Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - KERMA (A NEW VERIFICATION SYSTEM FOR COMPLEX RADIOTHERAPY TREATMENTS)

Teaser

Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally and radiotherapy (RT) as a common treatment. Plan, verify and deliver radiotherapy is a complex process and many needs regarding accuracy and efficiency remain unsolved, thus better tools are always looked-for. Kerma is a new...

Summary

Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally and radiotherapy (RT) as a common treatment. Plan, verify and deliver radiotherapy is a complex process and many needs regarding accuracy and efficiency remain unsolved, thus better tools are always looked-for. Kerma is a new cloud-based software platform to integrate, automate and personalized all tasks in RT workflow and which can use a new 3D detector to reach highest accuracy. It can help specialists to make better decisions and more efficiently define and deliver radiation treatments, avoiding errors and reducing damage to healthy tissues and side-effects. It was designed and developed to follow FMECA principles (Failure mode, effects and criticality analysis) and to comply with 2013/59/EURATOM directive. A machine learning approach coupled with a database allows to correlate data from treatment planning system (TPS), LINAC, verification detector and radiobiological factors to precisely reconstruct and adjust dose maps. We have developed and tested the components of the system and now we aim to optimize them, integrate the platform, validate it and prepare its commercialization by reaching key potential partners and users.

Work performed

We have preliminary designed, developed and tested all software and hardware components of the system and advanced in contacting potential partners, users and other stakeholders to secure project’s success. During the development of the feasibility study we were able to further identify the needs and requirements at the technical, commercial, legal and financial level and we now have a better understanding of the pending activities for the implementation of Kerma system in European hospitals, the market in which we want to penetrate, the existing potential customers for our company and their needs and the necessary financial support we have to get to complete the proposed activities and launch Kerma to market.

Final results

Kerma is the first software tool capable of automate and integrate in a unique environment the tasks related with the planning, verification and delivery of radiation treatment. It can also be coupled with an innovative 3D detector to make axial measures for verification and reach higher resolution and accuracy. In sum, the system is an easy to handle tool that helps radiology specialists in decision making and treatment refinement to improve the efficiency of radiotherapy, minimize risks and side-effect for patients and enhance the performance of the healthcare system and the life’s quality of cancer patients.