MEDUSA Work Packages

WP1 Research and Algorithm Development (SUT, PJIIT, HiSF) - the objective is to develop methods and algorithms for automatic assessment of degree of synovitis by analysis of ultrasonic images of finger joints:

T.1.1. Development of efficient methods of image enhancement
T.1.2. Construction of robust image segmentation techniques
T.1.3. Elaboration of image colorization methods
T.1.4. Validation of the developed algorithms of image processing
T.1.5 Registering Articulated Models
T.1.6. Learning Class Models
T.1.7. Learning Partial Synovitis Estimators
T.1.8 Learning Integrated Synovitis Estimator
T.1.9 Estimator verification and refinement
T1.10 Technical and scientific coordination
T1.11. Web-based continuous dissemination of project progress
T1.12. Project promotion
T1.13. Scientific seminars (Norway & Poland)
T1.14. Scientific conferences (Norway & Poland)

WP2 System Training and Testing (PJIIT) - the image and annotation data will be divided into separate training and test sets. The software developed in WP-2 will be used to train the system using only the training set, then the test set will be used to evaluate the trained methods. The test results will be WP-2 to refine the models and methods, and the tests will be repeated.

T.2.1. Preparation of training and testing procedures
T.2.2. Training and testing feature detectors on data sets
T.2.3. Training and testing feature detectors and articulated models
T.2.4. Training and testing feature detectors, models and partial estimators
T.2.5. Training and testing feature detectors, models and synovitis estimator

WP3 Software Development (PJIIT) - database, ultrasound image annotation editor, research support implementation of methods and algorithms, Integrated system development, scripts for training and testing.

T.3.1 Database system construction
T.3.2. Development of annotation editors
T.3.3. Algorithms & methods implementation
T.3.4. Scripts preparation for training and testing
T.3.5. Creation of an integrated system

WP4 Medical Data Collection (HF, HiSF) - creation of ultrasound image database, which can be use in development of automatic system.

T4.1 Preparation of application materials required by Ethics Committee. It is necessary to obtain the approval before any data are collected. It requires establishing Norwegian group which can prepare and send application to Ethics committee
T4.2 Collection of anonymized ultrasound images. All patients have to sign informed consent before are included in the study. Data will be collected during standard routine visit at rheumatology department. There is possibility to obtain data from other hospitals/ patients.

WP5 Clinical Data Annotation (HiSF , HF) - to summarize annotated ultrasound images.

T.5.1 Annotation of ultrasound images. A human examiner will identify and mark in each image selected anatomical features such as bones and joints, outline the regions that show inflammation and add them to the image the human scores of the degree of synovitis.

WP6 Verification and Assessment of the Medical Diagnosis Platform  (HF, HiSF, ITAM) - test of clinical usefulness of informatics system.

T.6.1. Study protocol elaboration
T.6.2. Preparation of application materials for EC approval Ad. 1 and 2: All types of clinical studies require Ethics Committee approval. All participants (patients) have to give informed consent. In that part of the project we have to develop study protocol.
T.6.3. Selection and classification of patients. Patients with chronic arthritis, mainly rheumatoid arthritis, will be included. We will collect ultrasound and clinical data. Assessments done by human observer and the system will be compared.
T.6.4. Medical and statistical analysis of results. Medical and statistical analysis will be performed. Results will be published in report to primary investigator.

WP7 Risk management and precertification (ITAM)

T.7.1. Identification and verification of requirements. The requirements will be subject to adjustments needed throughout the course of the project according to the results of research and activities related to risk management.
T.7.2. The risk analysis for the proposed solutions and methods. Updated of risk management plan and requirements. The analysis will be repeated periodically during the project.
T.7.3. Verification of software modules and created documentation. Determining the degree of compliance with requirements.
T.7.4. Assessment the degree of compliance with the requirements of Council Directive 93/42/EEC and identification of actions needed to use the results in clinical practice. Used normative documents are not used in
order to meet the legal requirements but to ensure high quality and reliability of obtained results. Therefore, it is necessary to make separate assessment of compliance with the Council Directive 93/42/EEC.