RheumaScan: System for individual diagnostics and therapy monitoring for rheumatic hand complaints

Background

For some years now, doctors can use a new imaging method for the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the hands, the contrast-agent-supported fluorescence diagnostics (rheumatism scan). The first typical imaging characteristics of the various inflammatory diseases could be successfully identified. Computer-aided image and video analysis is intended to automate the diagnosis of rheumascan examinations. 

As part of a consortium, the Telematics Research Group is responsible for the computer-supported analysis of acquired patient data and the resulting development of a methodology, mathematics and algorithms for automated analysis and evaluation.

The approach is to research and develop new image and video processing methods for fully automated diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the hands. The  characteristics relevant for diagnosis will be quantified uniformly for all patients, thus enabling a statistical analysis for both initial diagnosis and therapy monitoring which has not been possible up to now. 

The methodology of computer-supported image and video analysis includes methods of object recognition, anatomical localization, feature recognition on the basis of color and texture, as well as mathematical modeling of intensity dynamics locally and in the area and others. In addition, methods of machine learning (artificial intelligence) are used to find unknown features relevant for diagnosis. 

Project volume

202,068 Euro

Duration

2019 - 2022

Funding source

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) | Chronische Schmerzen - Innovative medizintechnische Lösungen zur Verbesserung von Prävention,  Diagnostik und Therapie