Medical care will rapidly further evolve from invasive to minimally-invasive in the coming years. The further development and combination of minimally-invasive techniques will make it possible to diagnose and treat patients more effectively, efficiently and at the same time less stressful as surgery can be avoided. Minimally-invasive techniques under image guidance have had a huge impact on vascular medicine. Think dotting and stent placement. The coming decades will see a similar development in the treatment of cancer, neurological and orthopaedic diseases. Existing diagnostic techniques to look inside the human body are either harmful or costly. Visible light offers a harmless and inexpensive alternative. Without modifications, light does not penetrate deeply into the body, and is quickly scattered strongly. Recent Dutch breakthroughs have shown that the wave pattern of light can be modified to penetrate deep into the body. A breakthrough here can be expected in the next decade.
Connecting character
Molecular diagnostics, imaging and image-guided intervention are key themes within the top sector Life Sciences & Health. In addition, this question links up with research headlines of the top sector Chemistry, the Advanced Instrumentation roadmap of the top sector High Tech Systems and Materials and the COAST Analytical Science and Technology roadmap. There are many opportunities for collaboration with and spin-off to medical technology companies. From a healthcare perspective, the minimally-invasive technique offers advantages as it increases the chances of quick recovery.
