Closed loop control systems
The EPSRC-funded Cyclops (Closed Loop Control Systems for Optimising Treatment) network is exploring the potential for the closed loop control approach to provide optimised treatment that is personal to the individual patient. This can significantly improve patient outcomes across a range of medical conditions.
What are closed loop control systems?
The closed loop control approach involves continuously monitoring key clinical parameters and, informed by mathematical models, adapting treatment.
The advent of masive computer power, highly sensitive, specific and flexible sensors, and finely-titrable treatments has finally allowed closed loop control systems to offer a revolutionary leap in medical treatment.
Examples
Challenges that might now be met include:
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the delivery of treatment to cancer patients
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the moment-to-moment management of critically ill (or injured) patients
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the accelerated healing of chronic wounds
Our plans for the network
We are creating a multidisciplinary team comprising academics, clinicians and industrialists, supported by stakeholders, to address the challenges of the closed-loop approach.
In year one, we will bring together the community at a Grand Challenge Workshop (20-21st March 2017). This will identify gaps in technology or knowledge which will be addressed by feasibility studies or secondments.
During years 2 and 3, the feasibility studies will run, with further networking between the stakeholders, to provide proof of concept data for grand challenge funding applications. These larger funding applications will be developed in parallel to the feasibility studies.
Feasibility studies
The feasibility studies to explore the closed loop approach will be included here once the first studies are funded.