Digital Twins, a virtual version of an environment or a person, are increasingly used, including in healthcare. Researchers Lukas Dekker and Carlijn Buck from TU/e and the Catharina Hospital mapping, for example how they can achieve better tailor-made care for heart patients with such a digital twin.
A digital twin can best be seen as the most accurate possible computer model of something or someone in reality. This technology is already used in sectors such as industry and urban planning, where virtual copies can be used to predict how machines or traffic systems, for example, will behave. In the field of healthcare applications, such a model can help doctors to better understand the development of a person’s health, personalize treatments and intervene earlier in a disease process.
No more future music
Such a virtual copy of part of a body is no longer a thing of the future. For example, researchers recently showed that they can accurately mimic clinical trials of new treatments using digital twins of cancer patients. The technology, FarrSight-Twin, is based on algorithms that astrophysicists use to detect black holes and was presented at the 36th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Barcelona, Spain.
Lukas Dekker, cardiologist-electrophysiologist at the Catharina Hospital and professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), expects that it will become possible to provide more customized care with a digital twin in the coming years. This way, the best treatment can be determined for each patient individually – such as which medication has the most effect – instead of giving everyone the same standard care. This should make care more personal, efficient and affordable.
A digital twin can use both older and real-time information to predict the development of someone’s health through simulations, Dekker continues. “We combine medical scans, data about how your body moves and how it responds to treatments. This allows us, for example, to calculate how your heart functions.” For example, after a heart attack, doctors could predict which heart patient is more likely to develop cardiac arrhythmias.
Next step
Carlijn Buck, PhD student in cardiovascular biomechanics, works within the COMBAT-VT-project to the development of digital twins for heart patients. She calls a complete digital copy of a body still a thing of the future, but states that the first versions of digital twins of the heart have already been created. “The next step is that such a model adapts as new data comes in and can then quickly predict whether something goes wrong.”
This also means that doctors can increasingly predict the development of someone’s health, without someone having to go to the hospital for measurements or scans. Sensors on smartphones, smart watches or heart monitors can transmit real-time data to healthcare professionals, who can then intervene early, for example, if there are indications of a new heart attack.
“When something is measured, you not only want the data in question to be analyzed, but also to be done in a certain context,” says Buck. “One person is significantly different from another, whether due to age, weight or medical history.”
It also becomes easier to estimate who needs to be checked more often or earlier, which can limit the pressure on the already overloaded healthcare system. For low-risk patients, a simple ‘twin’ based on data such as age and weight may be sufficient, so that the extra effort (such as an MRI scan of the heart) required for a more complex digital twin is saved for people at high risk. “If such a detailed model is not necessary, you should not do it.”
Complicated process
Currently, creating a digital twin is still a complicated process that requires technicians and doctors to work closely together. The technician builds the twin, while the doctor determines how it will be used in practice. Buck about this: “For example, with ablation, an intervention to treat heart rhythm disorders, the model could help determine when and how the heart can best be treated.” And, Buck concludes, a digital twin does not replace the doctor, but only serves as a tool to provide more customized care.
The COMBAT-VT project falls under the Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Center (e/MTIC), a regional partnership in the field of medical technology between TU/e, Philips and the Catharina Hospital, Maxima Medical Center and Kempenhaeghe. COMBAT-VT is subsidized by the NWO (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) and is led by cardiologist Prof. Dr. Lukas Dekker of the Catharina Hospital and Prof. Dr. Frans van de Vosse of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) .
The Wonders of Digital Twins in Healthcare: Not Just for Sci-Fi Buffs Anymore
So here we are, friends. Digital twins. No, not the type you might have met at a singles night, but virtual versions of people or environments, now taking the healthcare world by storm! Researchers Lukas Dekker and Carlijn Buck at TU/e and Catharina Hospital are sexing up the idea of “better tailor-made care” for heart patients with this shiny new tech. They say it’s like having a personal doctor who’s also a slightly creepy digital version of you—because who doesn’t want a clone watching over their health decisions, right?
No More Future Music
Let’s break it down: Digital twins are basically the most exquisitely detailed computer model of a real-life person or environment you can imagine—like a Sims character, but one that doesn’t just sit around and build houses! In less flamboyant terms, this technology is already singing an aria in sectors like industry and urban planning, predicting how machines might behave or, in this case, how your heart could throw a tantrum. And who doesn’t want to know how well their heart’s doing without having to resort to wearing a T-shirt that says, “I love my cardiologist”?
In healthcare, we’re talking about being able to understand a patient’s health trajectory better than ever. Imagine the spectacle: doctors get to personalize treatments, intervene before a ‘disease drama’ unfolds, and basically say, “Not today, heart palpitations!” All thanks to our buddy the digital twin.
The Next Step
But wait! It gets even juicier. Researchers are already mimicking clinical trials of new treatments for cancer patients with these digital doppelgängers. Yes, it’s true! At the 36th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium in Barcelona, they unleashed FarrSight-Twin, which, I must confess, sounds like a superhero straight out of a convoluted comic book plot—“You shall not pass heart disease!”
Lukas Dekker, a cardiologist and professor, has high hopes for these digital counterparts. He envisions a world where your heart’s best treatment and medications aren’t selected from a one-size-fits-all catalog—imagine! Tailored care means you get the exact kind of attention you deserve, unlike that unfortunate pair of jeans you bought in a fit of confidence!
With real-time information, it’s practically like having a medical sitcom unfolding live—one where doctors can predict how your heart handles pressure, all while you’re lounging on your couch, probably snacking on something unhealthy. It’s not just about crunching numbers; it’s about making sense of them while you binge-watch your favorite series!
The Complicated Process
Now, don’t get too carried away. Creating these digital twins is no walk in the park. It’s a challenge, requiring a solid partnership between technicians and doctors. Think of it like a complex tango, where the technician spins the digital model while the doctor decides how to make it pirouette gracefully in real-life scenarios. For instance, during ablation procedures, a model could assist in determining the best approach—because, let’s face it, nobody wants to leave their heart in the wrong hands. Or worse – have an awkward moment with the medical equipment.
But here’s the kicker: these digital twins don’t replace doctors—oh no! They’re more like trusty sidekicks, ensuring that the care you receive is both customized and effective. And let’s be honest, we could all use a little sidekick action now and then—especially when it comes to matters of the heart!
So, in conclusion, folks, the future of healthcare just got a digital upgrade! No longer are we in the realm of science fiction; it’s about using technology to get healthcare right, one digital twin at a time. And remember, when it comes to your health, the only thing better than a good doctor is a good doctor with a digital twin who’s working overtime to keep you fit and fabulous!
Interview with two experts who are pioneering the field of digital twins in healthcare. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Lukas Dekker, a cardiologist and professor at Eindhoven University of Technology, and Carlijn Buck, a PhD student specializing in cardiovascular biomechanics at TU/e. Welcome, Lukas and Carlijn!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us! Digital twins sound like something from a sci-fi movie. Can you explain what exactly a digital twin is and how it applies to healthcare?
**Lukas Dekker:** Certainly! A digital twin is essentially a highly detailed computer model that simulates a real person or environment. In healthcare, this means creating virtual representations of patients that can analyze vast amounts of data—everything from medical scans to real-time monitoring. This allows us to tailor treatments specifically for individual patients instead of taking a generic approach.
**Interviewer:** That’s fascinating! Carlijn, can you share how digital twins can help with heart patients specifically?
**Carlijn Buck:** Absolutely! In our research within the COMBAT-VT project, we’re focused on developing digital twins for heart patients. These twins can adapt and learn as new data comes in, enabling us to predict potential health issues without requiring patients to come in for routine check-ups. For example, we can monitor vital signs through wearable devices and anticipate whether someone might need immediate intervention due to heart rhythm disorders.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like this could revolutionize the way we approach preventative care. Lukas, what excites you the most about the future of digital twins in personalized medicine?
**Lukas Dekker:** What excites me most is the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. With digital twins, we can determine the best treatment for each patient based on their unique model. It’s not just about finding the right medication; it’s about completely transforming how we think about and deliver care.
**Interviewer:** And Carlijn, what do you think is the next step in developing these models?
**Carlijn Buck:** The next step is enhancing the adaptability of these digital twins. We need to make sure they can continuously learn from incoming data. This will help us fine-tune predictions and interventions in real time, making healthcare even more proactive.
**Interviewer:** That sounds promising! How can this technology alleviate pressure on our healthcare system?
**Lukas Dekker:** By implementing digital twins, we can better identify who requires more frequent monitoring and tailor our resources effectively. For low-risk patients, a simpler algorithm based on basic data might suffice, allowing us to reserve more intensive resources for those at higher risk.
**Interviewer:** Wonderful insights! As we wrap up, could you both highlight how digital twins might empower patients in their own healthcare journeys?
**Carlijn Buck:** With real-time health data streaming to healthcare providers, patients could become active participants in their care. Imagine receiving alerts on your phone about potential health issues before they escalate, allowing for informed discussions with your doctor.
**Lukas Dekker:** Exactly! Empowering patients with predictive insights enables them to make better lifestyle choices and encourages adherence to treatment plans, ultimately leading to healthier lives.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Lukas and Carlijn, for enlightening us on the transformative role of digital twins in healthcare. It seems we’re on the brink of significant advancements that could change how we view patient care.
**Lukas Dekker & Carlijn Buck:** Thank you for having us! We’re excited about the future of healthcare!
