On Friday, April 14th, the Center for Medical Imaging North-East Netherlands (CMI-NEN) symposium took place at the University of Twente. CMI-NEN is a consortium consisting of the University of Twente, RUG/UMCG, and Siemens Healthineers. CMI-NEN simulates developments and validates new medical imaging and diagnostic techniques. Additionally, it utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and health technology assessment (HTA) to determine effectiveness in healthcare.
A total of 80 participants attended this symposium at the TechMed Center of the University of Twente (UT). The morning program featured expert speakers in the CMI-NEN field, including presentations on the use of AI in medical imaging data (Tobias Heinmann, Siemens Healthineers, and Wiro Niessen), Digital United Training Concepts for Healthcare (DUTCH) (Laurens Reinke, Wenckebach/Skills lab UMCG), and new (economic) technologies in Alzheimer's disease (Ron Handels, MUMS, and Elsmarieke van de Giessen, Amsterdam UMC). After lunch, a tour of the Robotics & Mechatronics (RaM) department and the TechMed Center of the University of Twente followed.
Afternoon Program: Presentations on CMI-NEN Research Areas The afternoon program consisted of a series of short presentations (3 minutes + 2 minutes of discussion) divided into the 4 research areas of CMI-NEN (Imaging, Image-Guided Therapy, Data Science, and HTA). These were presented by researchers from Groningen and Twente. The second session of short presentations included 6 selected research proposals submitted for the CMI-NEN seed-money awards. Each proposal involved a collaborative project between Groningen, UT, and Siemens Healthineers. These proposals were pre-evaluated by the CMI-NEN committee, and the final score was determined by the final presentations of the 6 participants. The three-member jury consisting of UMCG-RUG, UT, and Siemens ultimately selected 3 winners. Each winner received €15,000 as a booster for the submitted research project (see photo). For the Imaging section, the winner was Niels van de Geest, a rheumatologist at UMCG (Dual [18F]FDG and [68Ga]FAPI-46 PET imaging for detection of arterial and musculoskeletal inflammation in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica). For the Image-Guided Intervention section, Dennis Kundrat, postdoc at UT, won (Safe MRI Workflows with Pneumatically-Propelled Endovascular Robotics: A Condition Monitoring Framework). For the Data Science section, Daniëlle van Veldhuizen, a PhD student at UMCG, was the winner (VirtuStent: Geometric Deep Learning for Virtual Stent Apposition Prediction).
Closing: Matchmaking The day concluded with a matchmaking reception & snack to provide everyone with the opportunity to find common ground on collaborative research projects. We can look back on a highly successful symposium.
Step into the TechMed Centre, nestled within the esteemed University of Twente, where the synergy of education, research, and valorization converge. We extend a warm welcome as you arrive, inviting you to sign in and then relax with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. This is a place where conversations come alive, where participants from various disciplines and backgrounds come together to exchange ideas, insights, and perspectives. Join the stimulating discussions, foster meaningful connections, and be part of the collaborative atmosphere that embodies the spirit of innovation at the TechMed Centre.
10.00 - 10.10
Opening CIM-NEN Symposium
Remke Burie | University of Twente - TechMed Centre
Domain keynote talks - HTA - Data Science - Dutch initiative - PET in Alzheimer
Ron Handels | Maastricht University Wiro Niessen | University of Groningen Laurens Reinke | UMCG Elsmarieke van de Giessen | UMCA
Indulge in the networking experience at our event! As you connect with fellow professionals and engage in meaningful conversations, a scrumptious lunch will be served in the cozy networking lounge. Enjoy delectable culinary delights while forging new connections, building partnerships, and exchanging ideas. Fuel your body and mind as you nourish your connections, and make the most out of this networking opportunity. Join us for a fulfilling experience where business meets culinary pleasure in our networking lounge!
During this programme-part, you can participate in one of the two guided tours below. So choose your favourite topic and walk with us through these labs and facilities.
RAM-lab
Robotics and Mechatronics (RAM) deals with the application of modern systems and control methods to practical situations. Focus is on robotics, as a specific class of mechatronic systems. The research is embedded in the TechMed institute. The research of the group is application-oriented. The main goal is to investigate the applicability of modern systems, imaging and control methods to practical situations in the area of robotics.
In the RAM Lab, we have quite a variety of robotic setups: basic 1 or 2 motor systems, precise motion control platforms, a production cell-like block circulator, several types of flying and wheeled mobile robots, humanoid walking robots, and setups for robotized needle insertion.
Duration: 40 min.
Location: Carre. a walk of 10 minutes towards the Ram lab
Spots: 20 persons
Medical imaging labs
The Medical Imaging Labs are dedicated to all sorts of preclinical imaging for research or educational purposes. The labs aim to facilitate preclinical diagnostic imaging and image guided interventions with phantoms or using human subjects. The Medical Imaging labs consist of several imaging suites & modalities. The Medical Imaging labs have been realized with financial support of the province of Overijssel.
Duration: 45 min.
Location: TechMed Centre
Spots: 2x 15 persons
14.00 - 14.20
Thematic pitches
14.00 - 14.05
HTA - AI in medical imaging
Madelon Voets - University of Twente
14.05 - 14.10
Data Science
Asmaa Haja - RUG
14.10 - 14.15
Imaging-guided therapy
Toon de Groot - University of Twente
14.15 - 14.20
Molecular Imaging
Bram van Leer - UMCG
14.20 - 15.00
Matchmaking break Bring your own promotional materials to explain your organization/project/department and engage in conversation with other participants. There is no organized schedule. Look for new collaborative partners on your own.
15.00 - 16.00
Seed money pitches
15.00 - 15.05
Niels van der Geest
PET imaging for detection of arterial and musculoskeletal inflammation in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica
15.05 - 15.10
Jasper Vonk
Identifying vulnerable plaques by targeted imaging of neovascularization
15.15 - 15.20
Lejla Alic
Effect of processing on quantitative PET radiomics
15.20 - 15.25
Daniëlle van Veldhuizen
Geometric Deep Learning for Virtual Stent Apposition Prediction
15.30 - 15.35
Arthur Wijsmuller
loCAlly advanced and Recurrent rectal cancer NAVigationAL surgery (CARNAVAL) 2.0
15.35 - 15.40
Dennis Kundrut
Safe MRI Workflows with Pneumatically-Propelled Endovascular Robotics: A Condition Monitoring Framework
15.40 - 16.00
Award ceremony seed money pitches Closing words
Welcome to our open discussion forum, where ideas flow freely and conversations are fueled by delicious drinks and snacks. Join us for a lively exchange of thoughts, opinions, and perspectives in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Sip on your favourite beverage, munch on tasty treats, and let the discussion begin!
This year the event is organized by the University of Twente - Technical Medical Centre. The previous edition took place in Groningen and was organized by UMCG and RUG.
CMI-NEN Consortium
Medical imaging and diagnostics is a collective term for all kinds of ways to make images of the inside of a man. These imaging techniques provide faster and more effective diagnoses and treatments and thus contribute substantially to cost savings and quality improvement in healthcare. A number of imaging technologies are used routinely, but, the need for innovation is still enormous, in the field of hardware development (robotic arms (for intervention), MRI coils, ultrasound sensors, etc.), software development (improving visualization, analysis and methodology), contrast agents and expanding application areas (to underpin the efficacy of a product). CMI-NEN 2.0, a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) established by RUG/UMCG, University of Twente and Siemens Healthineers Netherlands, aims to promote the above developments: develop and validate new techniques, and investigate their effectiveness in improving clinical care supported by AI and HTA.
University of Twente - TechMed Centre
Improving healthcare by personalized technology
The Technical Medical Centre (TechMed Centre) is a leading Innovation Hub impacting healthcare by excellent Research, Innovation and Educational programmes. It is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, ranging from research labs, preclinical testbeds and simulated hospital environments.In our mission to impact society, we stimulate entrepreneurship and enable (new) companies to grow within our regional Novel-T ecosystem. We collaborate with industry, hospitals, governments and insurance agencies on the development of new solutions for healthcare.
