NIVS - Non-Contact Imaging for Vital Sign Monitoring
Overview: Several medical conditions require accurate monitoring of heart rate and respiratory rate. However, contact-based devices which are typically used to measure these vital signs may be of discomfort and may pose risks to patients. Non-contact imaging systems can solve this problem, however, existing systems suffer from a number of limitations that severely constrain their use in practical scenarios. We are developing novel data fusion and video analysis approaches to overcome these limitations and enable continuous long term non-contact monitoring in real-life environments.
Period: 2018 - ongoing
Funding: MCST Fusion Commercialisation Voucher Programme 2018
DRIFT - Dense Recording of In-Shoe Foot Temperatures
Overview: Individuals with diabetes are at risk of developing foot ulceration, which can lead to serious foot complications, posing a significant financial burden both on the individual and on society. Abnormal skin temperature has been identified as a key player in tissue breakdown. This project proposes the development of a portable temperature in-shoe system to be used during normal daily activities in order to monitor any abnormal skin temperature patterns in the foot which are indicative of ulcer development. These are a major concern in diabetic patients.
Period: 2018 - ongoing
Funding Awards: MCST Fusion Commercialisation Voucher Programme 2018
BrainApp - Brain Controlled Applications
Overview: A brain-computer interface (BCI) gives a person the ability to communicate with and control machines using brain signals instead of peripheral muscles. BCIs allow people with severely restricted mobility to control devices around them, increasing level of independence and improving quality of life. BCIs may also be used by healthy individuals, e.g. in gaming, and are expected to become a ubiquitous alternative means of communication and control. Our BCI experience and growing interest in BCIs provide an opportunity to innovate and break new ground in BCIs. This project proposes the development of a novel application controlled directly with brain signals, opening up accessibility to individuals suffering from motor disabilities, and providing alternative access methods to healthy individuals.
Period: 2016 - ongoing
Funding Awards: MCST Fusion Commercialisation Voucher Programme (R&I-2015-132-V)
MCST Fusion Technology Development Programme (R&I-2015-132-T )
WALNUT Music Player
Overview: We are developing the WALNUT Music Player, a brain-controlled music player app for mobile devices. A user wearing the WALNUT headband can simply look at the icon of interest on the music player app to select and control the music. The music player icons elicit particular brain patterns that are detected and translated into commands by the system. While the product was initially developed for persons with an extreme physical disability, WALNUT is particularly suited for runners, cyclists, sportspeople and other individuals who up to now have had to interrupt the pace of their activity to modify the music they are listening to.
Period: 2013 - 2015
Funding Awards: TAKEOFF Seed Fund Award 2014
Malta Innovation Awards 2013
TIPMID - Thermal Imaging for Peripheral Vascular Disease Monitoring in Diabetics
Overview: Diabetic patients are at a significantly higher risk of major amputation throughout their lifetime compared to the general population. In this group of patients, peripheral arterial disease leads to poor perfusion of the limb or limbs affected compared to the upper limbs. This may result in minor temperature changes in the affected periphery compared to a normally perfused limb. These patients also commonly suffer from peripheral neuropathy and the combination of neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease puts them at significantly increased risk for foot ulceration and infection. This often leads to a localised inflammatory process which may be detected by a subtle increase in temperature at the site even prior to any visible signs of inflammation.
In this project a novel clinical investigation to study the effectiveness of thermography for evaluating peripheral arterial disease will be carried out. Image processing techniques will be implemented to speed up the process and aid in the diagnosis.
Period: 2014 - ongoing
Funding: MCST Research and Innovation Grant (R&I-2013-028)
MindSet
Overview: Mind Set is an interdisciplinary, collaborative project between the Centre for Biomedical Cybernetics, Department of Systems and Control Engineering and Moveo Dance Company, focused on building up a new viewer-centred performance. It aims at translating brain activity into actions without acting physically, through the use of Brain Computer Interface (BCI) Technology. This performance will marry this emerging technology to contemporary dance to create a world first: an innovative performance where the audience’s brain activity and the dancers’ movement communicate to create a unique performance. In this space all actions, being physical or neurological, including both the dancers’ and those of the audience, can be detected. They will interact with each other through visual and audio effects. This real-time reactive dance performance is one in which the visuals are as important as the movements themselves. These qualities will be affected by the audience thus creating high levels of real-time interaction and a close relationship between dance, people, sound and visuals.
Funding Awards: Science in the City, Malta
Malta Arts Fund