Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Which antibiotic is most effective against which bacterial infection? This patient-specific quest is a daily reality for many healthcare providers. Machine learning techniques are increasingly being utilized to aid in this endeavor. However, little is known about which technique yields the best results. A group of students compared two commonly used techniques.
They conducted this research as part of their graduation project for Clinical Technology, the joint bachelor's program offered by TU Delft, LUMC and Erasmus MC. The presentation during last week's final symposium earned them one of the two Medical Delta KTO WOW! Awards.
The research project was one of the twenty-two presented during the event, which attracted a large audience. Another student team displayed a prototype for a new surgical stapling device aimed at reducing the risk of anastomotic leaks. They, too, received a Medical Delta KTO WOW! Award from the jury.
Which machine learning technique predicts the best?
Antimicrobial resistance refers to bacteria becoming less susceptible to certain types of antibiotics, making infection treatment more challenging as antibiotics lose their effectiveness. Therefore, it is crucial to quickly determine the resistance profile of a bacterium to administer the appropriate antibiotic.
Two commonly used machine learning techniques, 'MALDI-TOF MS' and 'WGS,' assist in identifying bacterial species. Although both show promising results, their performances have not been directly compared. The students conducted a comparison based on the analysis of over one hundred bacterial samples. As a result, they provided proof of the principle that a combination of both techniques in an ensemble model yielded the best results, closely followed by the WGS-based model. They also identified the 'SVM' algorithm as providing the best results. The project provides avenues for further research.
Neater stapling
Annually, approximately 700,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The most common treatment involves the removal of a part of the intestine, with the ends being reconnected using surgical staplers. Anastomotic leaks, caused by overlapping rows of staples, are a common complication of this procedure. Literature research conducted by a student group revealed multiple techniques used to prevent overlapping rows of staples. However, these techniques are time-consuming and require an elevated level of surgical skill.
To address this issue, the student team developed three concepts, with the 'Hooked Anvil' concept proving to be the most promising. Its specific mechanism prevents overlapping rows of staples. The students transformed it into a functional 3D-printed prototype.
The students set up a testing apparatus and demonstrated that using the Hooked Anvil significantly reduced the occurrence of overlapping rows of staples. Since the Hooked Anvil can seamlessly integrate into the current surgical process, it can be rapidly and easily implemented in this surgical area, thereby reducing the risk of overlapping rows of staples and potential complications.
Greener healthcare
Another remarkable research project aimed to contribute to greening healthcare. A student team presented a design for a sterilizable, and reusable inflation device used in a common medical procedure called angioplasty. The current inflation device is intended for single use only. The students explored possibilities for a design that could be sterilized and reused. Three concept designs were 3D-printed and assessed for functionality, safety, and cleanability. The 'Double Nut' concept emerged as the most successful design.
While achieving full reusability for the device is not currently feasible, and it remains uncertain whether sterilization is the most sustainable option, the students aimed to raise awareness within the medical community about the substantial CO2 footprint of the healthcare sector and advocate for a transition to a more sustainable healthcare system.
Developing with the target audience
Innovation through collaboration with the target audience: this is the key to further scaling up their innovations for the South Holland-based company Momo Medical. As winners of the audience award at the National Healthcare Innovation Prize, they shared their insights with the audience, emphasizing the importance of involving the intended target audience in the ongoing development of their innovations. Through compelling examples, Momo Medical demonstrated how this approach leads to new insights and applications. During the break presentation hosted by Medical Delta, the company provided an overview of the opportunities and challenges encountered during the crucial scaling phase of healthcare innovation.
