Summer Student Projects 2018

1 “The main objectives of this summer project are to Translate is a partnership between the universities of explore and research the Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds Beckett, and York that works to improve health and wealth by translating potential of soft actuators/ early stage ideas into new medical technologies. Funded by HEFCE (now Office for Students), the programme provides researchers at the partner universities with access to a dedicated elastomers in rehabilitative innovation team experienced in progressing technologies to market. It also provides a model for successful innovation, innovation training and technology which are development, and collaboration within the higher education sector. more versatile, lighter Translate aims to:

and potentially more n Identify and progress technology opportunities

n Increase innovation capability among effective than conventional Leeds City Region academics rigid materials used in n Foster and facilitate research that is better rehabilitative technology.” aligned to clinical, patient and public drivers

Sean Yong – University of Leeds In May 2018, Translate opened its summer student project scheme to support the progression of medical technologies. The scheme proved to be a great success, and 26 unique projects were funded.

2 SUMMER STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 3 StroMoHab android – Care home a mobile app for fast digitisation and easy analysis of gait

Project lead Project lead Professor Dorothy Monekosso My name is Jack Mckeown and I am Dr Adar Pelah My name is Michelle Sigauke and Email an Electronic Engineering student Email I am interested in technology, how [email protected] in the Department of Electronic [email protected] it is used to make processes more University Engineering at the University of York, University efficient. I am a recent BSc Business Leeds Beckett University and I have an interest in Android University of York Information Technology graduate development and programming in at Leeds Beckett University. general, as well as neural networks.

I interact with upper management and carers at care various sources. I also aim to determine care I recently completed a student summer project the video as certain gait events occur. A report is homes to increase my understanding of the digital home staffs’ perspective on using audio based at the University of York where I was responsible then compiled from this analysis session, which system that they are currently using, and analyse information gathering devices such as Alexa. The for creating an Android app in which a clinician documents the patient’s gait patterns. All of this the information I collect in order to conduct a review funding will help define the technologies that can use their phone to record a short sample can be done on a mobile phone, and only a short of different computational methods they can use in will be progressed and will support the scope of of a patient walking and extract basic gait video is required to measure the parameters, so their system to meet with their overall goal. I have innovation. Moreover it is an opportunity to test form parameters to assist with recognising any the app is quick, easy and convenient to use. conducted interviews with carers to gather their filling technologies and audio based technologies problems in the patient’s walking ability. The app has been demonstrated to consultants and perception towards using digital devices to assist to determine the impact that they will have on The gait of person refers to the manner in which has received positive feedback, with suggestions them in their daily tasks. In addition, I am teaching the functionality of the care homes and staff. they walk, and time and distance parameters for features to add to the app in the future. carers who are less confident with using computers Michelle Sigauke can be obtained from measuring events during a in order to decrease the digital divide. As a person Jack Mckeown person’s gait cycle. These parameters should have with an IT background my research interests are constant and known values, but if a person has a finding user-friendly technologies that can be used condition which impairs their ability to walk, these by carers to assist them in their daily tasks, for parameters will have unexpected values which can example carers using digital devices such as using be linked to certain conditions and disabilities. voice recognition devices or iPads to input data into resident records instead of using paper records. The aim of the app is to allow a clinician to make quick and easy measurements on a patient so The aims of the project are to conduct a digital they can assess the current condition of the audit in care homes in order to understand patient and compare parameters to previous the current system that is being used, and to sessions to see how the patient’s condition has determine data entry methods preferred by staff. changed. The patient is recorded using the Furthermore, I am to conduct an evaluation of phone’s camera. The clinician can then analyse digital methods for integrating information from

4 SUMMER STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 5 Development of remote and portable speech therapy An artificial intelligence based systems for the treatment system for the diagnosis of of Parkinson’s disease infectious keratitis in the cornea

Project lead My name is Jack Whiting and I My name is Ismael Tahir Fadl, and I Project lead Dr Anne Hurren & Dr Joy Tasker am a student at Leeds Beckett have a strong background in medical Professor Rami Qahwaji Email University. Having known people science, mathematics, physics and Email [email protected] [email protected] with Parkinson’s disease and the [email protected] technology. I always wanted to combine challenges faced by those diagnosed, this knowledge to help detect, diagnose University University University of Bradford the chance to decrease some of Leeds Beckett University and treat several diseases and did my the symptoms suffered drew me undergraduate degree course in Clinical to engage with the project. Technology at University of Bradford.

My current role within the project is to evaluate We did however need to assess hardware that could Some eye diseases if not detected and treated The performance evaluation of the system and test the microphones used for the therapy be easily shipped and used by patients for use early, such as infectious keratitis (bacterial, viral, was carried out by comparing the automatic sessions. I am also developing a prototype for a with the system in their own home. The funding fungal or parasitic), will dramatically alter vision, with the manually traced method, where the portable vocal effort prompt and related software. provided has allowed us to evaluate a range of generating severe complications which may induce automatic system detected the most suspected different microphones and calibration equipment. blindness. With the support of Dr. Mansour Youseffi, hyphae (fungal filaments). As a result, our The aim of the project is to provide an alternative This has allowed us to ensure ease of use for the Prof. Rami Qahwaji at University of Bradford and work with Manchester Royal Eye Hospital has therapy system based around a remote patients along with accurate and reliable data ophthalmologists at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital shown its clinical usefulness, demonstrating internet connection to a speech therapist. to advise more personalised therapy sessions. led by Mr. Arun Brahma, consultant ophthalmologist, remarkably high efficiency and reliability. This will help alleviate some of the issues this summer I had the opportunity to continue around transport, time and cost of attending To date I have tested our microphone range using Ismael Tahir Fadl developing my undergraduate final year project. regular face-to-face sessions. The system will an anechoic chamber. This has provided great function as an online videoconference with a results that we can use both in our project and to The aim of the project was to develop a software patient’s therapist and will also provide after advise on practices for current voice therapy. So far using artificial intelligence (AI) based methods session exercises and vocal practices. some of the current to identify fungal presence in acquired corneal methodologies confocal microscopy images; to provide an The second aim of the project is to provide a tested have intelligent approach that can detect early and wearable device capable of measuring and shown to provide promptly diagnose fungal corneal infection (fusarium evaluating a patient’s vocal level based on the real- somewhat keratitis) to save an important amount of time time background noise. This will take the form of a inaccurate data for ophthalmologists and clinicians. Also, as the proof-of-concept prototype, which will be tested with and can easily be response to treatment can be difficult to assess patients in order to assess what form of feedback improved through using clinical examinations alone, the developed is most appropriate for day-to-day activities. better practice. system can help the clinicians to make the diagnosis The university has provided much of the necessary then start the correct treatment more quickly. Jack Whiting software required to develop the project’s systems.

6 SUMMER STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 7 Distributed wearable RFID system for indoor patient Designing and building a prototype tracking and monitoring UV exposure and control system

My name is Wafa Shuaieb and I am a Project lead My name is Aun Ahmed and after Project lead PhD Student at Faculty of Engineering Professor Raed Abd-Alhameed finishing my BEng degree in Medical Dr Pete Twigg and Informatics, University of Bradford. Email Engineering, I was looking for a way to Email My project will present an approach [email protected] apply my knowledge and build upon [email protected] for monitoring and tracking patients, University skills that I had acquired. This summer University especially elderly patients, using a University of Bradford research has project allowed me me to University of Bradford low cost and passive radio frequency do just and provided me with relevant identification (RFID) system. experience in my field of interest.

The work I will undertake will use new simply remained static without any movement. The The main aspect of this project is to design, model, and healthcare technology skills such as methodologies based on low-cost wearable and proposed system can be enhanced later to include build, and program a UV exposure control system. designing and building medical instruments. light sensors in the form of cheap RFID tags, which automated early warning system for triggering The reason for building this device is that the This project has allowed me to think outside can readily be embedded in regular clothing items. a given help mechanism at the right time. research incorporated into it is innovative and can of the box in designing the perfect application, help change the face of laboratory diagnostics. The received signal strength (RSS) from the To achieve our aim, very cheap RFID tags, each work independently to find creative solutions Currently, biopsies are used for many diagnostic RFID tags, which are carefully placed at selected with a known ID value, is attached to 7 selected to problems and build my confidence procedures; however, they can often be long and places on the body of the patient, are decoded locations on the patient body, and each location in working to convert theory and paper inaccurate. This new method was thus developed and used for accurately tracking the vertical and is monitored by a set of 8 tags. The summer ideas into concrete tangible products. that was as easy as a simple blood test. horizontal positioning of a patient within a confined project funding will help me to achieve my aim Aun Ahmed space and at any time. It is intended that RFID and develop the methodology for providing useful I have been working on an exposure system that fingerprinting methodology will be used for inferring heath behaviour metrics of a patient at risk. was modelled and then translated into Solidworks. a patient position and orientation in real time. There were many trial and error experiments Wafa Shuaieb we had to go through that meant the designs The methodology developed could readily be required considerable alterations. The final applied in various health care and household designs were then sent to be cut and milled in the settings. Six positions have been carefully selected workshop. I am also working with programming to represent a useful set of patient positions and the Arduino Nano to control the UV light control orientations as part of daily activity. These positions system, which will allow us to have complete can readily be used to infer a relative patient health control over the duration of the exposure system. indicator. For example, the system could detect when the patient is in a risky situation, such as I am applying and relying upon various aspects when the patient has fallen on the floor, has stayed of past knowledge gained from my degree, such for a longer than the normal period in bed, or as using 3D cad-cam Solidworks software

8 SUMMER STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 9 User interface for a voice therapy biofeedback device for clients with Parkinson’s disease

My name is Mark Rochman and I am interested in Acoustical Sciences and Audio Software Engineering. My previous Project lead Dr Anne Hurren & Dr Joy Tasker research has been primarily focussed around Acoustics: more specifically Email [email protected] the standardised measurement [email protected] and characterisation of acoustical University diffusers, and the measurement of Leeds Beckett University performance and listening rooms for their acoustical attributes.

Prior to graduating, I was approached by senior environment. The impact that a room’s acoustic can lecturer in Acoustical Sciences Joy Tasker, who have on sound measurements is largely overlooked was working with Naomi de Graff and Anne in this area of research, and this marriage of Speech Hurren, senior lecturers in Speech and Language and Language Sciences and Acoustical Sciences Sciences, to help develop software for use by could potentially have international significance. Speech & Language Therapists for patients with With input from interviews with Speech and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). They had identified Language Therapists and patients with PD, we a promising area of research and development seek to identify and refine exactly what would around assessment and therapy for patients be desirable in our new software system. The with PD, which requires further exploration. feedback thus far has been positive and we aim The aims of this project were to create software to implement evidence based protocols with and protocols which will facilitate the remote stakeholder contributions into our system. delivery of speech therapy to patients’ homes, Mark Rochman and create portable therapy biofeedback devices to unobtrusively monitor and display a patient’s speech level in their daily lives, along with programmed “homework” exercises to help maintain gains made in therapy sessions. My role within this project has been to apply my knowledge of Acoustics and Software Engineering to build a user-friendly and easy to use system, which is fully calibrated to account for the user’s acoustic

10 SUMMER STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 11 Low-cost laparoscopic (key-hole) surgical equipment for developing countries

Project lead Dr Peter Culmer & Dr William Bolton Email [email protected] [email protected] Rigorous evaluation of the mechanical lift device used to facilitate University gasless lift laparoscopic surgery is required to ensure it is safe and University of Leeds effective. The lift device holds up the front of the abdominal wall to give the surgeons space to insert instruments and manipulate tissues. 3D surface scan raw images comparing the abdominal wall shape of conventional laparoscopic surgery and gasless lift laparoscopic surgery

With the help of Translate and the NIHR GHRG- of the procedure. A technique known as gasless The main outcomes from the study were that research methodology, laboratory skills, device ST, we delivered an interdisciplinary student lift laparoscopic surgery (GLLS) overcomes these in cadavers, the field of view is equivalent and design skills and scientific writing skills. They driven project to address two main challenges of challenges and can be done under a simple spinal adequate according to a range of surgeons are currently in the process of writing the translating gasless lift laparoscopic surgery (GLLS) anaesthetic which is more readily available in and objectively validated using a surface project up as a manuscript for submission to a into clinical practice more widely. These were: low-resource settings. GLLS has the potential to scanner, helping us allay fears that GLLS is peer-reviewed journal and the results are being dramatically increase the number of patients who detrimental to operative field of view. We were presented at the Association of Rural Surgeons 1. Concerns around poorer field of view in GLLS can access this minimally invasive technique. The able to 3D print and prototype an ultra-low-cost of India (ARSI) Conference in November 2018. compared to conventional laparoscopic. advantages of key hole surgery are just as great, if simple mechanical lift force sensor which was 2. The abdominal wall lift device may put not greater, for poorer underserved populations. successfully installed into the existing lift device too much force through the abdominal and validated via a series of bench tests. The project involved engineers and medics in a wall and cause damage inadvertently. multidisciplinary team. The engineers focused on This project has given us the data required to Laparoscopic (key hole) surgery offers many the development and calibration of force meters translate this technology to the next stage along advantages over open surgery including quicker to ensure the lift device is applied at the correct the innovation pipeline. Future work this year and recovery for the patient, less pain post-operatively force. The medical student in this project provided in 2019 will be focused on evaluating this device and better cosmetic results. It is the gold-standard the essential clinical insight necessary to inform further, this time in humans. Ultimately, we believe technique for several common life-threatening the delivery of the project and design of the device. this device can completely transform the way conditions such as appendicitis and gallbladder They provided day-to-day clinical expertise and laparoscopic surgery is delivered for some of the disease, as well as gynaecological procedures. In worked alongside the engineers in this project. world’s poorest populations, greatly improving low-resource settings, such as developing countries, In particular they helped lead a cadaveric trial access to this life saving surgical treatment. laparoscopic surgery is difficult to perform as the where we evaluated the field of view created by Importantly, this project allowed an interdisciplinary conventional laparoscopic technique requires conventional vs GLLS using a range of surgeons. team of students to develop some essential piped gases, air tight equipment and a general This element of the project was vital to get key translational skills and knowledge including anaesthetic. These all greatly increase the cost stakeholder feedback from clinical team members.

12 SUMMER STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 13 The use of multiview videos Scaffolds for breast cancer in measuring depression and tissue regeneration

Project lead Project lead Dr Akbar Sheikh-Akbari Dr Farshid Sefat My name is Bruhanth Mallik and I Email Email am finishing a PhD on 3D videos [email protected] [email protected] under Dr Akbar Sheikh Akbari’s University University supervision at School of Computing, Leeds Beckett University My name is Morteza Bazgir and University of Bradford Creative Technology and Engineering I’m a PhD research student at in Leeds Beckett University. the University of Bradford.

My PhD research is primarily focused towards condition. The multiview video based algorithm As a PhD student, my current project mainly focuses to the production of a single device with unique and developing 3D video processing techniques. The will then be used to develop a test model, which on the fabrication and characterisation of various state-of-the-art properties including drug targeting class of 3D videos I am looking into are texture would then be used to conduct a feasibility study. biodegradable scaffolds for tissue engineering for the post-surgical treatment of breast cancer and based multiview videos. In addition to multimedia Ultimately, this research could result in developing of tubular vascular graft as well as developing other types of cancer which can be exploited further. uses, multiview videos have been used in a a non-invasive technology for helping doctors to tissue engineered scaffolds for individuals who For future work, the polymers used for targeting range of applications in the medical field. measure the level of depression in patients. have been diagnosed with breast cancer. are implantable in animal models and we aim to carry out subsequent pre-clinical trials in 2019-20. I am keen on broadening my knowledge of 3D Bruhanth Mallik The aim of this project is to develop a new video applications as this is one of the actively composite scaffold with a dual functional purpose Morteza Bazgir studied fields in computer vision. I am interested by using an electrospinning device. This will be used in the application of multiview videos in the field in breast cancer treatment due to metastatic risk of medicine especially for the study of depression, and tissue regeneration being high following surgery. due to its non-invasive nature of diagnosis. To date, the tissue engineered scaffolds have been successfully obtained using an electrospinning The aim of the project is to develop a proof of machine. We have carried out various tests to concept of an autonomous system that can read validate the characteristics of our scaffolds and changes in facial features and quantify the severity currently we are working on scaffold cell viability. of depression in adults that would complement questionnaire based psychometric diagnosis This project will open up opportunities for further results. In this project my role is to develop a funding and eventual commercialisation. The multiview video based algorithm to accurately commercialisation opportunities will be aimed to analyze and precisely measure the subtle motion advanced medical technology products through the changes in facial muscles, which would assist in in-house manufacturing of a prototype with multi- identifying the intensity of a patient’s depression purpose regenerative possibilities. This work will lead

14 SUMMER STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 15 Application of hyper-spectral Development of CEAS (Corneal imaging for vein detection Endothelium Analysis System)

Project lead Project lead Dr Akbar Sheikh-Akbari Professor Rami Qahwaji My name is Md Akmol Hussain and Email Email I am finishing a PhD on image colour [email protected] [email protected] constancy adjustment under Dr Akbar University University Sheikh Akbari’s supervision at School Leeds Beckett University University of Bradford of Computing, Creative Technology and My name is Alaa Nassar and I am a Engineering in Leeds Beckett University. student at the University of Bradford.

My research interests include computer vision and vein detection. This investigation may lead to further I am working on improving the performance and system have been demonstrated with an image processing. I have started exploring hyper- research in developing a new non-intrusive medical the accuracy of an automated real-time system execution time of only 6 seconds per image. spectral imaging technologies and their application device to help nurses. On success of this summer called the Corneal Endothelium Analysis System This funding enabled me to work on further for vein detection after having a discussion with student project, we are hoping to secure knowledge (CEAS) used for the segmentation and computation improving the performance of the CEAS software. my supervisor last year, when he showed me and expertise that we need to seek additional of endothelial cells in images of the human cornea For example, we were able to test two different some hyper-spectral images that he captured research funding to continue this research, with obtained by in vivo corneal confocal microscopy. pre-processing methods to reduce noise and on his secondments at Strathclyde University. the aim of developing a product that can directly The main aim of my summer student project was enhance the image quality of endothelial cell Having previous knowledge of image classification help patients and improve NHS visit satisfaction. to develop new diagnostic tools for extracting boundaries. In addition, the effectiveness and techniques, I was intrigued at the potential of Md Akmol Hussain clinical features from the cornea’s endothelium robustness of the CEAS software has also been hyper-spectral imaging for veins, as the veins are layer. Abnormalities of the corneal endothelial used in processing different types of images more apparent in some hyperspectral sub-bands. cells may be associated with a number of corneal acquired by in-vivo specular microscopy. To my knowledge, no research is currently being and systemic diseases. For instance, damage to conducted into the use of hyper-spectral imaging for Alaa Nassar the endothelial cells can significantly affect the vein detection, making it an exciting research project corneal transparency by altering the hydration which has potential to help both nurses and patients. of the corneal stroma, which is associated with The aim of this summer student project is to assess irreversible endothelial cell pathology requiring the performance of various image classification corneal transplantation. To date, quantitative algorithms for detecting and locating veins within analysis of corneal sub-basal nerve and endothelial hyper-spectral images in order to help nurses with cell abnormalities has been manually performed injection. This summer student funding helps me by ophthalmologists using time-consuming and explore existing vein detection technologies and highly subjective semi-automatic tools, which investigate the application of hyper-spectral imaging require an operator interaction. The effectiveness in conjunction with image classification methods for and robustness of the endothelial cell segmentation

16 SUMMER STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 17 More summer student projects from 2018

Touchless radio-frequency identification Microwave Imaging for Early Building biosensors Investigating bacteria for patient monitoring Breast Cancer Detection for diagnostics and binding polymers Supervisor name Supervisor name Supervisor name Supervisor name Professor Raed Abd-Alhameed Professor Raed Abd-Alhameed Professor Paul Millner Dr Tom Swift University University University University University of Bradford University of Bradford University of Leeds University of Bradford Supervisor email Supervisor email Supervisor email Supervisor email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Student name Student name Student name Student name George Oguntala Ahmed Faraz Declan Fawcett Mariya Kalinichenko

Use of aptamer technology in early Developing a smartphone camera Development of synthetic Glove sensors for monitoring detection of ovarian cancer for medical imaging ligaments for joint repair Alzheimer’s disease Supervisor name Supervisor name Supervisor name Supervisor name Dr Farideh Javid Dr. Thomas Krauss Dr Pete Twigg Dr Sareen Galbraith University University University University University of Huddersfield University of York University of Bradford Leeds Beckett University Supervisor email Supervisor email Supervisor email Supervisor email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Student name Student name Student name Student name Navinder Singh Laura Galindo-Blanco Nasira Haque Tristan Beranger

Electrospun material for Wireless power transfer Improving the diagnosis of breast cancers Developing the design of controlled drug release in robotics through the detection biomarkers exoskeletal mechanisms Supervisor name Supervisor name Supervisor name Supervisor name Dr Pete Twigg Professor Ian Robertson Professor Mohamad El-Tanani Dr Zhiqiang Zhang University University University University University of Bradford University of Leeds University of Bradford University of Leeds Supervisor email Supervisor email Supervisor email Supervisor email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Student name Student name Student name Student name Zoyha Azhar Chigozirim Ibeabuchi Yani El-Tanani Sean Yong

18 SUMMER STUDENT PROJECTS 2018 19