A groundbreaking initiative named GEMINI was inaugurated on December 1, led by Alfons Hoekstra and the Academic Medical Center (AMC). This ambitious project focuses on the development of ‘digital twins in healthcare for cerebral infarctions and cerebral hemorrhages,’ presenting a futuristic approach to revolutionize stroke treatments.
In a move that seems straight out of science fiction, the European Gemini consortium aims to redefine stroke treatments using ‘digital twins.’ Imagine determining the optimal treatment for a patient with an ischemic stroke or cerebral hemorrhage by first simulating the procedure on their digital counterpart. The consortium, comprised of 19 partners, has secured a Horizon grant of 10 million euros from the European Commission to turn this visionary concept into reality.
While simulations have long been integral to designing cars, airplanes, and even aiding Formula 1 drivers like Max Verstappen, the field of medicine has yet to fully embrace computer simulations. The GEMINI project seeks to change this by utilizing ‘digital twins’ – not mere animations but real calculations. These digital replicas incorporate crucial patient data such as blood pressure, heart rhythm, and information from brain scans.
A concrete example involves simulating the mechanical removal of a blood clot during an acute ischemic stroke. By running simulations, physicians can assess whether a specific treatment preserves the blood clot or causes fragmentation during retrieval. This precision allows doctors to tailor treatment plans to the unique characteristics of each patient.
The approach taken by GEMINI involves knowledge-based modeling, a departure from data-driven artificial intelligence. Unlike AI, which relies on extensive general data from diverse patients, GEMINI combines computer data with physical and biological knowledge. This collaborative effort between computer scientists and medical professionals represents a novel application in healthcare.
Over the next four years, researchers will focus on developing the technology required to create digital twins. Subsequently, an additional two years will be dedicated to transforming this technology into a computer simulation applicable in clinical practice. The ultimate goal is to empower doctors to use computer simulations for personalized and optimized treatment plans, ensuring that interventions have been virtually tested on the patient’s digital twin.
The GEMINI project stands at the forefront of a new era in healthcare, where innovative technologies promise tailor-made care and unprecedented precision in stroke treatments. As advancements unfold, patients may soon benefit from treatments fine-tuned to their unique physiological profiles.
