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Space technology in new technique to fight breast cancer

15 January 2004

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ActiveFU will offer a non-invasive treatment option for cancer

Dutch entrepreneur Hugo Brunsveld van Hulten has come up with a solution to help physicians in their fight against breast cancer that combines two techniques: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to locate and diagnose cancerous tissue and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to 'burn' malignant cells. This invention, named ActiveFU, is being developed by Brunsveld van Hulten at the new European Space Incubator (ESI) facility at ESTEC, ESA’s European Space Research and Test Centre in the Netherlands. By using space technologies and expertise from ESA's space research teams, several challenges have already been overcome.

Credits: ESA

Help from ESA expertise under ESI umbrella

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The Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with a network of computers, multi-media devices and software tools, which allows a team of multi-disciplinary experts to apply the concurrent engineering method to space mission design. It facilitates a fast and effective interaction of all disciplines involved, ensuring consistent, high-quality results. Here Hugo Brunsveld van Hulten, ESI entrepreneur, is seen working with ESA experts at the CDF in December 2003, on his technique to fight breast cancer.

Credits: ESA

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ESI stand at the Industry Space Days in ESTEC

The European Space Incubator (ESI) is an initiative of the ESA Technology Transfer and Promotion Office and its Technology Transfer Programme. It has been created to get space to non-space projects off the ground and help them develop into viable businesses. The image shows the ESI stand at the Industry Space Days in ESTEC, November 2003.

Credits: ESA

More information

The European Space Incubator: ESI

Innovation, start-ups, problems and solutions – a round table discussion Space technology and opportunities for small businesses Students design a space station