The project Biomedical photonics and machine learning for the diagnosis and treatment of ocular disorders, cognitive deterioration and haematological diseases (BIOPHOCH), led by the Centre for Sensors, Instruments and Systems Development (CD6), is designed to develop new tools and methodologies for image analysis and processing of data in the health area using photonic techniques.
Biomedical photonics is leading to revolutionary discoveries in the health sector, where light-based instruments are already used for non-invasive diagnoses and treatments of patients. These advances are accompanied by the generation of a large quantity of data. It is in this area that BIOPHOCH has the mission of obtaining efficient algorithms that could process the information that is gathered.
The project uses eye-tracking technology, spectral and confocal microscopy, among others, along with data analysis and machine learning algorithms to research and address the challenges in three medical areas:
Through machine learning, the aim is to offer the capacity to classify and identify data patterns, with similar reliability to that of experienced doctors.
BIOPHOCH brings together in one project a highly complementary team comprised of physicists, optical engineers, software engineers and optometrists from the CD6 and various hospitals, including the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO), Terrassa Health Consortium (CST) and Sant Joan de Déu Hospital (HSJD). It is also supported by companies in the medical sector.
As part of the State R+D+I Programme Oriented to the Challenges of Society of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, BIOPHOCH has a budget of 242,000 euros and lasts 3 years (September 2021 to August 2024).