Meduni Vienna: CD laboratory for patient-centered breast imaging opened
Vienna - Breast cancer, by far the most common cancer in women, is all the more treatable the earlier it is detected. At MedUni Vienna's newly opened Christian Doppler Laboratory for Patient-Centered Breast Imaging, researchers are working on the development and application of diagnostic tools that are not only more precise than current methods, but also more comfortable for patients. The aim is to further increase acceptance of the sometimes life-saving screening tests.
In their work, the researchers, led by Pascal Baltzer from MedUni Vienna's Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, are focusing on the development and application of Triple S breast imaging: soft, safe, smart are the technological innovations that the team will be researching over the next few years. For example, mammography, one of the main methods for detecting breast cancer, is to be made even more reliable through the use of AI (artificial intelligence). A portable breast coil is to be developed to make breast examinations using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) more comfortable. This will allow the procedure to be carried out in the supine position instead of the current prone position, which is much more comfortable for patients. At the same time, work is underway to optimize or reduce the use of contrast agents for both methods. “Breast imaging should be as gentle as possible for patients, be able to be individually adapted to them and deliver highly precise results,” says CD Laboratory Director Pascal Baltzer, summarizing the aim of the new research facility, which is funded by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics GmbH, Bracco Imaging S.p.A., ALSIX GmbH, b-rayZ AG and the public sector.
Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs promotes cooperation between science and companies
Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs Martin Kocher emphasizes the social importance of the research topic: “Early detection of breast cancer makes an important contribution to preventive healthcare. Increasing participation in the screening program is therefore an important goal. To this end, this CD laboratory is focusing on research into new, more patient-friendly technologies as well as investigating health economic aspects. This will benefit patients, Austria as a research location and corporate partners.”
Renowned companies have been won as corporate partners, including Siemens Healthineers. Joachim Bogner, Managing Director of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics GmbH, emphasized at the opening of the CD laboratory for patient-centered breast imaging: “Early detection is crucial for the prognosis of breast cancer. The aim is to motivate more patients to undergo screening. Together with the Christian Doppler Laboratory, we want to create added value for patients by expanding precision medicine and improving the patient experience. For years, we have been gaining valuable results from such high-level research collaborations, which flow directly into research and development at Siemens Healthineers. We are delighted to be able to support this new CD laboratory in the proven manner of advancing breast imaging in a patient-friendly, precise and sustainable way.”
Martin Krix (Medical Planning and Management X-ray & Ultrasound, Global Medical & Regulatory Affairs) presented the importance of Bracco Imaging S.p.A. in the development of contrast agents to improve the diagnostic accuracy of biomedical imaging at the opening of the CD laboratory. ALSIX GmbH, a spin-off company of MedUni Vienna researchers, is also on board, specializing in the development, production and distribution of tailor-made hardware for magnetic resonance imaging, as Managing Director Gerald Pressl explained. Among other things, b-rayZ AG, a spin-off of the University Hospital Zurich, is dedicated to the science of more efficient, precise and sustainable breast cancer diagnostics using AI support to improve not only the examination results themselves, but also the entire breast imaging workflow, explained CEO Cristina Rossi.
“In the month of October, which is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, the opening of this CD lab underscores our commitment to research that focuses on patient care and quality of life. With their work, the scientists will contribute to making imaging procedures for early detection gentler, more precise and more effective. In this way, we want to strengthen confidence in breast cancer diagnostics and encourage even more women to take advantage of these important examinations. We are delighted that our corporate partners and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economy are supporting us in achieving this important goal,” says Michaela Fritz, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation at the Medical University of Vienna.
About Christian Doppler Laboratories
In Christian Doppler Laboratories, application-oriented basic research is carried out at a high level, with outstanding scientists cooperating with innovative companies. The Christian Doppler Research Association is internationally recognized as a best-practice example for the promotion of this cooperation. Christian Doppler Laboratories are jointly funded by the public sector and the participating companies. The most important public funding body is the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economics.