Tech Tuesday

Every other Tuesday, the Innovation Institute features a technology or collection of technologies from its portfolio of impactful innovations available for licensing or strategic partnering. This week we feature a device co-developed by innovators from Pitt and CMU that quickly and accurately diagnoses ear infections and prevent over-prescription of antibiotics.  The technology is spearheaded by Alejandro Hoberman, MD, Executive Vice Chair of Pediatrics, Vice Chair of Clinical Research, University of Pittsburgh.

Automated Diagnosis of Acute Ear Infections

SUMMARY:

• More than 20M prescriptions per year = $2B direct and $2B indirect costs
• Up to 50% of ear infection diagnoses are wrong
• Only 75% accuracy with experienced clinicians

There is a need for simple, reliable clinical decision support to improve AOM diagnosis and reduce unnecessary antimicrobial therapy.

This handheld, otoscope/iPhone device diagnoses otitis media by classifying tympanic membrane images.

• App captures eardrum videos and expert annotated descriptions
• IP-protected 8-feature algorithmic AI with built-in noisy frame rejection AI