IIT Madras Develops AI-Powered Portable Ultrasound Scanner for Sports Injury Diagnosis

IIT-Madras develops scanner for sports injuries on field | Chennai News - Times of India

CHENNAI: In sporting fields, team physios have been ascertaining injuries before deciding whether to let the player continue, but this can be tricky as the symptoms may not always be accurate indicators of the gravity of the injuries. Now, a portable scanner promises to give a clearer picture on the field and take a better informed decision. The POCUS (portable point-of-care-ultrasound) scanner can scan any body part to determine whether it is just an inflammation or a tear of the muscle - or more.Researchers said the technology is AI-driven and different from the ones used in other commercial ultrasound scanners. "The thumb rule has been that the bigger the scanner, the better the quality of the image. This portable scanner changes that. It's small and cost-effective, yet produces high-quality images," said Arun K Thittai of department of applied mechanics and biomedical engineering, IIT Madras. "AI helps ascertain the extent of the injury." The scanner helps coaches and physios customise training regime for different sportspersons based on their individual needs and strengths. The research team headed by Thittai developed the scanner at the Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA) on the IIT campus. "This aims to bring the latest development in ultrasound technology to sports medicine beyond the hospital setting. Inputs from POCUS assessment will be taken into the bigger AI platform for a holistic athlete management system. It will help injury management as well," said the professor. A working POCUS prototype for musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging, developed at Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging Lab (BUSi), is ready. The team is planning to complete the product prototype development this year. It will be tested and pilot data from the field will be studied in coordination with sports authorities. "This is going to have a big impact on sporting fields," said CESSA CEO Ramesh Kumar.

From inflammation to muscle tear and beyond: POCUS, a portable device which precisely detects sports injuries, developed by IIT Madras

A new portable scanner developed by IIT Madras promises to revolutionize sports injury assessments. The AI-driven POCUS scanner offers real-time, precise evaluations of injuries right on the field, helping coaches and physios tailor training programs and potentially reducing recovery time for athletes.In the fast-paced world of sports, where every second counts, team physios often face the daunting task of determining the severity of a player's injury on the spot. With symptoms not always accurately reflecting the gravity of the situation, it can be a difficult call. However, a breakthrough in technology may change the game for good -- a portable scanner now promises to provide real-time, precise assessments right on the field. As per a TOI report, the innovative POCUS (Portable Point-of-Care Ultrasound) scanner, developed by researchers at IIT Madras, is a game-changer. Unlike traditional scanners, which are bulky and confined to hospitals, this AI-driven, compact device can scan any body part to reveal whether an athlete is dealing with a minor inflammation or something more severe, like a muscle tear. "The thumb rule has been that the bigger the scanner, the better the quality of the image. This portable scanner changes that. It's small and cost-effective, yet produces high-quality images," TOI quoted Arun K. Thittai, from the department of applied mechanics and biomedical engineering at IIT Madras as explaining. The AI integrated into the device enhances its ability to pinpoint the severity of an injury. "AI helps ascertain the extent of the injury," Thittai added. Coaches and physios can then tailor training programs to meet the specific needs of individual athletes, potentially reducing recovery time and preventing further injury. Developed at IIT Madras's Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA), this POCUS scanner aims to take sports medicine beyond the hospital setting. "This aims to bring the latest development in ultrasound technology to sports medicine beyond the hospital setting. Inputs from POCUS assessment will be taken into the bigger AI platform for a holistic athlete management system. It will help injury management as well," said Professor Thittai. The team has already developed a working prototype specifically for musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging. The next step is to refine the product and begin testing it on the field, with pilot data expected to be collected in collaboration with sports authorities. "This is going to have a big impact on sporting fields," said CESSA CEO Ramesh Kumar, underscoring the potential of this technology to revolutionize how injuries are managed in sports. (With TOI inputs)

IIT-Madras researchers develop portable ultrasound scanner for diagnosis of sports injuries

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have developed an indigenous portable Point-of-Care-Ultrasound (POCUS) Scanner for diagnosis of sports injuries. According to a press release, this device, from the institute's Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA), could potentially allow for on-field diagnosis of injuries and an immediate assessment of the extent of injury that will allow for medical professionals to take a call on whether to permit the sportsperson to continue playing. The researchers have already been granted several patents for the technologies that went into this device and are working towards productisation. The Artificial Intelligence-powered scanner has a wide range of applications in sports medicine. It has the benefits of safety - no radiation - and sufficient resolution compared to other modalities. A working POCUS prototype for Musculoskeletal imaging developed at the Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging Lab is currently ready. The researchers are looking at completing the product prototype development by 2024. Testing and collection of pilot data from the field is also being planned in coordination with sports authorities. Arun K. Thittai, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras, who led the team that developed this device, said that they observed a current technological gap and a need for a Point-of-Care device for injury management and rehabilitation of elite athletes within routine training premises. A quick assessment on the field would help sports players get immediate attention and focus on recovery. He added that the inputs from the POCUS assessment would be taken into the bigger AI platform for a holistic athlete management system. "We are currently exploring all options to take up POCUS for musculoskeletal imaging for commercial translation," Prof. Thittai, who is also a faculty member of CESSA, IIT Madras, said in the release. Published - September 17, 2024 05:20 pm IST Read Comments

IIT Madras researchers develop AI-powered ultrasound scanner for sports injury diagnosis

While as patients, the sportsperson gets access to the latest technologies used in the hospital setting, there is a gap in access to these medical devices/ technology in the sports arena. Elaborating on the need for such technologies, Prof. Arun K. Thittai, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras, who led the team that developed this device, said, "We observed a current technological gap and a need for a Point-of-Care device for injury Management and Rehabilitation of elite athletes within routine training premises. A quick assessment for musculoskeletal on the field will help sports players get immediate attention and focus on recovery." Also Read: The crucial role of skill-based education in shaping future engineers This research from the Center of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA) at IIT Madras could potentially allow for on-field diagnosis of injuries, and immediate assessment of the extent of injury that will allow for medical professionals to take a call on whether to permit the sportsperson to continue playing, mentioned IIT Madras. "This solution aims to bring the latest development in ultrasound technology to sports medicine beyond the hospital setting. The inputs from the POCUS assessment will be taken into the bigger AI platform for a holistic athlete management system. We are currently exploring all options to take up POCUS for MSK imaging for commercial translation," said Prof Arun K Thittai. A working POCUS prototype for Musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging, developed at the Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging Lab (BUSi) is currently ready. The researchers are targeting to complete the product prototype development by 2024. Subsequently, testing and collection of pilot data from the field are also being planned in coordination with Sports Authorities, mentioned the press release.