Computer vision algorithms for diabetic foot ulcer detection
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study: computer vision algorithms to identify diabetic foot ulcers and common diabetic foot problems
IRAS ID
159863
Contact name
Neil Reeves
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
A diabetic foot ulcer is a very common complication of diabetes and is often a precursor to non-traumatic amputation. To a trained health care professional, the appearance of diabetic foot ulcer is a good indicator whether or not the ulcer will heal without any intervention. The appearance will also suggest if a diabetic foot ulcer will need specific intervention such as antibiotics for underlying infection, drainage if deep seated abscess is present or revascularization if there is a lack of good blood supply. Unfortunately a diabetic foot ulcer often presents to inexperienced health care professionals which results in a delay in any intervention that puts the patient at risk of amputation. In the last few years, there has been major advancements in computer vision technologies with application for face recognition, for example. In this study we want to explore if such technology can be applied successfully to the diabetic foot to automatically identify various diabetic foot pathologies.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0539
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion