MITeC

Infrastructure and User Services

Embedded within the Radboudumc central OR suite, the three MITeC operating rooms have a truly unique layout and equipment. In the center of these three interconnected operating rooms (OR’s), the MRI OR homes a large bore 3T MRI (Siemens Skyra). This MRI OR has direct patient transfer options with both an X-ray hybrid OR (Siemens Artis Pheno) and a standard OR that was designed to allow for larger mobile equipment.

All three OR’s are fully equipped with:

• Both DICOM and non-DICOM Image handling technologies (manipulation such as image fusion, segmentation and 3D reconstruction, store/retrieve, Video-conference)
• Standard and advanced surgical interventional techniques such as surgical navigation and NIR imaging
• A range of energy delivery techniques (Laser, Cryo, HIFU, RF)

In all three OR’s, all standard and advanced anesthesia techniques can be applied. All equipment is connected to its clinical data systems; integration with EPR and other relevant IT systems is standard.

This layout and range of techniques perfectly facilitates image guided procures using MRI, 3D X-ray and/or video techniques in any desired combination. This allows surgeons and interventional radiologists to optimally control the accuracy of the interventional procedure and pursue innovative, quick and safe new techniques to offer maximum control and thus maximum quality of treatment to the patient.

The infrastructure of MITeC is continuously being updated to incorporate the newest developments in the field. In the near future MITeC aims to update the current Zeego with the Pheno system, a unique angiography system for individualized preprocedural planning, intraoperative guidance, and immediate assessment – regardless of patient condition or procedure complexity.

Examples/description of the type of research

MITeC is open to research projects with researchers from any institution or company. We can offer advice, set up and carry out research, give training or open up our operating rooms to researchers. We can oversee research from idea to assessment and even long-term surveillance. But it is also possible to join forces in just one or a couple of these stages. We are also open to any suggestions for research collaborations.

In short, the stages of research that can be performed at MITeC:

• Preclinical (IDEAL stage 0)
• Proof of concept/First in human (IDEAL stage 1)
• Development (IDEAL stage 2)
• Exploration (IDEAL stage 2)
• Assessment (IDEAL stage 3)
• Long-term (IDEAL stage 4)

How to access the infrastructure?    

In most cases, access to investigators from national and international academic institutions is granted via research collaborations: the Radboud investigators and the guest researchers define a research project, which is carried out in collaboration using the equipment of MITeC. For the use of most of the equipment a fee for the use of the equipment is defined to cover the running costs of the equipment.

Research collaborations with private partners (e.g. medtechcompanies, SMEs) in most cases are ‘fee for service’ projects. In general in these projects the full costs of the project are paid for by the private partner, or alternatively a collaborative research project (e.g. Horizon2020 or NWA) will be submitted, in which case the industrial partner pays accordingly.