MAHE launches cost effective diagnostic tool for spinal disorder

Team Udayavani, Nov 29, 2019, 4:06 PM IST

Manipal: A 3D diagnostic and treatment planning tool for spinal disorders called ‘SPINAK’ was launched at Manipal Academy of Higher Education here on Friday by Pro Chancellor, Dr H.S. Ballal and Dean KMC, Manipal Dr Sharath Rao. The cost-effective software was jointly developed by Kumudha Health Tech Pvt Ltd, a unit under MUTBI and Department of Orthopaedics, KMC, MAHE, Manipal.

The product is an online web-based diagnostic tool for spinal disorders such as scoliosis. It is available as “SPINAK”. It takes two x-rays (frontal and lateral) as input. The stereo-radiographic algorithm then generates a 3D model of the spine using features extracted from these images and the deformities are quantified by the software. The axial vertebral rotation and spinal curvatures are automatically measured from the 3D model and a report is generated as an output. There is an option in the user interface to order for a 3D printed model for treatment planning.

The product, therefore, replaces CT and MRI, reducing the financial burden of poor patients by simply using two x-rays captured for the follow up. This is an innovative product designed and developed by Dr. Sampath Kumar, Department of Electronics & Communications, Dr. Hareesha K S, Department of Computer Applications, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal in association with Dr. Shymsunder Bhat, Department of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Medical College, MAHE, Manipal

Addressing media persons after the launch, Dr H.S. Ballal highlighted the support provided by such software in shaping the doctor’s workflow, decision making, feedback and subsequent follow-up measures. He also mentioned that to bring down the cost by one tenth of CT/MRI is significant contributions to the society as a whole.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Sharath Rao, Dean, KMC speaking about the complexity of the spine, he mentioned scoliosis is a 3-dimensional deformity for which the opportunities present in the tools and potential to help health care professionals to address or mitigate human diagnostic limitations. Also, Dr.D.Srikanth Rao, Director, MIT emphasized the advantages of interdisciplinary collaborative research work can provide affordable and cost effective solutions to the societal issues.

Dr. Sampath Kumar, Managing Director, Kumudha Health Tech Pvt Ltd while describing the product working process, also insisted doctors to use the feature of 3D printing the model to plan their pre-surgery for more accuracy and less time. Dr Hareesha KS, Director, KHTPL has agreed to a 50% discounted pricing support of this facility to KMC.