The general objective of the IMAGE project is to create and develop the National Research and Development-Innovation Network (RDI) in Hybrid Imaging (merger) and advanced telemedicine in Gastroenterology and Cardiology. For this purpose, two regional centers (for the North and the South half of the country) of RDI in Hybrid Imaging and Advanced Telemedicine will be created as diagnostic support and second opinion for a national network of telemedicine centers. The IMAGE project will have four Integrated Departments based on cloud-based IT technologies: A) Department of Gastroenterology (and Oncology): high-definition (HD) equipment of digestive endoscopy and fusion ultrasound, respectively ultrasonographic endoscopy B) Department of Cardiology: non-invasive equipment for the diagnosis and evaluation of cardio-vascular disorders, including by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (RM) C) Department of Telemedicine: national telemedicine network composed of telemedicine centres, in particular at the level of the primary medicine network D) IT department: integrative hardware and software resources, consisting mainly of telemedicine systems in real time or by storage (store-and-forward), with “cloud” component The contribution of the project to increasing research performance and international cooperation The implementation of the National Research-Development-Innovation Network IMAGE will have the direct consequence of increasing the research performance in the private environment, namely the creation of a public – private synergy through the connections and collaborations that the researchers involved in the project have with public research institutions, in particular with the 6 Universities of Medicine and Pharmacy (Bucu-rești, Cluj, Craiova, Iasi, Târgu Mures and Timisoara), but also with Clinical and Emergency Hospitals affiliated to university centers. Collaborations with other small and medium-sized enterprises with proven activity in R & D and innovation will be developed, through the infrastructure created being developed the premises for submitting joint projects in partnership, financed at national or inter-national level, by accessing Horizon 2020 grants in dedicated competitions for SMEs (https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/calls/h2020-smeinst-1-2015.html). Currently, international collaborations between the private sector and similar international academic or hospital institutions are sporadic in Romania. The development of the Telemedicine Network and Regional CDI Centers for Hybrid Imaging and Advanced Telemedicine in Gastroenterology and Cardiology will allow the coagulation of individual efforts and the creation of a critical mass in the private system at educational and research level, as well as the development of innovative medical services that are lacking in public or private institutions in the region. Institutional collaborations will be developed punctually through co-relationships
