Publicly Funded Projects

Neurosys

Funded by: BMBF

Period: 01/2022 - 12/2024

The NeuroSys (neuromorphic systems) project aims to make Germany a world-leading location for the development of neuromorphic hardware. To this end, many institutions from science (such as RWTH Aachen University), industry and society have joined forces to cover research and development as well as production, application and ethics. The fields of application of artificial intelligence are diverse, and intelligent systems are increasingly expected to be used in mobile devices. Instead of having to limit performance in such a case, the focus here is on the development of hardware that is to be explicitly designed for the implementation of neural networks ("neuromorphic") and will therefore be significantly more efficient than, for example, conventional general processing units (GPUs). The Chair of Medical Information Technology is working on the application of these novel structures in the field of camera- and deep learning-based diagnostics.

SmartInkuTemp

Funded by: BMBF

Period: 12/2020 - 12/2023

The aim of the project is to control the temperature of a premature infant incubator using infrared thermography. By using infrared thermography, it is possible to measure the temperature not only at a few points, but spatially resolved and contactless on the skin surface of the patient, whereby the patient himself becomes part of the control loop. In this way, we hope for a significant reduction in the risk of infectious diseases, as well as an individualized and optimized heat therapy.

MyoFusion

Funded by: German Research Foundation ("Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft", DFG)

Period: 09/2020 – 08/2023

To improve the estimation and control of the interactive force between robot and users, a robust algorithm for the correct estimation of muscle force or muscle torque will be developed. In this project by combining electromyography (EMG) and impedance myography (EIM). This should provide a new quantitative assessment tool for muscle activity, describing in particular the interactive force / torque development between robot and user.

ValidEIT

Funded by: German Research Foundation ("Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft", DFG)

Period: 03/2020 – 04/2022

The goal of the project is validating the use of EIT (Electrical Impedance Tomography) for non-invasive lung perfusion monitoring. To this end, the heart sources of the signal are investigated through three major research vectors: animal trials, signal modelling and algorithm development. Ultimately, this knowledge can provide novel possibilities to optimize and automate bedside lung therapy.

InDiThera

Funded by: BMBF

Period: 09/2019 – 08/2022

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. Early diagnosis dramatically increases the chance of survival. However, due to various factors such as radiation exposure, many women forego the opportunity to undergo preventive medical checkups. In the project "Integration of image-guided breast cancer diagnostics with minimally invasive laser therapy" - InDiThera, a system is to be developed which allows tumors to be detected and treated without X-rays. Our chair is responsible for the imaging reconstruction with the help of electrical impedance tomography. Based on these data, malignant tumors will then be detected using machine learning methods.

SET

Funded by: EIT Health (EU)

Period: 07/2019 - 03/2021

Seated Exercise Technology to walk in balance (SET) is an innovative solution to improve gait and balance in an elderly population at high risk for falls. SET is a motorized chair-like device designed to rehabilitate walking and balance. It applies gentle contralateral movement between the trunk, the pelvis, and the thighs to emulate normal human walking pattern. The aims of the EU-project are testing SET in a relevant clinical environment and bringing SET to the market.

SIRIO

Funded by: German Research Foundation ("Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft", DFG)

Period: 08/2018 – 08/2021

The aim of the project SIRIO (Systemic Inflammatory Response Indication Observer) is the development of a hybrid camera monitoring system for an early detection of symptoms of a sepsis in premature infants. Within the project, the camera-based techniques „Photoplethysmography Imaging“ (PPGi) and „Infrared Imaging“ are supposed to be fused to acquire the vital state of neonates contactless from short distances. For the measured parameters, first septic indications shall be automatically recognized to derive a „scoring“ parameter, which is based on the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS).

HIL-Lung

Funded by: German Research Foundation ("Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft", DFG)

Period: 04/2018 – 06/2021

This project aims to model the interaction of an artificial lung with the circulation of the subsequent implant recipient and to make it accessible for physical tests. Using object-oriented modeling, the temporal dynamics of the gas exchange in the lungs and the hydraulic properties of the circuit connected to the lungs will be simulated in real time. Based on a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test bench to be established, a prototype for an automated test environment will be established, with which biological, technical and hybrid artificial lungs can be investigated and characterized with regard to their functionality. In addition to water, blood will also be used as a transport medium in order to create as realistic an image of reality as possible and also to be able to address questions of gas transfer performance and hemocompatibility in a realistic manner. Accordingly, a hydraulic interface is established, which is sufficiently similar to the physiological system in terms of its input-output behavior (in terms of pressures, pulsatile blood flow, etc.). In addition to simulated flow and potential signals (i.e. differential pressure curves), measurement data collected in previous animal experiments can also be imported to the HIL test rig and used to test the behavior of newly developed implants. This feature of HIL systems contributes decisively to the reduction of animal experiments. Furthermore, at the system level, questions regarding functional safety (e.g. in case of component failure), robustness, automation and control as well as monitoring can be investigated and answered at an early stage.