Tyndall National Institute’s newly published annual report highlights significant breakthrough which could lead to improved treatment outcomes for cancer patients. New technology developed in collaboration with Boston Scientific can accurately measure radiation at site of tumour during radiation therapy.
Higher education minister Simon Harris officially launched Tyndall’s 2022 annual report.
Higher education minister Simon Harris.
He commended the ground-breaking research project undertaken by Tyndall in collaboration with Boston Scientific: “For more than 40 years, Tyndall has played a key role in securing Ireland’s international prominence within the ICT industry and the success of this project is further proof of Ireland’s world-leading research capability. Boston Scientific’s continued investment and expansion in Ireland is a strong endorsement of Ireland’s education and research systems.
Advanced technology
"This research collaboration illustrates how the application of advanced technology, developed at Tyndall, has a profound effect on the lives of citizens, as well as industry, through smart medical devices, high-speed telecommunications, robotics and automation, and the microelectronic chips that enable all of ICT.
"As a leader in industry-academia collaboration, I am reassured that Tyndall will continue to play its unique role in securing Ireland’s future as a worldwide technology leader, whilst supporting key technology companies and SMEs, both nationally and internationally.”
Researchers at Tyndall, in partnership with Boston Scientific business partners, clinicians from Cork University Hospital, and designers from design partners developed a smart implantable fiducial marker, which can accurately measure radiation at the site of a tumour during radiation therapy.
Boston Scientific Cork said: “Boston Scientific Cork is proud to be part of the ground-breaking research of an implantable and injectable micro sensor, which is capable of supporting radiologists in accurately measuring radiation doses at the target site, while minimising radiation to adjacent healthy tissues.
Tyndall chair Dr Denis Doyle and Professor William Scanlon, CEO.
Minimally invasive procedures
"The research is a significant milestone in the development of this type of sensor system, which can be delivered through minimally invasive procedures. The collaborative research programme utilised Tyndall’s world-class facilities and expertise in advance technology platforms.
"This, combined with Tyndall’s access to clinical specialists in radiology and use of design thinking methodology with industry leaders, played a significant role in this collaboration for Boston Scientific Cork's innovation strategy.”
This cutting-edge research resulted in a prototype of what is almost certainly the world’s smallest Radiation Field Effect Transistor (RADFET) system, packaged within a fiducial coil.
The markers are small metal objects placed on the patient's skin or implanted within the body, in or near a tumour in preparation for radiation therapy, which helps pinpoint the tumour’s location with greater accuracy and allows the treatment team to deliver the maximum radiation dose to the tumour while sparing healthy tissue. This technology could lead to significantly improved treatment outcomes for patients.
Professor William Scanlon, Tyndall CEO, said: "This collaboration between Tyndall and Boston Scientific further strengthens Tyndall’s position as a world-leader in deep-tech research.
"It is our unique ability to apply our expertise in semiconductor materials, devices and systems in partnership with industry that underpins successful collaborations like this. We will continue to build on more than 40 years of research excellence and industrial impact, while addressing societal challenges through deep-tech innovation.”