ESS - DM - Mestrado Europeu em Tecnologia Médica e Negócios em Saúde
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- Causal discovery from time series dataPublication . Almeida, Fernanda Ribeiro de; Coelho, Luís; Fraunhofer, Vitor Rolla; Fraunhofer, Vânia GuimarãesThe drive to understand the laws that govern the universe and ourselves in order to expand our view of reality is deeply rooted in humanity. In science, this urge is a robust process filled with challenges and opportunities given the rapidly growing technology-driven volume of time series data. Causal discovery supports science in an innovative and fast-growing manner with the essential goal of uncovering mathematical orders directly from observational data translated into causal association networks. This scientific tool pledges to accelerate growth in various fields, including life sciences. This work approaches the topic of causal discovery on two levels. First, we address the theory of constraint-based methods on detecting and quantifying causal relations, covering how the methods work, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they present. Second, we explore the PCMCI method with an implementation on both synthetic and real-world data. The results of this work found in applying causal discovery in real physiological signals data may provide insights into the prospects and difficulties of causal structure search in healthcare Big Data and, moreover, the advantages of using causal models in prediction.
- Design proposal for wearable device to monitor psoriasis and its comorbiditiesPublication . Monzón, Roberto Alexis Rivas; Ribeiro, Maria Cristina de Castro; Guimarães, Pedro SousaPsoriasis is a common, chronic, non-infectious skin disease that has no clear cause and no definitive cure. The body produces new skin cells that rapidly accumulate on the surface of the skin, forming red papules and plaques, it can appear on any area of the body and usually covered with white or silver scales that cause itching, stinging and pain. Psoriasis can be triggered by external and internal triggers and it can affect people of any age and from any country. There is no treatment that gives hope of a complete cure for psoriasis and it is still based on symptom control. People with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing chronic degenerative diseases compared to the general population. which contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality. Until now, there is no device on the market designed to monitor comorbidities associated with psoriasis, which in the long term represent a risky situation for the patient. The use of wearable technology will be a great step in the monitoring and diagnosis of psoriasis and its comorbidities. The main objective of the present work was the development of a modular and personalized wearable device that could help in monitoring the state and evolution of the disease, registering on real time UV radiation intensity as well as the intensity and periodicity of scratching. The proposed wearable device, will work in conjunction with a mobile app to facilitate and encourage the patient to monitor himself.
- Development of a graphical user interface for rehabilitationPublication . Oliveira, Cristina Costa; Ventura, Sandra Rua; Santos, RubimHuman movement underlies everything humans do, from movements that people can not consciously control to those movements that are trained. Everything from breathing to walking. This means movement is a very important part of human life. This was one of the main reasons to develop a whole study field around the human movement called Biomechanics. biomechanics studies the human movement from a mechanic point of view employing physics, methematics and engineering. In order words, biomechnics is very complex and needs powerfultools that allow precise analyses. Biomechanical analyses include retrieving the data froma human subject and later study it by transforming it in numbers that can be read and understood easily by the professionals in this field of study. In this dissertation, the main goal was to develop a tool (Graphical User Interface) that allowed the biomechanical analyses of three different types of movements, walking, reaching and equilibrium. This Graphical User Interface was developed with Matlab programming language, more specifically using their feature called App Designer, that allows the creation of graphical user interfaces in a simple, clear and understandable way. The tool was developed in collaboration with the Center of Rehabilitation Research from the School of health of Plytechnic of Porto and to combat their main problem when performing biomechanical analyses in the data files obtained from Optoeletronic Systems and force plates. The final product achieved was only able to perform equillibrium analyses using the center of pressure of the subject. The graphical user interface is able to calculate area, distance, velocity and maximum/minimum. the tool permits a fast, effective and accurate analysis, responding to the needs of researchers in the biomec hanical area and especially of the CIR.
- Development of an email marketing digital plan and processes inside a MedTech EMEA organizationPublication . Maduro, Beatriz Fonseca; Ventura, Sandra Rua; Santos, Filipe; Berdouz, KhalidExplore how HubSpot can enhance email marketing strategies for customer acquisition and retention in the MedTech industry, specifically at MicroVention (MV). The study aims to adress key challanges and opportunities in transitioning from traditional to digital marketing methods, developing na Email Digital Marketing Plan, and address regulatory compliance issues. Mixed-method approach was employed to assess hybSpot’s impact on email marketing at MV. This included a literature review, semi-structured interviews, and two surveys onducted before and after hubspot implementation. Interviews and surveys highlighted that compliance and tailored contente enhance effectiveness. Continuous testing and refinement were emphasized to enhance engagement and conversation rates. The email Marketing Plan focused on A/B testing, workflow analysis for customer segmentation, and contente delivery optimization. Marketing results showed strong performance, with a 41.69% open rate and a 40.88% click-through rate. The compaign strategy included both educational and promotional emails. HubSpot significantly boost email marketing efficiency by automating tasks, improving transparency, and enabling targeted campaigns. However, challenges such as system integration, data migration, and regulatory compliance must be carefully managed to realize these benefits.
- Digital CT solutions for oncology applications: how to face current market and clinical challanges?Publication . Batista, Célia Catarina Rodrigues; Ventura, Sandra Rua; Wallard, Alexandre; Schmidt, Sebastian; Schmolke, SusanneLung, Liver and colorectal cancer represente greatburdens for the society nowadays and the increase of survivsl rates rely in early detection and treatment enhancement. Computed Tomography (CT) palys a major role in several steps of the clinical pathway in oncology. Artificial Intelligence and overall digital solutions for CT aim to improve medical imaging capabilities, therefore can improve cancer clinical workflows through several features and products, such as Computed Aided Detection capabilities, malignancy prediction and automatic contouring for Radiaion Therapy, among other features. Siemens Healthineers is a pioneer in CT technology, owning one of the largest digital portfolio analysis for lung, liver, and colorectal cancer, and presente somo strategies to potentiate Siemens Helthineers as a market leader regarding digital CT solutions for oncology applications. For lung cancer, T plays a major role throughout all the clinical pathway, with Siemens Helthineers offering diferente digital solutions for each step of the patient journey, however there is a high level of competion, and the clinical needs rely on automation of time-consuming tasks. Focusing on market analysis for Al-Rad Companion Chest CT, the target is broad, but the clinical value compared to competition does not stand out. Finding strategies to increase the added value of the digital CT solutions for Lung Cancer is necessary to gain market shares. Regarding liver cancer, CT plays na importante role in some steps of the clinical pathway, with Siemens Healthineers offering diferente digitl solutions for each step; the comption leve lis médium and the clinical needs rely on liver function nd tumour assessment; regarding market information, syngo. CT Liver Analysis has great added value, however a narrow targetwhich affects the final ROI. Creating solutions with broader application might increase the ROI for digital CT solutions in liver cancer. For colorectal cancer, CT Colonography (CTC) might be essential for certain patients and its role in the future might be crucial for colorectal cancer screening. Siemens Helthineers i sone of the few companies offering a digital solution for CTC, however the competiton is inexistente, and the market assessment relies on the future of CTC in the standard of care for colorectal cancer. Measurements to bring innovation and efficiency to the current complete and complex digital portfolio will allow to achieve a position of market leader in lung, liver, and colorectal CT digital market through empowerment of comercial and clinical value.
- Digital skills role in radiation therapist' s profile: case studyPublication . Gonçalves, Dina Isabel Pereira; Bravo, Isabel; Barbosa, BárbaraModern radiation therapy is an intricate field, continuously facing technological progression and complexity intensification. In order to provide the best treatment possible to the patientes, it is essential that the radiation therapists have appropriate and continuous training, attending the perpetually demanding needs of the field. The digital tranformation is happening at a fast pace. It has the potential to transform and disrupt economies, industries, societies, and individuals. The digitalisation of the economu affexts grandly the labour market, increasing the demand for professionals with digital skills. Given the lack of studies on the role of digital skills in the radiation therapist's profile, this study aims to compensate for this breach, by assessing digital skills and possibel gaps in the professional profile. The study was conducted between February 2019 and august 2019. Perceptual analysis of 46 radiation therapists was included in the study. The results reveal that 84,8% of the sample has a medium level of digital skills development. Additionally, are reported that 10,9% of the assesses individuals has a high level and 4,3% presented a low level of digital skills development. Further studies are recommended, in order to identify the specific digital skills where the radiation therapists are in need of further training.
- EEG biomarkers as predictors of antidepressant treatment response in Major Depressive DisorderPublication . Peña, Sofía García; Maia, Gisela; Azevedo, JacintoMajor Depressive Disorder (MDD) presents a significant global health challenge, with a substantial proportion of patients failing to achieve adequate remission from current treatments. This highlights a critical need for objective biomarkers to guide personalized therapeutic strategies. Electroencephalography (EEG) offers a promising, noninvasive tool for identifying such markers due to its high temporal resolution and cost-effectiveness. This report reviews the role of EEG biomarkers, particularly theta activity in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) and frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), in predicting antidepressant treatment outcomes. While rACC theta has shown associations with treatment response, and FAA demonstrates gender- and drug-specific predictive value, inconsistencies and small effect sizes in the literature underscore the need for methodological standardization and larger sample sizes. Recent advancements, including polygenic-informed EEG signatures and data-driven approaches, are paving the way for more reliable and clinically relevant biomarkers. The integration of EEG with other objective measures and its application in optimizing non-invasive stimulation treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) hold significant potential to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized care for MDD patients globally, ultimately alleviating the burden of this complex neurophysiological disorder.
- Efficacy of Webinar implementation for Marketing purposes: Healthcare Software Company case-studyPublication . Vilaça, Telma Alves; Ventura, Sandra RuaThe COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the integration of digital marketing strategies in business operations, emphasizing webinars as a key tool for the company’s dissemination and engagement. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy ob webinars as a marketing strstegy within a healthcare software company. Utilizing a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic approach, a webinar was promoted through strategic pratnerships and dissemination, targeting professionals in medical imaging and radiotherapy. Through the analysis of metrics such as registration, attendance, and satisfaction rates, the results revealed a registartion of 93 participants and an attendance rate of 67% (n=62). The engagement rate was measured through chat interactions (19%, n=6) and a post-webinar survey (58%, n=36), indicating high satisfaction rates with participants rating the contente, organization, and technical quality positively. The findings suggest that webinars effectively attract and retain participants, providing a platform for brand awareness and lead generation, highlighting the potencial of webinars to enhance marketing strategies by fostering stronger customer relationships and providing valuable feedback for continuous improvement. Future research should explore multiple webinars to compare results and evaluate improvements over time. Implementig and assessing participant suggested enhancements in orer to offer valuabel insights into optimizing webinar effectiveness for helathcare marketing.
- The evolving landscape of hearing healthcare: Hearing health professional´s opinions and the impact of Over-the-Counter Hearing AidsPublication . Amjad, Muhammad Saad; Tomé, DavidHearing loss is a pervasive global health challenge, with traditional prescription hearing aids often inaccessible due to high costs, social stigma, and limited availability. The emergence of Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids aims to bridge this gap by offering more affordable and accessible solutions for individuals with mild to moderate hearing impairment. However, it’s real-world effectiveness and integration into existing healthcare frameworks, mainly from the perspective of healthcare professionals, remain underexplored. This thesis study investigated the perceptions and opinion of 177 hearing healthcare professionals (HHPs), including audiologists and hearing aid dispensers, across 17 countries through a comprehensive online survey. The research assessed their views on the effectiveness, accessibility, and potential impact of OTC hearing aids on clinical practice. Findings revealed a polarized professional sentiment: while many acknowledged the benefits of increased affordability and accessibility, a predominant negative outlook highlighted significant concerns regarding potential misdiagnosis, improper fitting, patient dissatisfaction, and the economic implications for professionals. Notably, professional background, rather than age or experience, significantly influenced these perceptions. A gender-based disparity in regulatory awareness was also observed. In conclusion, while OTC hearing aids hold substantial promise for expanding access to hearing care, their successful implementation requires robust regulatory oversight, extensive public education on proper use and limitations, and proactive professional engagement. Hearing healthcare professionals are encouraged to adapt their service models to effectively support OTC users, thereby ensuring both broader accessibility and the maintenance of quality care standards.
- From bench to market: Optimizing a cartilage-on-chip platform for Osteoarthritis research and analyzing the current and future landscape of Organ-on-Chip TechnologiesPublication . Hernández-Montoya, Ariadna; Ribeiro, Maria Cristina de Castro; Cillero-Pastor, BertaOrgan-on-Chip (OoC) systems are microfluidic medical devices engineered to replicate the physiological functions and microenvironment of human organs and tissues in vitro. These systems are designed to overcome the limitations of current in vitro models by providing an accurate platform for drug discovery and disease modeling. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease characterized by cartilage degeneration, where traditional models fail to replicate its biomechanical and biochemical characteristics. In this study, a Cartilage-on-Chip (CoC) device with hMSCs was used to mimic the disease microenvironment. Market research including a survey direct to OoC stakeholders, was performed to understand the current and future trends of Organ-on-Chip. The CoC was successfully optimized to be used with hMSCs and Geltrex, improving is usability and utility, a set of recommendations were developed to improve the performance of the CoC, and help future users to be efficient with OoC. After the analysis of the market research, it was noted that funding in the field is growing, and according to the opinion of the survey participants, the use of these systems promises to improve biomedical research on fields such as neurology and immunology, and advances are expected from training, scalability and standardization to integrated biosensors and multi-organ models.