Oskar is a post-doctoral researcher working with MedTechLab researchers Peder Olofsson, KI, and Henrik Hult, KTH, specialising in bioelectronic medicine. We asked him to tell us a little about himself and his research.
Describe your research – what is it about and what do you want to achieve?
“The vagus nerve is an important part of the parasympathetic nervous system and is connected to several different internal organs. Studies have already shown how stimulating the vagus nerve with an external voltage source can reduce inflammation in the body. Our goal is actually the opposite: Is it possible to detect inflammation by reading the electrical activity of the nerve? We are trying to achieve this in experiments on mice, where my job is to analyse the data from the experiments.”
How can what you do benefit patients and health services and when?
“Continuous measurements of the degree of inflammation in the body open up completely new possibilities for treating inflammation. This is partly because you can get information about what is happening at an early stage, but also because of the possibility of immediate feedback on the interventions you make. When this will be available in healthcare, I dare not guess. The first step is to succeed in the lab.”
What are the main challenges you have encountered so far in the project? How are you addressing them?
“A major challenge is that we don’t know if what we are trying to do is possible with current technology. The vagus nerve consists of about 100,000 nerve fibres and the data we are interested in is probably only represented in a fraction of these. Moreover, the data is very noisy. Because of all the processes going on simultaneously in a body, it is virtually impossible to perform the same experiment twice. We try to address this by using as robust, noise-free methods as possible, both in the experiments themselves and in the data analysis.”
What is a typical day like for you at work?
“I basically just stand in front of the computer and write, programme and think. Sometimes I take walks to clear my head. This may sound monotonous, but I am very happy. Because I only need my computer and a pen and paper, I can work almost anywhere and at any time, which makes my life as a parent of young children much easier.”
What do you like about working across disciplines? What have you learnt through this?
“It’s very stimulating to talk to people with different specialisations. I think it’s clear how our fields are difficult in very different ways and that it forces us to approach problems from very different angles. I also think that a prerequisite for successful interdisciplinary work is a high level of expertise in all the different disciplines that will be working together, which I feel we have in our project.”
What motivates you during tough periods in research or when you are stuck?
“I think I have one of the best jobs in the world: I have a lot of freedom to solve incredibly interesting problems with incredibly knowledgeable and interesting people. Being able to continue to be part of the academic world is a very strong motivator. When I get stuck on a question, I usually try to do something else for a while. Or rephrase the question to make it easier to solve. One thing I really appreciate about research is that you often solve different questions than you thought you would solve when you started, but that this is also considered good.”
Finally, tell us about your background, why you became a researcher and what you want to do in the future
“After studying at Chalmers, I worked for six years in industry, at Volvo and Ericsson. But I gradually realised that it wasn’t really my thing. I thought there was too much focus on processes and too little focus on the actual product. A year as a research engineer in computer science confirmed that academia was a better fit for me, so I applied for, and got, a PhD position in mathematical statistics. I really love the freedom and the opportunity to develop that is offered in the Academy, and hope that I will manage to stay here. My dream is to work on theory and method development in statistics and machine learning, and to use my knowledge in applied projects in all sorts of different topics – much like this position.”
– Interdisciplinary and industrial experience gives Moa Yveborg Tamm confidence as the EU project 1Micron gets underway.
1Micron is the flagship project funded by the EU’s EIC Pathfinder Open programme to develop an ultra-high resolution X-ray sensor for real-time detection of cancer margins in surgical procedures. If successful, the project could revolutionise current pathology and imaging. Moa Yveborg Tamm is coordinating the research, which is being carried out by researchers in three countries. Moa is returning to academia after several years working in industry at GE Healthcare.
Hi Moa, what are you up to right now?
“We have just started creating the project, which is based on the participation of several partners. Now it’s about getting everyone into 1Micron and we have a kick-off already on 22 May. Then everyone will meet together for the first time, and we can start discussing the technical aspects together. At this stage, you don’t know how much control is needed, it will only become clearer when the discussion on deliverables, decisions and forms of cooperation is actively pursued.”
How many people are actually involved in 1Micron?
“In addition to Mats Danielsson and Mats Persson from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Johan Hartman from KI, the Italian nuclear physics institute INFN, the University of Trento and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are involved. In addition, there are industrial partners such as Prismatics Sensors AB. Our partners are a key to the success we hope for. For example, the medical researchers are helping with validation so that we can understand how and in what way the new sensor we will develop can make a difference in clinical applications.”
The interdisciplinary nature of the project and its industrial links make it complex?
“Yes, and here I feel it is good that I have learnt what it is like to work interdisciplinary and in industry. In my experience, it is often necessary to have a systems approach right from the start. It sets some of the framework for how you need to rig the project and the importance of not locking yourself into a solution that is not scalable early on. It’s okay not to have all the answers from the start, as long as you have really good people involved in the project. Which we do.”
It still sounds like a tough assignment, why did you take it?
“Why did you take it? ‘It’s a super fun project, something that could revolutionise medical imaging. A bit like what we’ve done before with the development of the first photon-counting CT with silicon detectors, but still completely new. There is the potential to do something amazing and with very exciting technology. Plus, I get to work with really good partners who know their fields. I would say that we put together the perfect team with 1Micron!”
And what happens after the kick-off on 22 May?
“We have already started working towards the deliverables we have set up, but now the work is intensifying. A key piece is the sensor design and showing how it can achieve the phase contrast we are aiming for, in real time. One of the early specifications will revolve around this, along with the other hardware needed to enable phase contrast. Another thing that will happen this year is that Karolinska Institutet and TUM will provide us with a baseline to compare against, by collating how well current digital detectors perform.”
What are you most looking forward to in the project?
“I think I’m looking forward to being part of the biggest thing to happen in medical imaging in a long time. It will of course be a challenge, but we have physics on our side and a hand-picked team, which also gives us really good odds. What I also appreciate is that we have a partner from industry who knows a lot about the technical requirements of what will then be out in the hospitals. An ‘insider’, you might say. You don’t always have that in academic research projects, and it’s also something that suggests that 1Micron can achieve its goals.”
Read more about the project on the 1MICRON website
On Friday 4 April, the final seminar for MedTechLab's course in ‘Acute stroke, diagnosis and treatment’ was held at BioClinicum in Solna. 16 course participants received a full-day summary and discussion on the diagnosis and treatment of stroke and cerebral ischemia.
The seminar was led by Håkan Almqvist, Consultant Neuroradiologist, CAPIO S:T GÖRANS SJUKHUS AB (right), Åsa Kuntze Söderqvist, Consultant, PhD, Neuroradiologist and Neurointerventionist. ME Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital (middle), and Michael Mazya, Consultant, Associate Professor, Neurologist. ME Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital (left).
“I think it was a successful course. We had participants from many parts of the country and had a good discussion where many were active. The fact that the course participants are radiologists, neurologists and internal medicine specialists favours the discussions and increases the understanding between participants with different specialties about how they think and make decisions about treatment,” said Åsa Kuntze Söderqvist afterwards.
Håkan Almqvist said that part of the discussion was about how the investigation is organised in different regions affects how an acute stroke investigation is carried out. Some regions have purchased automatic interpretation of CT perfusion, but not Region Stockholm, for example, where the distances are shorter, and the triage of patients is slightly different. However, Karolinska has extensive experience of CT perfusion, which has been used for about 20 years in connection with acute stroke investigations.
“The future AI support in stroke investigations may be based on a CT/MR perfusion to find even more peripheral vascular occlusions, provided that endovascular reperfusion has a positive effect. This course provides the basics of what perfusion disorders in the anterior circulation look like and there are some pitfalls. There are some difficulties in stroke investigations, especially in the posterior circulation where perfusion software works poorly today. Therefore, it is good if many have attended courses dealing with acute stroke”.
A new round of courses will be held in autumn of 2025.
MedTechLabs has granted SEK 35 million for research in two new areas. One research team will focus on technologies to enable individualized treatment of fatal forms of stroke and carotid artery disease. The other will combine imaging technologies to detect the onset of epileptic seizures and thus provide better conditions for surgical treatment.
“In this call for proposals, the number of applications peaked and the two projects that have now been granted funding for five years aim to improve diagnostics in important disease areas: peripheral vascular disease and epilepsy. In addition to a clear link to clinical application, the projects have great potential to contribute to better treatment of broad patient groups both in Sweden and internationally”, says Clara Hellner, MedTechLab’s Chair and until recently Director of Research and Innovation, Region Stockholm.
“Improving health care in peripheral vascular disease: from population-based to individualized decision-making“
Research leaders are Ulf Hedin, KI and Christian Gasser, KTH. Granted amount: SEK 4.5 million per year 2025 -2029.
Stroke disease from carotid atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm rupture and aortic rupture account for a significant proportion of cardiovascular disease mortality with major consequences for both individuals and society. Today, these diseases are managed with strategies based on population studies where the choice of treatment is based on algorithms that optimize treatment outcomes for many, but far from all, patients. New technologies for molecular, morphological, biomechanical and imaging analyses make it possible to profile patients to individualize their risk assessment and treatment.
The new project is based on a translational research platform in collaboration between the Vascular Surgeon at Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet (KI), SciLifeLab and the Department of Materials and Structural Mechanics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Initially, the researchers will develop molecular markers in blood, biomarkers, through advanced protein analysis for patients at high risk in each disease. In the next step, high-resolution imaging will be implemented to characterize in detail molecular, morphological and biomechanical features for risk assessment of disease expression. With this approach, patients with established clinical risk factors for unfavorable disease progression can be stepwise risk assessed and efficiently selected for appropriate treatment. This optimizes both individual survival and the use of health care resources.
“Imaging the Epileptic Brain using Multimodal Quantum Sensors”
Research leaders are Daniel Lundqvist, KI and Val Zviller, KTH. Granted amount: SEK 2.5 million per year 2025 – 2029.
Epilepsy affects millions of people worldwide and for 30%, medication does not work, causing them to have severe and frequent seizures. For these patients, surgery is often the best option, but it requires precise identification of the area of the brain that causes the seizures – called the Seizure Onset Zone (SOZ). Current methods to find the right zone where seizures start include medical imaging techniques such as MRI, PET and EEG, but these techniques sometimes don’t give a clear picture, especially when there are no obvious abnormalities in the brain. The granted project therefore combines two innovative techniques: superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SN-SPD) and optically pumped magnetometers (OPM-MEG).
The first technique detects small changes in brain metabolism, while the second measures the magnetic field generated by brain activity – with incredible precision. By combining the techniques, the researchers hope to create a uniquely detailed picture of where and how abnormal brain activity occurs in the patient. This would not only help to more accurately pinpoint where seizures start, but also provide new insights into how seizures start and spread throughout the brain. The benefit lies in providing surgeons with better maps of where to operate. If successful, the project could therefore lead to more effective treatments and a better quality of life for people with epilepsy.
Research at both programs is expected to be up and running by January 2025.
MedTechLabs is a multidisciplinary center for patient-oriented research that will contribute to breakthroughs in the development of medical technology with relevance to the important challenges of healthcare and our major public diseases. In all programs, researchers and clinicians with both technical and medical expertise always collaborate. The center is jointly run by KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm.
For more information, please contact:
Liz Adamsson
Executive Director MedTechLabs
Phone: 08-790 60 84
E-mail: lizad@kth.se
Website: www.medtechlabs.se
Professor Mats Danielsson, a key figure at MedTechLabs, has been honored with the prestigious KTH Innovation Award for his pioneering contributions to medical imaging. The award, which includes a prize of 500,000 SEK (€43,400), recognises his exceptional achievements in advancing the field.
As a driving force behind the establishment of MedTechLabs, Professor Danielsson played a crucial role in fostering collaboration between KTH, Karolinska Institutet, and Region Stockholm. He has served as the research leader for the Spectral CT Imaging and Endovascular Techniques program and remains closely affiliated with the center.
From the Award Committee’s Motivation:
The 2024 recipient of the KTH Innovation Award has developed technology that has helped patients and doctors across the world. As the founder of several medical technology companies and contributor to over 100 patents, Mats Danielsson has developed and implemented solutions enabling earlier detection of tumors and inflammatory conditions. Mats Danielsson receives the KTH Innovation Award for his contributions to the field of physics of medical imaging, his creativity, grit and courage in going from research to impact, and his endless pursuit improving lives as well as the medical system.
Read an interview with Mats Danielsson on the KTH Innovation website here
Welcome to a MedTechLabs seminar on Crystal Growth and Characterization of CdTe for Radiation Detectors with Professor Roman Grill, Charles University, Prague on Tuesday, August 27, 15.00-16.00.
When: Tuesday Aug 27, 15.00-16.00
Location: Seminar room FA32, Albanova Main building, 3rd floor,
Roslagstullsbacken 21, Stockholm
Videoconference: https://lnkd.in/dQAneyz9
About: CdTe-based semiconductors are the best materials for preparing room temperature spectrally sensitive detectors of high energy radiation. They are used in various medical applications, security, non-destructive testing, space research, etc. In this talk, Professor Roman Grill reports on the achievements and knowledge he and his colleagues have gathered during more than 30 years of CdTe research at the Institute of Physics, Charles University. Basic principles of operation of radiation detectors are presented and the required material properties are defined to meet strict criteria set for high-quality detectors. The entire production line is commented on, starting with the growth of single crystals followed by after-growth annealing, material characterization, detector manufacture, and testing. Theoretical concepts describing all processes will be outlined. Throughout the talk, Roman Grill will emphasize problems unsolved so far that critically limit the production yield and cause the high price of detectors. Particularly, the talk encompasses the following topics: CdTe phase diagram, point defect engineering and self-compensation, chemical diffusion, contactless resistivity mapping, bias- and light-induced space charge formation and sensor polarization, transient current technique, and specific contact designs in sensors.
Since 2023, MedTechLabs organises a hybrid course in acute stroke, diagnosis, and treatment. The course is Lipus-certified and is aimed at residents and specialists who are interested in learning more about stroke and cerebral ischemia. One of them is Kristoffer Linder, a specialist in neurology at Capio S:t Görans Hospital, in Stockholm.
Hi Kristoffer, why did you choose to take our course?
I thought it sounded like an interesting approach, it was not like any course I had taken before. I got a tip about it via an email from a colleague. I thought that when you work in an acute hospital that receives a lot of acute stroke cases, it might be valuable to attend. In the hospital where I work, we take care of almost 1,000 patients with stroke or TIA every year. I also saw that there were many interesting names as lecturers as well, such as Håkan Almqvist, Åsa Kunze and Mikael Mazya. Trusted and knowledgeable course leaders give high credibility.
What do you think about the course organisation?
I think they have chosen a good division and balance between the radiology and the clinical parts of the stroke panorama, including a review of trobectomy. For me, it was good and important that you can take the course at your own pace. You watch the videos when you have time and can pause and go back through the material as needed. Otherwise, it can be difficult to get through longer course sections when you are busy at work.
What has the course given you?
The part where you had X-rays available and the opportunity to look at them yourself was very valuable to me. You can’t get that any other way. Of course, there are many databases and websites with X-rays, but here you could scroll through the material and at the same time get the necessary information about the symptoms, how long it’s been since the illness and so on. I have been a specialist for two years and have been working with stroke patients since I became a doctor more than ten years ago, but it was very good to be able to get this refresher course. The investigation and treatment of stroke has changed a lot in recent years but it’s also good to go back to basics, which this course also addresses.
Who do you think should take the course and why?
Can I answer everyone? Primarily those who are in training or already working as doctors. Both residents and specialists who have been working for a while can benefit greatly from the course. The course is good for updating your knowledge. I think it is also valuable for medical and radiologists working with stroke cases.
We talked with Patrik Jarwoll and asked him to introduce himself, why he joined MedTechLabs, and how he will contribute to the board.
Hi Patrik, what is You background?
I have a PhD from Chalmers Technical University and have worked for Varian inc. and Agilent Technologies in service, sales, marketing and RND before I started as an MR physicist at KERIC, Karolinska Experimental Research and Imaging Center at the Karolinska University Hospital.
And what do you do now?
Today I’m the head of KERIC, a Core Facillity situated in BioClinicum that supports research from academia as well as companies. KERIC is a preclinical facility that supports everything from surgical training to imaging in small animals with a special focus on translational research projects. We want to take projects from vitro or even earlier stages into clinical research in a safe way that will not risk any patient health. In many ways we can act as a bridge of technology to medical science. I am also Operations and Business manager at CIR, Centre for Imaging Research – a centre for world-leading imaging, jointly formed by Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, and Region Stockholm. CIR supports academic, clinical and industry users with access to imaging facilities and related services at the highest international level. CIR offers an exceptional and unique collection of core facilities for cutting-edge structural, functional, and metabolic in vivo imaging of all organs, in humans, non-human primates, large, and small animals.
What made You want to work with MedTechLabs?
I am very enthusiastic to support MedTechLabs and think it has an important role to link advanced technology such as AI, electronics, implants and material science to work in heath and clinical applications. An interesting condition, but also something that truly boast cross-disciplinary work, is the fact that you need a PI from both KTH and KI in all research at MedTechLabs. Another factor is that the project should reach clinical trials or clinical applications within 5 years. That really put the focus to projects that are applied and really can become a benefit to the public health within a reasonable timeframe.
How will You contribute to the board?
For me innovation and applied research has always been something I have had an interest and passion for. MedTechLabs is a bridge between KTH, KI and Karolinska University Hospital, which is important for innovation and progress in applied medical research. With my roles at KERIC and CIR and background from a more technical environment in academia as well as industry, I hope to contribute with supporting the work that can bridging technology with life science.
Welcome to an exciting seminar with Rolf Behling, one of the world's leading experts on x-ray sources for medical imaging and author of the book "Modern Diagnostic X-Ray Sources" (CRC press).
Title: Modern Diagnostic X-Ray Sources
Speaker: Rolf Behling, Department of Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Time: Monday June 3, 15.15-17.00, with time for questions afterwards
Location: FA32 (Albanova main building, third floor, opposite to the restaurant) and also on Zoom https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/63062020009
Abstract:
More than 100,000 diagnostic X-ray tubes are being newly installed or replaced year on year. Tubes for dental application, non-destructive testing and material analytics add to this number. This lecture will help to improve understanding the physics of X-ray production, in particular for “clinical” diagnostics. It will discuss functional principles of modern X-ray sources, design aspects, special features, radiation protection, and manufacturing technology. Why is vacuum technology not at all outdated? Will we find the X-ray LED, compact X-ray Laser machines or other alternative sources soon? Which breakthrough development is our group at KTH aiming at? The lecture may spark fascination for these vacuum electronic light sources off-the-mainstream.
The Centre has published it's annual report for 2023. Read about MedTechLabs research, results and impact on society, by downloading the report as pdf.
MedTechLabs is an interdisciplinary centre for medical technology research that carries on this proud legacy to create better conditions for patient survival and improved quality of life for those with cancer, cardiovascular, and other non-communicable diseases. We create the conditions for healthcare to offer patients much more secure diagnoses and better treatment, at a lower cost.
Read the Annual Report directly on this page or download as pdf.