CASE STUDY
Nocturnal seizure detection utilising artificial intelligence with video camera technology
UNMET NEED
There are several challenges associated with epilepsy monitoring and diagnosis. For example, events can be missed, seizure diaries can be inaccurate, and access to epilepsy monitoring units can be restricted or far away from patients’ homes. There can be delays in treatment for epilepsy and the effect of these treatments can be uncertain due to infrequent visits to the clinic. There can also be considerable uncertainty as to whether events are epileptic in origin and misdiagnosis rates are high. It can be particularly challenging to monitor events that occur at night in the home; hence new innovative technology to facilitate remote and accurate nocturnal recordings is required.
SOLUTION
Neuro Event Labs have created a specialised Nelli video camera that utilises artificial intelligence to identify nocturnal epilepsy seizures. The camera can be used at night in home or hospital settings to help clinical teams diagnose and treat epilepsy conditions reliably. The camera is able to extract epilepsy classification biomarkers from prospective audio and video recordings of seizures. Trained Nelli annotators review the algorithmic findings and write a report of findings showing the true seizure count, predicated seizure types, clusters, frequency, intensity, and duration. The epilepsy specialist requesting the Nelli investigation can review the report to accurately manage and treat the condition.
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT BEFORE WORKING WITH NIHR CYP MEDTECH
Basic idea
Concept development
Prototype development
Prototype validation
Clinical testing
Regulatory approval
Manufacturing
Commercially available
SUPPORT PROVIDED BY NIHR CYP MEDTECH
Access to NHS and NIHR infrastructure
Professor Helen Cross (Epilepsy, Muscle, and Movement Disorders Theme Lead) has a widespread network across multiple NHS sites and epilepsy centres, who are being contacted to be part of a larger study to facilitate testing and adoption of the Nelli camera monitoring system into clinical practice.
Clinical evaluation
Professor Helen Cross has provided advice to the project team on how to promote testing and evaluation, and how to allow data adoption of the epilepsy monitoring system across key NHS sites in the UK.
Support and guidance to secure funding
Professor Helen Cross led on a funding application to evaluate the value of the epilepsy monitoring system in the misdiagnosis of seizure events.
NEXT STEPS
Funding is being sought to evaluate the Nelli camera monitoring system in improving misdiagnosis of paediatric epilepsy events in a small pilot study coordinated by the Walton Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), Neuro Event Labs, and NIHR CYP MedTech.
IMPACT
The Nelli video camera monitoring system enables clinicians to perform quicker and accurate monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of children and young people (CYP) with epilepsy. Monitoring can be performed during the night both at home and in hospital. The effect of a treatment can be determined more accurately due to remote monitoring of the condition at home. This not only reduces the need for CYP and their families to travel to the epilepsy monitoring unit but also decreases the frequency of patient appointments and the need for prolonged, expensive hospital stays. The sophisticated camera system has had extremely positive feedback so far from CYP, families, and healthcare professionals.
FUNDING
Professor Helen Cross, The Walton Centre, Neuro Event Labs, and NIHR CYP MedTech are exploring funding options to evaluate the tool in alleviating misdiagnosis and determining true seizure counts.
PARTNERS
Last updated: 18 May 2022
