CDTI project

This project has been funded by NEOTEC grant from the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI) of the Ministry for Science and Innovation of the Government of Spain

The title of our NEOTEC project is “Medical Image Computing for Sustainable Development (MIC4SusDev)”. It will be developed during two years (2021 and 2022) with a budget of 275.000€, including a grant from CDTI of 192.500€.

The most relevant aspect in the proposals supported by the NEOTEC program must be a business strategy based on the development of technology (technology must be the competitive differentiating factor of the company) leveraged by the startup’s own R&D activity.

TrainUs

Ultrasound-guided procedure training system

Diagnostic ultrasound is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of internal anatomical structures. Ultrasound images can provide valuable information for diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions.

Real-time ultrasound guidance has become the standard of practice in a variety of needle insertion procedures including central venous catheterization, peripheral nerve blocks, and biopsies. Ultrasound guidance is useful for real-time visualization of the target and surrounding structures. However, lack of training may prevent clinicians from using ultrasound imaging to its potential.

Ebatinca S.L. is currently developing a low-cost training platform for ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-guided procedures in low- and middle-income countries. We are developing a customized software application to assess the performance of users during ultrasound image acquisition and ultrasound-guided procedures.

The platform has been tested with different configurations for various procedures and with different hardware devices, as summarized below in the task description that follows. While we can now easily reconfigure the platform to add or modify procedures, we have focused primarily on the following procedures, all of which are ecoguided:

  • Basic skills
  • Vascular cannulation
  • Breast biopsy
  • Lumbar insertion
  • Nephrostomy
  • Ultrasound-guided delivery
Evaluation of procedure performed during basic exercise. In this case, the application displays a graph representing the distance between the needle tip and the target point.
Advanced training exercise with the TrainUS application. The objective of this exercise is to train the ultrasound-guided needle insertion in one of the blood vessels of the simulated anatomy. The user must locate the corresponding blood vessel and insert the needle following an appropriate trajectory.
3D visualization during advanced exercise performance for nephrostomy training.
Example of a simulated ultrasound image in an ultrasound-guided lumbar insertion training scenario. The image simulation algorithm provides an estimated image for each probe position.
Example of a simulated ultrasound image in an ultrasound-guided vascular cannulation training scenario. The image simulation algorithm provides an estimated image for each probe position. In this example, you can see how the algorithm simulates both the appearance of the blood vessel and the appearance of the inserted needle.
Ultrasound probe positioning using inertial sensor for fetal ultrasound image simulation.
Ultrasound imaging of phantom fabricated by combining liquid vinyl and cellulose
Ultrasound image acquisition of the lumbar spine with portable ultrasound machine connected to smartphone for image visualization.
Augmented reality visualization during breast phantom biopsy simulation.

Phantoms

Low cost phantoms for training

Several methodologies for the fabrication of low-cost phantoms are evaluated. Phantoms are very useful elements in medical training, as they allow the simulation of patients’ anatomy, creating an ideal training environment for students. In this way students can train skills in clinical procedures before applying them on real patients.

In this project we have evaluated the use of different materials for the fabrication of ultrasound phantoms, evaluating their performance in terms of their acoustic characteristics.

Phantoms manufactured with different methodologies to be evaluated with ultrasound.
Bottom view of breast phantom fabricated using liquid vinyl and cellulose. Inside the soft tissue, tumor masses simulated with different materials have been incorporated: silicone, vinyl, and chalk.

Marketing

Product presentation

During the project implementation period, EBATINCA has participated in various events in the technology and medical device sector, which has allowed it to identify market niches both nationally and internationally. In West Africa, the platform developed by the company has been positively valued for integration into the training processes of resident doctors and medical students due to the lack of training in specific medical skills and procedures. In more developed markets such as Canada, France and the United States, the need is focused on the development of applications of interest in clinical research. EBATINCA has organized training sessions to build trusting relationships with potential customers and partners, committed to sustainable development objectives and knowledge transfer. This new approach to the market has allowed the company to create networks and relationships of mutual trust with potential customers.

Visit of Ebatinca to the Cheikh Anta Diop University and the military school of health of Senegal during the health days organized by the faculty of medicine.
Professionals from the hospitals of Nouakchott (Mauritania) during a Training of Trainers session, listening to the explanation of Dr. David García Mato (EBATINCA).

Certifications

During the project, EBATINCA has obtained the following certifications, which guarantee the procedures in project management and development