Revolution in healthcare: AI becomes an expert in swallowing disorders!

Revolution in healthcare: AI becomes an expert in swallowing disorders!

In recent years, research into the analysis of swallowing processes through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly important. The focus is particularly on neurological diseases that lead to swallowing disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and strokes. Computer scientists at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) are developing an innovative tool for the automated evaluation of X-ray swallow images. The project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with around 390,000 euros. The aim of this development is to provide a more objective and precise analysis of the swallowing process, especially in older people and people with Parkinson's. Swallowing is normally an automatic process, but disorders often occur in certain groups of patients and can lead to serious complications such as aspiration, particularly in Parkinson's patients. FAU reported that X-ray swallowing videos visualize the path of food from the oral cavity to the stomach. The evaluation of these videos is currently done manually and is therefore subjective and prone to errors.

The AI-supported process that FAU is developing should be able to automatically analyze videos and identify anatomical landmarks. In the first project phase, neural networks are trained with anatomical data. A further step will be tracking the food pulp over time and detecting residues. In the final phase, the collected data should be transferred to a standardized grid and displayed in a bologram. These bolograms will enable faster decision-making in clinical practice and could make a significant contribution to the establishment of X-ray swallow studies in the German healthcare system.

Swallowing disorders and new technologies

Swallowing disorders, also known as dysphagia, pose a serious health risk. Prof. Kerstin Bilda from the Bochum University of Health emphasizes that these disorders can often lead to pneumonia. An international research project considered additional technologies for monitoring swallowing disorders. For example, Japan has developed a wearable neckband that uses AI to quantify swallowing and monitor vital signs. This data includes swallowing and breathing sounds as well as information about neck angle and pulse rate. HN NRW points out that the device can be used to provide support at home and in therapy and to derive recommendations for nutritional intake.

The use of the neck band will soon be tested in clinics in Japan, while in Germany data from people without swallowing problems will be collected to create normative data. The potential areas of application for the device could be in speech therapy, neurology and geriatrics and would also be strengthened across national borders through cooperation with Japanese researchers.

The role of artificial intelligence in medicine

The use of AI in medical diagnostics is not only evident in the analysis of swallowing processes. Digitalization makes it possible to use large amounts of data effectively, which benefits the early detection of diseases and the individualization of therapies. Loud Fraunhofer IKS AI and big data are key terms of future medicine. Intelligent data management has applications in areas such as clinical decision making, robotic surgery and medical imaging.

In summary, developments in AI-assisted swallowing diagnostics can not only improve the quality of service in healthcare, but also potentially save lives. The ongoing projects and technologies show the potential of AI to revolutionize medical diagnosis and treatment.