SHERPA initiates studies to validate AI-based technologies for minimally invasive brain and cancer treatments
The Philips-coordinated SHERPA research consortium has initiated seven clinical studies to demonstrate the benefits of AI and robotics-assisted workflows in minimally invasive treatments for brain aneurysms and liver tumours.
Staff shortages, coupled with the complex nature of the work, place significant pressure on interventional radiologists and interventional neuroradiologists. The SHERPA consortium aims to validate AI-powered technologies in imaging, data visualisation, procedure planning and guidance, clinical decision support, and patient pathway orchestration. These technologies are designed to automate repetitive, time-consuming tasks, support decision making, and accelerate learning to ease the workload of interventional (neuro)radiologists. The four-year research project is co-funded by industry partners through in-kind contributions and additional resources, as well as by the European Union Innovative Health Initiative, and comprises 16 partners from seven European countries.
“Over the past year, the SHERPA project has brought together a talented team of researchers who have developed a technology framework designed to make workflow automation a reliable companion – a sherpa – for interventional (neuro)radiologists as they navigate some of their most complex procedures,” said Royal Philips chief business leader, image-guided therapy, Bert van Meurs. “By providing a template for the future adoption of AI-enabled assistive technologies and accelerating the associated learning curve, this framework will help address the increased demand for interventional (neuro)radiologists in Europe and beyond.”
The consortium has developed AI algorithms to help identify brain aneurysms that need treatment and algorithms to optimise patient selection and therapy planning for liver tumour ablation. It also developed robotic technology to improve procedure precision and reduce difficulty, and AI software to confirm treatment success. These have now been integrated into orchestrated end-to-end workflows for both procedures.
Picture: The SHERPA project has brought together a talented team of researchers.
Read this report on page 15 of the June 2026 issue of RAD Magazine.
