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We are reaching out to you with hope and determination as we launch a life-saving initiative that promises to expanding access to non-Invasive perfusion assessment transform neonatal care in Istanbul, Türkiye. Our club is spearheading a Global Grant project to provide a state-of-the-art Laser Speckle Imaging (LSI) System, also known as Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI), to the Medeniyet University, Medicine School, of a major public university hospital here in Istanbul, Turkiye. In addition to the equipment, the project includes comprehensive training for medical staff and educational support for medicine students. With a total estimated budget of USD 87.500, we are seeking an International Partner club to help turn this vision into reality.
The Laser Speckle Imaging (LSI) system is an advanced imaging technology that enables non-invasive, real-time, and high-resolution assessment of microcirculatory blood flow in living tissues. The proposed system is capable of quantifying dynamic changes in blood perfusion with high spatial and temporal sensitivity, particularly in cerebral tissue, as well as in the skin and peripheral tissues.
The LSI system is highly suitable for use in experimental models of stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurovascular disorders, and pharmacologically induced vascular responses. By providing continuous and real-time perfusion data, the system allows precise monitoring of cerebrovascular dynamics under both physiological and pathological conditions. This capability addresses a critical need for tools that can capture rapid and subtle microvascular changes during disease progression and therapeutic intervention.
Data generated by the LSI system will enable a more comprehensive characterization of the relationship between cerebral blood flow alterations and neuronal injury. This will facilitate in-depth investigation of secondary injury mechanisms following ischemic stroke, disruption of the neurovascular unit, and subsequent recovery processes. The resulting insights are expected to support the development of timely and targeted intervention strategies and to improve the definition of therapeutic windows, which remain a major limitation in current stroke management.
Beyond neurological applications, the proposed LSI system has strong translational and clinical integration potential in the assessment of superficial perfusion and microcirculation in skin and peripheral tissues. Potential clinical use cases include wound healing monitoring, diabetic foot evaluation, peripheral vascular disease assessment, and postoperative surveillance of tissue viability following plastic and reconstructive surgery. Early identification of microcirculatory impairment through LSI is anticipated to reduce the risks of tissue necrosis, infection, and amputation.
The adoption of LSI System in clinical and translational research offers direct and measurable benefits to patients by improving diagnostic accuracy, treatment decisions, and overall safety.
Why This Project Matters
The Laser Speckle Imaging system provides rapid, non-invasive assessment of tissue perfusion without the need for contrast agents or ionizing radiation. By enabling real-time, objective evaluation of microcirculation, the system supports earlier diagnosis, improved surgical decision-making, and more effective monitoring of wound healing and vascular compromise. These capabilities directly translate into reduced complications, fewer repeat procedures, shorter hospital stays, and improved patient outcomes, particularly in vulnerable populations with impaired circulation.
LSI directly contributes to safer diagnostics, improved treatment outcomes, reduced complications, and enhanced quality of life for patients. The benefits of adoption by a Public University Hospital can be summarized as follows.
• Earlier and more accurate diagnosis
LSI provides objective, quantitative maps of tissue perfusion, replacing subjective assessments based on visual inspection or palpation. Earlier detection of ischemia or impaired microcirculation enables timely intervention and reduces diagnostic uncertainty.
• Reduced Invasiveness and improved patient safety
LSI does not require contrast agents, tracers, or ionizing radiation. This eliminates risks associated with allergic reactions, nephrotoxicity, and radiation exposure, making it suitable for repeated use and vulnerable populations.
• Improved surgical outcomes
Intraoperative use of LSI allows real-time assessment of tissue perfusion during reconstructive surgery, graft placement, and neurosurgical procedures. Surgeons can identify compromised blood flow before irreversible damage occurs, reducing failure rates and re-operations.
• Enhanced wound care and chronic disease management
LSI enables monitoring of chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores by detecting perfusion deficits before visible tissue damage occurs. This supports personalized treatment strategies and reduces complications including infection and amputation.
• Burn assessment and trauma care
Accurate evaluation of burn depth and tissue viability using LSI reduces unnecessary surgical interventions, preserves viable tissue, minimizes scarring, and shortens recovery times.
• Neurological and stroke care benefits
LSI supports real-time cerebral perfusion monitoring during neurosurgery and experimental stroke interventions, helping prevent secondary ischemic injury and improving neurological outcomes.
• Faster clinical decisions and point-of-care use
Rapid acquisition times and ease of use make LSI suitable for bedside and outpatient settings. Faster decision-making reduces delays in treatment and time under anesthesia.
Why a Public University?
This University was carefully selected following a thorough needs assessment. The university's affiliated hospital, Göztepe Prof. Dr. Süleyman Yalçın City Hospital, is a large-scale public healthcare institution providing comprehensive medical services. The hospital has 239 outpatient clinics, 1,110 inpatient beds, 52 emergency beds, 28 operating rooms, 23 dialysis beds, 28 delivery rooms, 144 intensive care unit beds, and 36 imaging units. In addition to clinical care, the hospital hosts a variety of clinical research activities and phase-based studies. The strong research-oriented culture shared by both the university and its affiliated hospital enables effective use of institutional resources through close collaboration. Academic and clinical teams work jointly across research and clinical platforms, and institutional leadership actively supports staff engaged in scientific research and innovation. This integrated structure provides a robust and sustainable environment for advanced research projects and capacity-building initiatives.
Your support will directly enhance the University's ability to provide cutting-edge care, bridging the gap between clinical expertise and technological access, and ensuring more newborns receive the best possible start in life.
A Sustainable and Holistic Approach
Aligned with Rotary's Areas of Focus-especially Disease prevention and treatment
-this project is designed for lasting impact. Our approach includes:
• Donation of the LSI device to the Medical School,
• Hands-on training for students, nurses, and technicians,
• Educational materials for medical staff
• Ongoing monitoring and evaluation to measure and maximize impact.
By integrating advanced technology with education and training, we are building a sustainable model that will improve health care for years to come.
How You Can Join Us
We warmly invite your Rotary Club to join us as our International partner in this Global Grant. Your partnership will strengthen our application and bring this critical project to life.
In this time, we are going to apply grobal grant and we need an international partner sponsored.
Total cost of the project is 76.000 US$.
Thank you again for your invaluable partnership in this vital Global Grant project. We look forward to welcoming you and your club members to Istanbul in the future, as well as visiting the hospital we are serving together.
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