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Kabir MA, Samad S, Ahmed F, Naher S, Featherston J, Laird C, Ahmed S. Mobile Apps for Wound Assessment and Monitoring: Limitations, Advancements and Opportunities. J Med Syst 2024; 48:80. [PMID: 39180710 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-024-02091-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
With the proliferation of wound assessment apps across various app stores and the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare apps, there is a growing need for a comprehensive evaluation system. Current apps lack sufficient evidence-based reliability, prompting the necessity for a systematic assessment. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the wound assessment and monitoring apps, identify limitations, and outline opportunities for future app development. An electronic search across two major app stores (Google Play store, and Apple App Store) was conducted and the selected apps were rated by three independent raters. A total of 170 apps were discovered, and 10 were selected for review based on a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. By modifying existing scales, an app rating scale for wound assessment apps is created and used to evaluate the selected ten apps. Our rating scale evaluates apps' functionality and software quality characteristics. Most apps in the app stores, according to our evaluation, do not meet the overall requirements for wound monitoring and assessment. All the apps that we reviewed are focused on practitioners and doctors. According to our evaluation, the app ImitoWound got the highest mean score of 4.24. But this app has 7 criteria among our 11 functionalities criteria. Finally, we have recommended future opportunities to leverage advanced techniques, particularly those involving artificial intelligence, to enhance the functionality and efficacy of wound assessment apps. This research serves as a valuable resource for future developers and researchers seeking to enhance the design of wound assessment-based applications, encompassing improvements in both software quality and functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ashad Kabir
- School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, 2795, NSW, Australia.
| | - Sabiha Samad
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chattogram, 4349, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Fahmida Ahmed
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chattogram, 4349, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Samsun Naher
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Chattogram, 4349, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Jill Featherston
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4YS, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Laird
- Principal Pedorthist, Walk Easy Pedorthics Pty. Ltd., Tamworth, 2340, NSW, Australia
| | - Sayed Ahmed
- Principal Pedorthist, Foot Balance Technology Pty Ltd, Westmead, 2145, NSW, Australia
- Offloading Clinic, Nepean Hospital, Kingswood, 2750, NSW, Australia
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Taghdi MH, Muttiah B, Chan AML, Fauzi MB, Law JX, Lokanathan Y. Exploring Synergistic Effects of Bioprinted Extracellular Vesicles for Skin Regeneration. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1605. [PMID: 39062178 PMCID: PMC11275222 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine represents a paradigm shift in healthcare, aiming to restore tissue and organ function through innovative therapeutic strategies. Among these, bioprinting and extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising techniques for tissue rejuvenation. EVs are small lipid membrane particles secreted by cells, known for their role as potent mediators of intercellular communication through the exchange of proteins, genetic material, and other biological components. The integration of 3D bioprinting technology with EVs offers a novel approach to tissue engineering, enabling the precise deposition of EV-loaded bioinks to construct complex three-dimensional (3D) tissue architectures. Unlike traditional cell-based approaches, bioprinted EVs eliminate the need for live cells, thereby mitigating regulatory and financial obstacles associated with cell therapy. By leveraging the synergistic effects of EVs and bioprinting, researchers aim to enhance the therapeutic outcomes of skin regeneration while addressing current limitations in conventional treatments. This review explores the evolving landscape of bioprinted EVs as a transformative approach for skin regeneration. Furthermore, it discusses the challenges and future directions in harnessing this innovative therapy for clinical applications, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and continued scientific inquiry to unlock its full therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal Hussein Taghdi
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (M.H.T.); (B.M.); (M.B.F.); (J.X.L.)
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medical Technology, University of Tripoli, Tripoli P.O. Box 13932, Libya
| | - Barathan Muttiah
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (M.H.T.); (B.M.); (M.B.F.); (J.X.L.)
| | | | - Mh Busra Fauzi
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (M.H.T.); (B.M.); (M.B.F.); (J.X.L.)
| | - Jia Xian Law
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (M.H.T.); (B.M.); (M.B.F.); (J.X.L.)
| | - Yogeswaran Lokanathan
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (M.H.T.); (B.M.); (M.B.F.); (J.X.L.)
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İnam O, El-Baz A, Kaplan HJ, Tezel TH. Colorimetric Analyses of the Optic Nerve Head and Retina Indicate Increased Blood Flow After Vitrectomy. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:12. [PMID: 39007833 PMCID: PMC467108 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.7.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of vitrectomy and posterior hyaloid (PH) peeling on color alteration of optic nerve head (ONH) and retina as a surrogate biomarker of induced perfusion changes. Methods Masked morphometric and colorimetric analyses were conducted on preoperative (<1 month) and postoperative (<18 months) color fundus photographs of 54 patients undergoing vitrectomy, either with (44) or without (10) PH peeling and 31 years of age and gender-matched control eyes. Images were calibrated according to the hue and saturation values of the parapapillary venous blood column. Chromatic spectra of the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid were subtracted to avoid color aberrations. Red, green, and blue (RGB) bit values over the ONH and retina were plotted within the constructed RGB color space to analyze vitrectomy-induced color shift. Vitrectomy-induced parapapillary vein caliber changes were also computed morphometrically. Results A significant post-vitrectomy red hue shift was noted on the ONH (37.1 degrees ± 10.9 degrees vs. 4.1 degrees ± 17.7 degrees, P < 0.001), which indicates a 2.8-fold increase in blood perfusion compared to control (2.6 ± 1.9 vs. 0.9 ± 1.8, P < 0.001). A significant post-vitrectomy increase in the retinal vein diameter was also noticed (6.8 ± 6.4% vs. 0.1 ± 0.3%, P < 0.001), which was more pronounced with PH peeling (7.9 ± 6.6% vs. 3.1 ± 4.2%, P = 0.002). Conclusions Vitrectomy and PH peeling increase ONH and retinal blood flow. Colorimetric and morphometric analyses offer valuable insights for future artificial intelligence and deep learning applications in this field. Translational Relevance The methodology described herein can easily be applied in different clinical settings and may enlighten the beneficial effects of vitrectomy in several retinal vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur İnam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayman El-Baz
- Bioengineering Department, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Henry J. Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Kentucky Lions Eye Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tongalp H. Tezel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Kentucky Lions Eye Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
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Phokaewvarangkul O, Kantachadvanich N, Buranasrikul V, Sanyawut K, Phumphid S, Anan C, Bhidayasiri R. Integrating technology into a successful apomorphine delivery program in Thailand: a 10-year journey of achievements with a five-motto concept. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1379459. [PMID: 38645746 PMCID: PMC11026563 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1379459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Apomorphine, a potent dopamine agonist, is a therapeutic option for patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations. However, the adoption of and adherence to this therapy have been limited by the need for complex delivery devices and specialized care as well as resource consumption, posing challenges for new physicians. Thailand is a unique example of a developing nation that has successfully implemented and continued the use of this therapy by employing cooperative technology that has dramatically enhanced apomorphine delivery services. Methods Establishing apomorphine delivery services requires significant resources and step-by-step solutions. We began our services by implementing various strategies in three chronological stages: the initial stage (2013-2015), intermediate stage (2016-2019), and current stage (2020-present), each presenting unique challenges. Together, we also implemented a proposed set of five mottos to strengthen our apomorphine delivery service. Using additive technology, we developed a patient registry platform that combined electronic data acquisition, video and remote monitoring using wearable sensors, and in-house mobile applications to support our service. Results At the initial stage, we assembled a team to enhance the efficacy and confirm the safety of apomorphine treatment in our hospital. At the intermediate stage, we expanded our apomorphine delivery services beyond just the patients at our hospital. We supported other hospitals in Thailand in setting up their own apomorphine services by educating both physicians and nurses regarding apomorphine therapy. With this educational undertaking, increased apomorphine-related knowledge among medical professionals, and a greater number of hospitals providing apomorphine services, an increasing number of patients were administered apomorphine in subsequent years. Currently, we are providing effective apomorphine delivery to improve patient outcomes and are seamlessly integrating technology into clinical practice. Incorporating integrative technologies in our apomorphine delivery program yielded positive results in data collection and support throughout patient care, in tracking patients' statuses, in the long-term use of this treatment, and in increasing medication adherence rates. Conclusion This perspective paper describes how technology can help provide supportive healthcare services in resource-constrained environments, such as in Thailand, offering a step-by-step approach to overcoming several limitations. The valuable insights from our 10-year journey in successfully integrating technology into apomorphine delivery services can benefit new physicians seeking to replicate our success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onanong Phokaewvarangkul
- Chulalongkorn Centre of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease & Related Disorders, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nithinan Kantachadvanich
- Chulalongkorn Centre of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease & Related Disorders, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Vijittra Buranasrikul
- Chulalongkorn Centre of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease & Related Disorders, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanyawat Sanyawut
- Chulalongkorn Centre of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease & Related Disorders, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Saisamorn Phumphid
- Chulalongkorn Centre of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease & Related Disorders, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chanawat Anan
- Chulalongkorn Centre of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease & Related Disorders, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Roongroj Bhidayasiri
- Chulalongkorn Centre of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease & Related Disorders, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- The Academy of Science, The Royal Science of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand
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Alabdulhafith M, Ba Mahel AS, Samee NA, Mahmoud NF, Talaat R, Muthanna MSA, Nassef TM. Automated wound care by employing a reliable U-Net architecture combined with ResNet feature encoders for monitoring chronic wounds. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1310137. [PMID: 38357646 PMCID: PMC10865496 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1310137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Quality of life is greatly affected by chronic wounds. It requires more intensive care than acute wounds. Schedule follow-up appointments with their doctor to track healing. Good wound treatment promotes healing and fewer problems. Wound care requires precise and reliable wound measurement to optimize patient treatment and outcomes according to evidence-based best practices. Images are used to objectively assess wound state by quantifying key healing parameters. Nevertheless, the robust segmentation of wound images is complex because of the high diversity of wound types and imaging conditions. This study proposes and evaluates a novel hybrid model developed for wound segmentation in medical images. The model combines advanced deep learning techniques with traditional image processing methods to improve the accuracy and reliability of wound segmentation. The main objective is to overcome the limitations of existing segmentation methods (UNet) by leveraging the combined advantages of both paradigms. In our investigation, we introduced a hybrid model architecture, wherein a ResNet34 is utilized as the encoder, and a UNet is employed as the decoder. The combination of ResNet34's deep representation learning and UNet's efficient feature extraction yields notable benefits. The architectural design successfully integrated high-level and low-level features, enabling the generation of segmentation maps with high precision and accuracy. Following the implementation of our model to the actual data, we were able to determine the following values for the Intersection over Union (IOU), Dice score, and accuracy: 0.973, 0.986, and 0.9736, respectively. According to the achieved results, the proposed method is more precise and accurate than the current state-of-the-art.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maali Alabdulhafith
- Department of Information Technology, College of Computer and Information Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abduljabbar S. Ba Mahel
- School of Life Science, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Nagwan Abdel Samee
- Department of Information Technology, College of Computer and Information Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noha F. Mahmoud
- Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences College, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rawan Talaat
- Biotechnology and Genetics Department, Agriculture Engineering, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Tamer M. Nassef
- Computer and Software Engineering Department, Engineering College, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October, Egypt
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Baseman C, Fayfman M, Schechter MC, Ostadabbas S, Santamarina G, Ploetz T, Arriaga RI. Intelligent Care Management for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Scoping Review of Computer Vision and Machine Learning Techniques and Applications. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2023:19322968231213378. [PMID: 37953531 DOI: 10.1177/19322968231213378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Ten percent of adults in the United States have a diagnosis of diabetes and up to a third of these individuals will develop a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in their lifetime. Of those who develop a DFU, a fifth will ultimately require amputation with a mortality rate of up to 70% within five years. The human suffering, economic burden, and disproportionate impact of diabetes on communities of color has led to increasing interest in the use of computer vision (CV) and machine learning (ML) techniques to aid the detection, characterization, monitoring, and even prediction of DFUs. Remote monitoring and automated classification are expected to revolutionize wound care by allowing patients to self-monitor their wound pathology, assist in the remote triaging of patients by clinicians, and allow for more immediate interventions when necessary. This scoping review provides an overview of applicable CV and ML techniques. This includes automated CV methods developed for remote assessment of wound photographs, as well as predictive ML algorithms that leverage heterogeneous data streams. We discuss the benefits of such applications and the role they may play in diabetic foot care moving forward. We highlight both the need for, and possibilities of, computational sensing systems to improve diabetic foot care and bring greater knowledge to patients in need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Baseman
- School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maya Fayfman
- Grady Health System, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Marcos C Schechter
- Grady Health System, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah Ostadabbas
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriel Santamarina
- Department of Medicine and Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Thomas Ploetz
- School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rosa I Arriaga
- School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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