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PhotoMEDAS valorisation as a medical device for infants' cranial deformation

Project for the valorisation and transfer of research to companies. Line 1. Valorisation, transfer and exploitation of R&D results by companies. Agencia Valenciana de Innovación (AVI): INNVA1/2022/53.

Smartphone and artificial intelligence-based technology optimisation to diagnose and monitor infant craniofacial deformation

Non-invasive and low-cost analysis and monitoring of cranial deformation in infants by means of 3D photogrammetry and smartphones

Health Research Project, Call 2018, Instituto de Salud ‘Carlos III’. Project reference number: PI18/00881.

GIFLE has developed the autonomous solution called PhotoMeDAS (Photogrammetric Medical Deformation Assessment Solutions) to build up cranial 3D models, quantify, diagnose and monitor crania using smartphones.

Cranial deformation is a conventional problem in clinical practice in the paediatric and paediatric neurosurgery services. Figures show graphically how the cranial deformation of an infant can be represented on an ideal reference surface. Our research group GIFLE aims to establish a low-cost disruptive methodology that allows the analysis of cranial deformation in a successful manner, i.e. quickly and with a high degree of precision, at least equivalent if not superior to other commonly used procedures in the market, such as calibre, craniometer or cephalometer, Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) and/or Magnetic Resonance Tomography/Imaging (MRT/MRI).

This research project between the Universitat Politècnica de València and the Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe aims to set the following essential objective: Development of a low-cost methodology that allows:

  • The analysis and monitoring of the cranial deformation in infants, in a precise way.
  • Its application in the usual clinical practice.

Results show that:

  • It is possible to generate 3D models through smartphones.
  • The precisions obtained are equivalent to those obtained with CAT or MRT/MRI.
  • The solution obtained is much more reliable than that achieved by medical specialists with metric tapes, craniometers or cephalometers.
  • Quantitative and qualitative monitoring of the head’s deformation is possible through web services.

PhotoMeDAS allows users the:

  • Measurement, quantification and earlier diagnose of either positional (non-synostotic) cranial deformations or craniosynostosis.
  • 3D visualisation, web interaction and precise measurement of the patients’ 3D models.
  • Monitoring of the cranial deformations: plagiocephaly (anterior and posterior), brachycephaly, dolicocephaly; and also craniosynostosis (simple and multiple), such as metopic crest, scaphocephaly, plagiocephaly and trigonocephaly, or brachycephaly, brachyturricephaly, cloverleaf skull, oxycephaly and turricephaly, respectively.

The developed methodology, Coded cap for cranial 3D measurement and diagnosis with a smartphone, is patented in Spain and USA. Spanish patent, OEPM: P201930355 - SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING USEFUL DATA FOR THE ANALYSIS OF BODY MORPHOMETRY AND ASSOCIATED METHOD.

Priority: 17/04/2019; Grant date: 26/11/2020.

Patent pending in Australia, Canadá, and EU (PCT/ES2020/070191).

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Related publications:

Combining machine learning and close-range photogrammetry for infant’s head 3D measurement: A smartphone-based solution.

Barbero-García, I., Pierdicca, R., Paolanti, M., Felicetti, A., Lerma, J. L., 2021. Measurement, 182, 109686.

Fully automatic smartphone-based photogrammetric 3D modelling of infant’s heads for cranial deformation analysis.

Barbero-García, I., Lerma, J.L., Mora-Navarro, G., 2020. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 166: 268-277.

Smartphone-based photogrammetric 3D modelling assessment by comparison with radiological medical imaging for cranial deformation analysis.

Barbero-García, I., Lerma, J.L., Miranda, P., Marqués-Mateu, Á., 2019. Measurement, 131: 372-379.

Smartphone-based close-range photogrammetric assessment of spherical objects.

Barbero-García, I., Cabrelles, M., Lerma, J.L., Marqués-Mateu, Á., 2018. The Photogrammetric Record, 33(162): 283-299.

Smartphone-based video for 3D modelling: Application to infant’s cranial deformation analysis.

Lerma, J.L., Barbero-García, I., Marqués-Mateu, Á., Miranda, P., 2018. Measurement, 116: 299-306.

3D photogrammetry in the characterization of deformational plagiocephaly in infants.

Miranda Lloret, P., Garrido García, P., Lerma, J.L., Barbero, I., Plaza Ramirez, E., Alberola, A., 2017. Neurocirugía, 28(Espec Congr): 146.

Syndromic craniosynostosis: photogrammetric evaluation and suturectomy at very early age.

Miranda Lloret, P., Garrido García, P., Lerma, J.L., Barbero, I., Plaza Ramirez, E., Alberola, A., 2017. Neurocirugía, 28(Espec Congr): 394.

Analysis of repeatability on videogrammetry for infants’ cranial deformation.

Barbero-García, I., Lerma, J.L., Marqués-Mateu, Á., Miranda, P., 2017. In: Primer Congreso en Ingeniería Geomática-CIGeo. Martín Furones, Á. (Ed.). Universitat Politècnica de València (pp. 15-19). Julio 5-6, Valencia, Spain.

Low-cost smartphone-based photogrammetry for the analysis of cranial deformation in infants.

Barbero-García, I., Lerma, J.L., Marqués-Mateu, Á., Miranda, P., 2017. World Neurosurgery, 102: 545-554.