull.
Further, researchers hope to expand the use of the technology to
non-traditional patients, such as those with unexplained headaches, mild
and moderate traumatic brain injury, or even coma patients, who normally
would not have access to this type of procedure, but who could
potentially benefit from it.
Philips recently announced the opening of its new Philips Research
headquarters for North America in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where it
will perform these types of research projects in close collaboration
with local academic and healthcare partners. Focused on understanding
how medical technologies can be adapted to tackle some of society’s most
pressing issues, Philips hopes that this type of research can lead to
meaningful innovations that can help reduce care costs and improve
patient results.
“Today it is very difficult to gauge the level of head trauma someone
has sustained at the scene of an incident, because there is no quick and
effective way to gauge the pressure inside the skull,” said Dr. Joseph
Frassica, Chief Science Officer of Philips Research North America.
“Through this research, we hope to use the same technology most people
associate with the first images of their child, in a way that has the
potential to help us to differentiate a concussion from a serious
traumatic brain injury and everything in between. Whether you’re a high
school football player, in the NFL, a soldier in the battlefield, or
unfortunate enough to be injured in an auto accident – we hope that this
technology will give first responders a better way to determine if you
have a life-threatening brain injury and allow faster and more accurate
triage and treatment. By improving access and response times, these
types of solutions have the potential to really impact patient outcomes.”
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and
well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through
meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and
Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2014 sales of
EUR 21.4 billion and employs approximately 108,000 employees with sales
and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in
cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting
solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and
grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150930006523/en/
Contacts:
Philips North America
Lea Armstrong, +1-978-659-3467
Public
and Media Relations
lea.armstrong@philips.com
Source: SpineGuard
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