The IBV uses artificial intelligence to improve the diagnosis of scoliosis
The Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) has led a research project, funded by the Innovation Department of the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness and Innovation (Ivace+i) to improve the diagnosis of scoliosis using artificial intelligence applied to medical imaging.
The Technology Centre has developed an algorithm to make it possible to identify and classify the severity of a scoliotic curve based on the calculation of the Cobb angle, the parameter that determines the severity of scoliosis and consequently the treatment to be followed.
This results in a much more accurate diagnosis of scoliosis, eliminating the bias that occurs between different observers. Because it is also much faster, it streamlines the clinician’s work and reduces the patient’s waiting time.
The results have raised considerable expectations among companies working in this clinical field, many of which have already shown a great willingness to continue this promising line of investigation in order to integrate the results into their healthcare processes for the diagnosis of scoliosis.
In the words of the Councillor for Innovation and President of Ivace+i, Marián Cano, “this translational research allows us to produce more significant and applicable results that directly benefit human health; an area in which the IBV is clearly leading the way”.
Javier Sánchez, the Managing Director of the IBV has said that “This research highlights the benefits of public-private collaboration and the role of technology centres such as the IBV in transferring results to the business fabric and society at large”.
In this same vein, Marián Cano has stressed that “technology centres are a huge asset for companies”, pointing out that every euro invested in the activities of technology institutes generates a return of 11.63 euros for society.
A growing sector
The health sector is currently undergoing a period of growth and profound change due to factors such as the introduction of new regulations, the use of new technologies and advances and improvements in the diagnosis, treatment, planning and execution of surgical procedures and health services in general.
The IBV study is one of the research projects included in the IMAMED project, which has received 200,000 euros in funding from Ivace+i and the European Union as part of the Valencian Community’s ERDF programme for the period 2021-2027.
In this project, the Technology Centre is working with healthcare companies and organisations to develop new tools based on medical imaging for research in clinical diagnosis, body modelling, segmentation and surgical planning.
The companies collaborating with the IBV in this project are ASCIRES GRUPO BIOMÉDICO (a biomedical group that is a pioneer in Spain in diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine, as well as a leader in radiation oncology), AVAMED SYNERGY (a pioneer in digital surgery, focused on improving surgical efficiency and precision), the IT3D GROUP (a leading group of companies in 3D scanning and digitisation solutions) and TEQUIR (a manufacturer of surgical implants).
