AI-enabled device show promise for monitoring traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide that can result in long-term difficulties with memory, concentration and problem solving.

According to Imperial, TBIs need to be continuously monitored during treatment, and for this reason intracranial probes are used in neurocritical care settings to monitor key indicators of injury progression (biomarkers) such as like pressure and oxygen in the brain.

Some of these probes can measure only one biomarker at a time whilst others can monitor several biomarkers but require several tubes inserted into the brain, which risks causing further tissue damage or infections.

The new device is said to combine the ability to monitor four biomarkers simultaneously with machine learning algorithms that use previous data to predict biomarker concentrations based on obtained data in real-time. If optimised and proven for use in humans, the device could help hospitals to more effectively monitor TBI.

In a statement, lead author Dr Yubing Hu, at Imperial’s Department of Chemical Engineering, said: “Our promising results indicate both accurate biomarker monitoring and precise predictions of injury progression which, after further development, could help clinicians monitor both patients’ brain health and response to treatment.”