Posted: 25 January 2022
Lung transplants offer people afflicted with incurable respiratory disease the prospect of a better quality of life − however such procedures are expensive, resource-intensive and with no guarantee of long-term success.
The ‘FIT’ (or Functional Lung Imaging in the Assessment of Severe Lung Disease for Lung Transplantation) Study involves 40 patients affected by conditions including interstitial lung disease, severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), pulmonary hypertension and cystic fibrosis.
The application of 4DMedical’s XV Technology to assessing candidates for lung transplant is being validated during the FIT Study currently underway in Melbourne with six patients already scanned, enabling insights gained through four-dimensional imaging to inform decision making by physicians and patients.
Methodologies such as spirometry, CT (computed tomography) scanning, V/Q (ventilation perfusion) and a variety of pulmonary function tests are currently utilised in assessments of patient suitability for lung transplant. XV Technology brings a 21st century approach to determining the likelihood of transplant success, using cloud-based algorithmic analysis to gain an unprecedented understanding of lung motion and airflow.
The FIT Study is led by Professor Greg Snell, a respected Monash University researcher and co-author of over 350 scientific peer-reviewed articles, and Medical Head of the Lung Transplant Service at the Alfred Health. Experts from 4DMedical’s clinical and medical affairs team will be present at each scan conducted at The Alfred’s main Melbourne Prahran campus.
The Lung Transplant service at Alfred Health is one of the largest operations of its kind in the world, performing three percent of all lung transplantations globally with over 1700 procedures completed to date.
“Every lung transplant is a major operation, and many complications can occur as a result,” said Professor Greg Snell. “In making decisions regarding lung transplants, the insights available through revolutionary technologies can significantly influence the choice of surgical options, identify potential risks and optimise follow-up care.”
“Rejection and infection are major risks in lung transplants, and the application of 4DMedical’s
non-invasive imaging technology as part of the consideration process has the potential to enhance patient safety and surgical success,” said Dr Andreas Fouras, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of 4DMedical.
A number of patients involved in the FIT Study will also participate in two sub-studies where a second XV Technology-enabled scan will be used to determine the value of interventions such as bronchodilators: substances used to dilate the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs.
“XV Technology is already adopted by industry players such as Novartis, seeking to validate therapeutic interventions through pharmaceuticals and medical devices,” added Dr Fouras. “Our ability to contribute this expertise in the post-transplant arena is further confirmation of the game changing nature of four-dimensional respiratory imaging.”
PRODUCT LINE INFORMATION
https://4dmedical.com/our-products
ALFRED HEALTH LUNG TRANSPLANT INFORMATION
https://www.alfredhealth.org.au/services/lung-transplant
4DMedical
4DMedical is a medical technology company transforming respiratory diagnostics for all lung disorders including coronavirus, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and cancer.
Through its technology, 4DMedical is providing clinicians with greater insights into lung function and the impact of diseases and treatment interventions. Patients are informed and empowered through such knowledge. Industry partners utilise our technology to understand the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
The unique 4DMedical XV Technology accurately and quickly scans lung function as the patient breathes, assisting in providing sensitive, early diagnosis, and in monitoring changes over time.
The company’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)-enabled scans delivering comprehensive information and insights, showing even subtle variations in lung function down to the finest details, using lower and safer levels of radiation than traditional methods.
Better information means better decisions, and better outcomes.
Based in Melbourne, Australia and Los Angeles, USA, 4DMedical was founded in 2012 and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: 4DX).
