Abnormal
blink pattern identification
Project summary
We built an application that helps to capture and analyze blink patterns to recognize neurological conditions. Data centralization, task automation, quicker diagnosis, accurate treatment – all thanks to having the insights.
Early detection can improve patient outcomes by up to 30-50% – so yes, both speed and accuracy are critical.
Project overview
We joined the project to assist a company that specializes in managing neuro diseases through videography. They reshape the diagnostics of traumatic brain injury and serious brain conditions.
- Their focus: Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, migraine, and other neurological diseases
- Their product: a pioneering, FDA-cleared technology for blink reflex assessment
Nearly half of subjects of traumatic brain injury don’t receive a follow-up in the next months after assessment. After the first assessment, they fall out instead of being closely monitored during recovery, and that is serious.
And that is exactly the type of issue we’re dedicated to solving.
Our company was approached to develop a bespoke mobile application for straightforward data management. The idea we brought to life: it’s connected to custom medical devices to allow for instant data access & review.
Let’s get into detail.
“They not only worked with us, they ended up creating the work and will be included in a few of our patents.”
“We started with only one project, but we were so happy with their work that we decided to expand that to a larger scope.”
Main goals
The project’s main goal was to deliver a mobile application, which would:
- Seamlessly connect to medical measuring devices via Bluetooth
- Notably facilitate operational processes associated with registered patient and test result management to provide data-driven decision-making and facilitate higher quality medical service
Blink-pattern diagnostics with intuitive mobile tools
How the solution works
The custom mobile application is designed to display the indicators previously measured by a medical device, which notifies healthcare professionals about abnormal blink patterns that may indicate traumatic brain injury. The application is intended to optimize data management and early disease detection.
This is how the delivered application is used:
- The custom measuring device stimulates the blink reflex
- The built-in high-speed cameras record the blink reflex capturing thousands of objective data points
- The results are measured, transferred to an encrypted cloud portal, and reviewed
- The application, connected to the device, is used for further data management
Utilizing the mobile application, healthcare professionals can access and review all relevant medical indicators. Such indicators may include blink latency, differential latency, eyelid excursions, lid velocity, the time to open and close the eye, as well as overall blink time.
The application includes the following functionality:
- User authorization
To provide data safety, the application’s core functionality includes authorization.
- Device section
In this particular section, the member can select, edit or delete devices.
- Subject section
In this app section, the user can filter, add, edit or delete patient profiles. The patient’s personal information may include first and last name, birth date, gender, photo, and relevant medical notes.
- Scan section
In this app section, the user can select scan types, and take, cancel, redo and save new scans. By reviewing saved scans, the clinicians can diagnose brain disorders at an early stage and provide appropriate treatment.
Our contribution
We covered:
- Custom mobile app development
Using Swift, we covered iOS development for simplified data management and delivered a tailor-made, functional application. - Device integration
At the next stage, our engineers:
1. Investigated the data formats of medical Bluetooth devices
2. Worked out an approach for the seamless extraction of data from the connected devices
3. Ensured the quick and smooth extraction of data from the mentioned devices - UX/UI design
At this project stage, our designer covered the application’s architecture for better conceptual understanding, keeping in mind both target audience and the client company’s industry-specific needs and its corporate style.
Main challenges
During the project’s scope, our team faced challenges related to:
Device scanning and connection
One of the project’s main challenges was ensuring seamless connection to a non-standard, custom IoT device. To optimize device discovery, seamless scanning and connection as well as further data retrieving, we utilized Core Bluetooth.
Database structure with multiple data tables and relations
Another challenge to mention was the correct structuring of data for its further connection and management. For flexible data management, which includes data retrieval, addition, filtering, and deletion, we implemented Core Data and built a flexible data wrapper.
User interface and navigation
Medical workers do spend more time navigating through digital records than on face-to-face communication. Utilizing the UIKit framework, custom designed UI elements and the coordinator pattern, our engineers successfully delivered an easy-to-navigate user interface to assist overwhelmed clinicians deliver high-quality medical services.
No more scattered measurements – only clear, unified insights
Tools and technologies
Programming language and frameworks:
- Swift
- Core Data
- Core Bluetooth
Services:
- Firebase Analytics
- Audio Unit
- Camera API
Timeline:
- October 2021 – July 2022
Team:
- 1 Project Manager
- 1 Business Analyst
- 1 Back-end Developer
- 1 Front-end Developer
- 1 DevOps engineer
- 1 UI/UX Designer
Value delivered to business
Our client obtained a custom-made product that can be sold to partners interested in operational digitalization. The designed mobile application is an on-demand solution, which might provide interested medical companies with the necessary functionality to optimize data management and improve important processes such as accurate diagnostics and early disease detection.
The delivered mobile application:
- Accelerates the investigation process
Medical professionals can share gathered information on the patient’s condition using their personal devices. This drives improved collaboration between clinicians, as well as accurate, data-driven diagnosis and treatment.
- Increases overall personnel productivity
Healthcare professionals can access and update relevant information avoiding standard paper bureaucracy. Such a routine optimization helps to reduce the daily workload of clinicians and allocate available resources more thought-out.