The SHERPA project (Smart Human-centred Effortless support for Professional clinical Applications), funded by the European Union through the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) under Horizon Europe, supports interventional radiologists (IRs) by integrating AI and robotics as seamless, trusted companions in clinical workflows, particularly in neurology and oncology.

SHERPA focuses on two key clinical applications: neurovascular interventions and liver tumor ablations. Through seven clinical studies, the project explores how AI can assist in detecting brain aneurysms, predicting risks, planning treatments and performing robotic-assisted thermal ablations with enhanced precision and efficiency.

The project’s core objective is to provide IRs with advanced assistive technologies, enabling automation of complex tasks and reliable decision support. This not only improves clinical accuracy but also enhances staff experience, reduces workload and increases overall efficiency in image-guided workflows.

To ensure measurable impact, SHERPA will develop a tailored methodological framework for evaluating the value of assistive technologies in real-world clinical settings. By demonstrating the proven benefits of automated workflows, SHERPA aims to drive the adoption of new standards in interventional radiology and contribute to improved patient outcomes.

As the demand for image-guided therapies grows and the shortage of IR specialists intensifies, SHERPA offers a timely solution, combining AI, robotics and human-centered design to support healthcare professionals and elevate the quality of care.

Stay up-to-date with SHERPA’s progress by following the project on LinkedIn and visiting the official project website.