Innovative multiplex paper-based electrochemical biosensor and artificial intelligence for smart periprosthetic joint infection and AMR diagnostic
( SENSIF )

Interventions

Research Project: 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31
Total sum awarded: €1 075 550

SENSIF will develop a new device for supporting correct diagnosis and efficient treatment of Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) close to the patients based on i) the use of synovial fluid as biological sample, ii) combination of multiple biomarkers with artificial intelligence (AI), and iii) exploitation of electrochemical, printing, and paper-based technologies for their several outstanding features including high sensitivity and easy mass-production. PJI has been selected as a case study considering i) the significant burden on the healthcare expenditure and the quality of life of the patients due to the presence of bacteria resistant to the few antibiotics with proven anti-biofilm activity, ii) the challenge in the diagnosis of this type of infection in timely fashion, even following 2018 Philadelphia International Consensus Meeting criteria, and iii) the need to support the prudent and rational use of antimicrobials and reduce overprescription. SENSIF will establish a pillar in the management of infection by combining the diverse and complementary skills and infrastructures of SENSIF consortium constituted by i) the physicians with relevant expertise in PJI belonging from Italy, UK, and France, ii) data scientists with experience from developing AI-based methods for diagnostics, and iii) two companies, one (SME, start-up/spin-off company) with skills in the development of printed miniaturized point-of-care devices prototype and the other one (large company) with its activity focused on the development, manufacturing, and selling of orthopaedic medical devices.

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  • Giulio Maccauro, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Italy (Coordinator)
  • Erik Kristiansson, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden (Partner)
  • Valentina Basoli, University of Basel, Switzerland (Partner)
  • Fabiana Arduini, Sense4Med S.r.l, Italy (Observer)
  • Andrea Dasi, Adler Ortho SpA, Italy (Observer)

In European countries, more than 9 million healthcare-associated infections are reported each year, of which many are related to prosthetic devices used in surgical procedures. How to help to manage this issue? SENSIF has a vision that new technologies, including sensing, printing techniques, and advanced data-analysis using artificial intelligence, can develop an accurate point-of-care device for fast diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The glucose sensor strip has largely improved the quality of life of diabetic patients and reduced the cost of the management of diabetes. SENSIF will develop a point-of-care device, analogous to the glucose strip, with the advantage of i) multi-biomarkers detection in a single measure assisted by artificial intelligence-based analysis for fast, on-site, and accurate patient-specific diagnosis and ii) to be a paper-based device, which is both cheap and environmentally friendly. Our starting point relies on the first sensor for infection detection by analysing blood sampled during orthopaedic surgery, developed by coordinator of SENSIF together with a partner of SENSIF consortium. Starting from this point, SENSIF device will furnish information on PJI during the physician visit by sampling synovial fluid with generating almost instant analysis results. This will reduce the need for specialized, time-consuming, and expensive assays and remove the need for revisits to discuss the outcome and prognosis: in only a single visit.

Call

2023 - Development of innovative strategies, tools, technologies, and methods for diagnostics and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance